DOS Commands

Frequently I need to boot to the DOS Prompt to deal with
some files that may not be accessible within the Windows
environment. More often than not, it becomes very tedious
to having to retype long entries when navigating thru
folders and subfolders after entering incorrectly typed
commands on the first try or when going forward or
backwards in the search of the files(s) of interest.
My questions a
1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?

2. What is the best command to change File attributes for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?
Example: I have used Index.dat QV that shows hidden
subfolders, like
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\Index.dat
To deal with that Index.dat File I need to issue the
command cd\windows\history\ and since the History.IE5
is a hidden File, I would need to change its attribute by
typing: (the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5
then type Dir to see if History.ie5 is shown
If not shown, I would have to go over the whole process.
If shown, I would have to change the Attribute of the
Index.dat by typing
(the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5\Index.dat
Then type the Command Dir to see if Index.dat is there.

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?

Using Windows98SE
Sorry for this long write-up.
Thank you to anyone who may be interested and willing to
help!

*Some* of your issues can be resolved by loading DOSKEY at the start of the DOS
session, and using it to recall past commands.
Type DOSKEY /?
to see the optional parameters, and learn to use it.

You can use your back arrow key to go to a point in a command line and change just
part of it, without typing the whole command over.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"BP" wrote in message
...
Frequently I need to boot to the DOS Prompt to deal with
some files that may not be accessible within the Windows
environment. More often than not, it becomes very tedious
to having to retype long entries when navigating thru
folders and subfolders after entering incorrectly typed
commands on the first try or when going forward or
backwards in the search of the files(s) of interest.
My questions a
1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?

2. What is the best command to change File attributes for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?
Example: I have used Index.dat QV that shows hidden
subfolders, like
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\Index.dat
To deal with that Index.dat File I need to issue the
command cd\windows\history\ and since the History.IE5
is a hidden File, I would need to change its attribute by
typing: (the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5
then type Dir to see if History.ie5 is shown
If not shown, I would have to go over the whole process.
If shown, I would have to change the Attribute of the
Index.dat by typing
(the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5\Index.dat
Then type the Command Dir to see if Index.dat is there.

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?

Using Windows98SE
Sorry for this long write-up.
Thank you to anyone who may be interested and willing to
help!

Thank you, Glen!
Will get busy on your suggestios.

-----Original Message-----
*Some* of your issues can be resolved by loading DOSKEY
at the start of the DOS
session, and using it to recall past commands.
Type DOSKEY /?
to see the optional parameters, and learn to use it.

You can use your back arrow key to go to a point in a
command line and change just
part of it, without typing the whole command over.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Hope I understood all the Q's right...

1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?
dir /ah

2. What is the best command to change File attributes for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?
attrib -a -r -h -s /s

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?
cd \windows\folder
cd .. -= gets you to c:\windows
cd .\foler2 -= gets you to c:\windows\folder\folder2

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?
Above

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want
to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?
?...

Are you trying to manually delete all the items in the
History in DOS?

BP,
If you are using DOS and you are in the System subdirectory under
Windows main directory and you want to go back to just the Windows directory
without typing the whole string over again, at the C:\Windows\System command
prompt type in [cd..] without the brackets, and hit enter. That will take
you back to C:\Windows and this works in any subdirectory at any level on
any drives' main directory or partition.
Also if you are at the C:\Windows command prompt and would like to go
into the System subdirectory without typing in cd\windows\system and hitting
enter just type in [cd system] with a space between cd and system as shown,
and hit enter.
If you are searching for a particular file under a main or subdirectory
there is several easy ways to do this so I will just give you a few ideas,
but you can experiment with these easily after you understand the basic
concept or format to use. At any prompt (I'll just say C: for now), you can
type in [dir *.txt/p/w] and this will list to you only all the txt files in
whatever directory you are currently in or its' subdirectory if that is where
you are currently in. That's if you don't know the filename (note the
wildcard *), but you do know the file extension. /p/w just tells DOS to list
the results by (p)age and to list several pages of results into one single
(w)indow just in case there are 100's of txt files in that directory or
subdirectory. You can also switch the wildcard around if you know the
filename, but do not know the filename extension. And if you don't remember
the filename, but you know it begins with a certain letter like g...then you
can type in [dir g*.exe/p/w] and that will give you all the exe files in that
directory or subdirectory which begin with the letter g. There's a lot of
shortcuts and more efficient ways to navigate or utilize DOS commands than
you'd probably expect. I learned most on my own, but you can also get quick
reference books at any computer section in a bookstore, or even find a lot of
them online just by searching DOS Commands into a search field of any browser
and you can also use DOS itself to learn a few filename abbreviations as
commands in the C:\Windows\Command subdirectory as one example. I think
between all the replys here we've all your answers and more! Good Luck!
SC

chop chop...
concept or format to use. At any prompt (I'll just say
C: for now), you can
type in [dir *.txt/p/w] and this will list to you only
all the txt files in
whatever directory you are currently in or its'
subdirectory if that is where
you are currently in.

