DOS for Dummies - Softcover

Gookin, Dan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1878058754 ISBN 13: 9781878058751

Publisher: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 1993

Synopsis

In the ephemeral world of computing, DOS For Dummies is a classic. A bestseller year after year, this fun and easy-to-understand DOS primer is as useful as ever, now with complete coverage of the latest version of DOS, Version 6.22. Whether you prefer not to use Windows or have perfectly good DOS-based applications unavailable for Windows, DOS For Dummies is your essential guide to everything from the regular chores of organizing files and optimizing hard disks to the occasional challenges of installing software drivers for new modems, printers, and other hardware devices. Author Dan Gookin also tells you what you need to know if you're moving from the DOS command-line interface to the Windows graphical user interface. Along the way, Gookin offers plenty of tips on getting the most out of DOS and out of your computer as a whole.

About this title

Review

The book that changed the way computer books are written and marketed has come out in a third edition. By and large, it's the same as the previous edition (advances in MS-DOS have not been numerous), but there is some new information here. Further, DOS for Dummies remains an entertaining book and if you use DOS, it's the book you want to assist you.

The basic idea of this book is that you can identify a problem you're having with your computer, ranging from how to turn the thing on to how to back up only the files that have changed since the last backup. You can then turn to the relevant section--the table of contents is very detailed--read a few pages, carry out some procedure, and move on to the next problem. You'll find sections on hardware, file management, text editing, and software installation. Later chapters deal with troubleshooting.

The newest material in this release of DOS for Dummies deals with DOS 6.22 and the DOS-like shell that you can use under Windows 95 and Windows 98. For users of the latest versions of Windows, Gookin demonstrates some relevant procedures. But most of the coverage deals with DOS itself and programs that are designed to run under DOS. There's even stuff about WordStar here (it's a little-known fact of history that the Rosetta stone was written with WordStar).

DOS for Dummies is funny, too, in a wry sort of way. What kind of joke is appropriate to a section about parallel ports, anyway? The author manages to infuse practically every passage with humor. Other computer books should make an effort to take themselves less seriously. The verdict: if you're using DOS--and more of you are than the Windows people would have us believe--this book will provide you with valuable help. --David Wall

From the Back Cover

"This is the best book ever written for a beginner." Chicago Tribune

Run DOS applications on your Windows PC

Your first aid kit for dealing with DOS

The fun and easy way to access legacy files and applications Before Windows, there was DOS. And with just a few mouse clicks, any Windows PC can revert to the original "Disk Operating System" from Microsoft. This friendly guide — the first-ever For DummiesŪ title — shows you how to work with DOS to resurrect all those old files, applications, and games.

About this edition

• Publisher: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 1878058754
• ISBN 13: 9781878058751
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 382