slimer@trsvax.UUCP (08/08/89)
Only two files must absolutely remain in the root. Using IBM DOS 3.3 as my base for discussion...it goes something like this: The very first two directory entries on the entire disk must contain the IBMBIO.COM and IBMDOS.COM (the two hidden files). This two files must exist if it is going to be at all bootable. Placing any other information on the disk prior to placing these system files will inadvertantly cause the disk to be unbootable with clearing the first two entries. There are only three mandatory files for the root directory. If you plan to move the COMMAND.COM file out of the root, you will have to create a CONFIG.SYS (must be in the root) that contains the statement... SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM C:\DOS there may be other paramters on the SHELL statement that will effect the environment space and whether or not to execute the AUTOEXEC.BAT (if you have one). Thus, it is mandatory to have three files in the root. Either (two hidden) and COMMAND.COM, or (two hidden) and CONFIG.SYS. You can add the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to your system, but it too must remain in the root. Now you have four files in the root dir. To clean things up I usually move the COMMAND.COM into a subdir and create a CONFIG.SYS file with the statement SHELL = C:\DOS3.3\COMMAND.COM C:\DOS3.3 /E:2048 /P This gives me 2K of environment space and will execute my AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Now go and hide your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. Now there are NO files listed in the root. I do this because there are times when a hidden COMMAND.COM can be a problem. I would rather hide the two configuration files than the primary processor. This should help clarify. **************************************************************************** * Thank You, texbell!letni!rwsys!trsvax!slimer * * Bill "We all live in a yellow subroutine." * * George W. Pogue, 1300 Two Tandy, Fort Worth, TX. 76102 (817) 390-3562 * ****************************************************************************