You can add [/s] to that to make it [dir *.txt /p /w /s]
and it will search in the current directory your are in,
and all its subdirectories (recurSive).

Btw, mustn't there be a space after *.txt? otherwise DOS
might think you want a really odd file extension?

Thanks, Travis!
Not trying to delete anything. That was an example that I
thought might show the string of Folders and Subfolders
that could come into play for explaining my questions.
Your response does show shortcuts that may answer some of
my questions. I need to try them, assuming I understood
them correctly.

I assume these commands are entered at the C:\ prompt.

dir /ah h = hidden not sure about 'a'
Dos this command show all hidden files?

attrib -a -r -h -s /s I assume this disables the hidden
attribute for all hidden files.

cd \windows\folder
cd .. -= gets you to c:\windows
cd .\folder2 -= gets you to c:\windows\folder\folder2
This is great!

These are the sort of things I was hoping would be
available. Thank you, again!

-------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
Hope I understood all the Q's right...

1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?
dir /ah

2. What is the best command to change File attributes
for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?
attrib -a -r -h -s /s

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?
cd \windows\folder
cd .. -= gets you to c:\windows
cd .\foler2 -= gets you to c:\windows\folder\folder2

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?
Above

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want
to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?
?...

Are you trying to manually delete all the items in the
History in DOS?
.

Thank you, SC!
Simply overwhelming amount of information from all of
you...Glen, Travis and you.
I just hope to understand and make good use of your
suggestions.
-----------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
BP,
If you are using DOS and you are in the System
subdirectory under
Windows main directory and you want to go back to just
the Windows directory
without typing the whole string over again, at the
C:\Windows\System command
prompt type in [cd..] without the brackets, and hit
enter. That will take
you back to C:\Windows and this works in any
subdirectory at any level on
any drives' main directory or partition.
Also if you are at the C:\Windows command prompt
and would like to go
into the System subdirectory without typing in
cd\windows\system and hitting
enter just type in [cd system] with a space between cd
and system as shown,
and hit enter.
If you are searching for a particular file under a
main or subdirectory
there is several easy ways to do this so I will just give
you a few ideas,
but you can experiment with these easily after you
understand the basic
concept or format to use. At any prompt (I'll just say
C: for now), you can
type in [dir *.txt/p/w] and this will list to you only
all the txt files in
whatever directory you are currently in or its'
subdirectory if that is where
you are currently in. That's if you don't know the
filename (note the
wildcard *), but you do know the file extension. /p/w
just tells DOS to list
the results by (p)age and to list several pages of
results into one single
(w)indow just in case there are 100's of txt files in
that directory or
subdirectory. You can also switch the wildcard around if
you know the
filename, but do not know the filename extension. And if
you don't remember
the filename, but you know it begins with a certain
letter like g...then you
can type in [dir g*.exe/p/w] and that will give you all
the exe files in that
directory or subdirectory which begin with the letter g.
There's a lot of
shortcuts and more efficient ways to navigate or utilize
DOS commands than
you'd probably expect. I learned most on my own, but you
can also get quick
reference books at any computer section in a bookstore,
or even find a lot of
them online just by searching DOS Commands into a search
field of any browser
and you can also use DOS itself to learn a few filename
abbreviations as
commands in the C:\Windows\Command subdirectory as one
example. I think
between all the replys here we've all your answers and
more! Good Luck!
SC
.

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:01:16 -0700, "BP"

Frequently I need to boot to the DOS Prompt to deal with
some files that may not be accessible within the Windows
environment. More often than not, it becomes very tedious
to having to retype long entries

LH DOSKey /Insert

After that, you get a command prompt that catches up with what
1980-era home computers would consider standard - i.e. you can edit
(rather than backspace) your command line, and use Up arrow to scroll
through previous commands, just as nature intended.

1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?

Dir /A shows all files, irrespective of hidden or system attributes

2. What is the best command to change File attributes for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?

Attrib -s {filename} clears system attribute
Attrib +s {filename} sets system attribute
Attrib -h {filename} clears hidden attribute
Attrib +h {filename} sets hidden attribute

Use Attrib /S to recurse into subdirs, but be careful you don't affect
things that should be left alone! For example...

