CONFIG.SYS commands

The Config.sys is the main configuration file used by OS/2, MS-DOS and other operating systems. Config.sys commands loads programs into the memory and sets ups the memory management of the system. The command shell is executed after the config.sys has been processed. After the command shell is loaded, the autoexec.bat file is processed.

CONFIG.SYS Commands

The CONFIG.SYS commands load programs into memory and manage the operation of your equipment. They are used only in the CONFIG.SYS file, with the exception of break commands. You can also include them in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file or type in the MS-DOS.

Typically, the CONFIG.SYS file contains only some of these commands.

Commands

The following table describes all the commands available in this file:

Break

Specifies whether MS-DOS must check the key combination CTRL + C or CTRL + PAUSE. For more information, type help to break the MS-DOS.

Buffers

Specifies the amount of memory reserved for data transfer between memory and disks. For more information, type help buffers at the MS-DOS.

Country

Defines the conventions to use. For more information, type help country at the MS-DOS.

Device

Loads an installable device manager. A device manager is a program that manages a physical element, such as the mouse or the memory card. For more information, device type help at the MS-DOS.

DEVICEHIGH

Loads an installable device manager in the upper memory area. For more information, type help DEVICEHIGH at the MS-DOS.

Back

Specifies whether MS-DOS must use the high memory area (HMA) and allows access to the upper memory area. For more information, type help back to the MS-DOS.

drivparm

Defines the characteristics of a disk drive. For more information, type help drivparm at the MS-DOS.

Files

Specifies the number of files that MS-DOS can open simultaneously. For more information, type help files in MS-DOS.

Install

Loads a program resident in memory. For more information, type help install at the MS-DOS.

Lastdrive

Sets the number of drive letters recognized by MS-DOS. For more information, type help lastdrive at the MS-DOS.

Numlock

Specifies whether the function of locking the keypad is initially turned on or not.

rem;

Introduces a comment line and not a command. Can also be used to disable a command. For more information, type help to replace the MS-DOS.

Set

Sets the value of environment variables such as TEMP or PROMPT. For more information, type help set the MS-DOS.

Shell

Configure COMMAND.COM or indicates that another command interpreter must be used. For more information, type help shell or help command to MS-DOS.

Stacks

Sets the amount of memory to reserve for the treatment of physical interruptions. For more information, type help stacks at the MS-DOS.

Switches

Specifies the use of the functions of a conventional keyboard, even if you use an extended keyboard. For more information, type help switches to the MS-DOS.

Example

The CONFIG.SYS file can also contain commands including: menucolor, menudefault and menuitem submenu.

Example command lines of a CONFIG.SYS file:

[menu]

menuitem = CD, Start with support for CD-ROM

menuitem = NOCD, Start without support CD-ROM

menuitem = HELP, View the Help file

menudefault = CD, 30

menucolor = 7.0

[CD]

himem.sys device = / testmem we

oakcdrom.sys device = / D: mscd001

device = btdosm.sys

device = flashpt.sys

btcdrom.sys device = / D: mscd001

device = aspi2dos.sys

device = aspi8dos.sys

device = aspi4dos.sys

device = aspi8u2.sys

aspicd.sys device = / D: mscd001

[NOCD]

himem.sys device = / testmem: off

[HELP]

himem.sys device = / testmem: off

[COMMON]

files = 10

buffers = 10

dos = high, umb

stacks = 9.256

DEVICEHIGH = ramdrive.sys / E 2048

lastdrive z =

device = display.sys con = (ega,, 1)

country = 033.850, country.sys

install = MODE.COM con cp prepare = ((850) EGA.CPI)

install = MODE.COM con cp select = 850

install = Keybom fr,, keyboard.sys

These command lines are for the boot disk with support for CD-ROM.

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