Attrib -r -s -h C:\Windows /S

....would clear these attributes off the Fonts folder, and certain
things would be broken by that alone.

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?

Eh?

Example: I have used Index.dat QV that shows hidden
subfolders, like
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\Index.dat
To deal with that Index.dat File I need to issue the
command cd\windows\history\ and since the History.IE5
is a hidden File, I would need to change its attribute by
typing: (the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5
then type Dir to see if History.ie5 is shown
If not shown, I would have to go over the whole process.
If shown, I would have to change the Attribute of the
Index.dat by typing
(the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5\Index.dat
Then type the Command Dir to see if Index.dat is there.

You may find Dir /A /S will fail to show items in directories
("folders") that are themselves hidden, system, etc.

You can either clear the attributes on those directories first, or use
something like LL3.exe /L (or other 3rd-partyware) that can recurse
and manage files like DOSShell or better. It's generally a good idea
to operate on files under direct vision than to wildcard around,
especially when you are recursing into subtrees as well.

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?

CD .. goes up a level. Use DOSKey to reduce retyping.

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?

Use DOSKey to reduce retyping.

Bind DOSKey into "Exit to DOS.pif" 's private Autoexec.bat, or
DOSStart.bat, and into Command.com's Properties as the "batch file".



--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -
Hello DOS mode my old friend
I've come to hack with you again
--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -

That DOSKEY is being mentioned frequently by all you
experts. I really appreciate the suggestions.
Just wondering if I will be sharp enough to take good
advantage of it all. Thanks cquirke and all!
---------------------

-----Original Message-----
On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:01:16 -0700, "BP"

Frequently I need to boot to the DOS Prompt to deal with
some files that may not be accessible within the Windows
environment. More often than not, it becomes very
tedious
to having to retype long entries

LH DOSKey /Insert

After that, you get a command prompt that catches up with
what
1980-era home computers would consider standard - i.e.
you can edit
(rather than backspace) your command line, and use Up
arrow to scroll
through previous commands, just as nature intended.

1. What are the Commands most successful to search for a
hidden file while at the C:\ Prompt?

Dir /A shows all files, irrespective of hidden or system
attributes

2. What is the best command to change File attributes
for
one or more files in a given Folder and at what stage in
the depth of Subfolders.....main Folder or Subs?

Attrib -s {filename} clears system attribute
Attrib +s {filename} sets system attribute
Attrib -h {filename} clears hidden attribute
Attrib +h {filename} sets hidden attribute

Use Attrib /S to recurse into subdirs, but be careful you
don't affect
things that should be left alone! For example...

Attrib -r -s -h C:\Windows /S

....would clear these attributes off the Fonts folder,
and certain
things would be broken by that alone.

3. When in a main Folder that has subfolders which, in
turn, have other subfolders....,are there ways to avoid
retyping cd\ commands to go search the various
subfolders when the string is broken by other Commands
like a Dir?

Eh?

Example: I have used Index.dat QV that shows hidden
subfolders, like
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\Index.dat
To deal with that Index.dat File I need to issue the
command cd\windows\history\ and since the
History.IE5
is a hidden File, I would need to change its attribute
by
typing: (the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5
then type Dir to see if History.ie5 is shown
If not shown, I would have to go over the whole process.
If shown, I would have to change the Attribute of the
Index.dat by typing
(the command for attribute change) plus
c:\windows\history\history.ie5\Index.dat
Then type the Command Dir to see if Index.dat is there.

You may find Dir /A /S will fail to show items in
directories
("folders") that are themselves hidden, system, etc.

You can either clear the attributes on those directories
first, or use
something like LL3.exe /L (or other 3rd-partyware) that
can recurse
and manage files like DOSShell or better. It's generally
a good idea
to operate on files under direct vision than to wildcard
around,
especially when you are recursing into subtrees as well.

4. If a Folder has only one Subfolder, is there a way to
navigate between the two of them without retyping the
whole Command line each time?

CD .. goes up a level. Use DOSKey to reduce retyping.

5. If for some reason I go part way to the appropriate
subdirectory and issue a Dir at a given moment and want
to
continue to the next lower subfolder, would I have to
retype the entire line (since F1 or F3 is no longer
available) or is there some shortcut?

Use DOSKey to reduce retyping.

Bind DOSKey into "Exit to DOS.pif" 's private
Autoexec.bat, or
DOSStart.bat, and into Command.com's Properties as
the "batch file".



--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -
Hello DOS mode my old friend
I've come to hack with you again
--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -
.