MS-DOS
Pre-graphical PC system
MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was the dominant operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s.
Users typed commands at a text prompt rather than clicking icons: C:\>dir listed files, C:\>cd changed directories.
MS-DOS lives on in Windows through the command prompt, still useful for certain tasks.
The name is pronounced as individual letters: em-ess-doss.
Able to start system
Text-based computer interface
- text-basedConveyed through writing
- cursorOn-screen position indicator
- shellHard outer covering
- menu-drivenControlled via selectable options
1981 personal computer standard
- 386Intel processor generation
- 486Integer after 485
- PentiumIntel microprocessor line
- CompaqDefunct PC manufacturer
Tandy · compatibles · clone · EMS
Multinational technology corporation
- RedmondWashington tech hub
- WindowsMicrosoft operating system
- licensingGranting official permission
- bundlingGrouping items as one
Bill Gates · OEM · acquisition · monopoly · antitrust · upgrade · retail · partnership
DOS boot configuration
- device driverSoftware enabling hardware communication
- executableDirectly runnable program file
- COMSerial port designation
- BATBrave ecosystem cryptocurrency
batch file · FAT · directory · subdirectory
Incite to action
Evoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
- emulationCopying to rival
- abandonwareUnsupported, discontinued programs
- classic gamesLong-established recreational activities
nostalgia · obsolete · deprecated · Windows 95 · virtual machine · preservation · retrocomputing
bootable
Able to start system
- boot diskMedia that initializes computers
- startupNew business enterprise
- POSTStartup hardware verification
BIOS · floppy disk · hard drive · partition
command line
Text-based computer interface
- text-basedConveyed through writing
- cursorOn-screen position indicator
- shellHard outer covering
menu-driven · monochrome · VGA
IBM PC
1981 personal computer standard
Compaq · Tandy · compatibles · clone · EMS
IBM
Multinational technology corporation
Bill Gates · bundling · OEM · acquisition · monopoly · antitrust · upgrade · retail · partnership
CONFIG.SYS
DOS boot configuration
- device driverSoftware enabling hardware communication
- executableDirectly runnable program file
- COMSerial port designation
BAT · batch file · FAT · directory · subdirectory
prompt
Incite to action
type · path · rename · echo · set · format · mode · tree · more · find
retro
Evoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
- emulationCopying to rival
- abandonwareUnsupported, discontinued programs
classic games · nostalgia · obsolete · deprecated · Windows 95 · virtual machine · preservation · retrocomputing
- MicrosoftWindows, Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Vista
- obsolete techfloppy disk, VHS, dial-up modem, cassette tape, floppy disks
- Computing HistoryENIAC, UNIVAC, mainframe, mainframes, punch card
- retro computingApple II, ENIAC, IBM PC, Commodore, Atari
- retro softwareWordPerfect, Windows 3.1, Norton, BASIC, Netscape Navigator
- DOS Computingcommand line, CONFIG.SYS, batch file, batch files, boot disk
MS-DOSWindows
Microsoft operating system
graphical user interface · GUI · macOS · Mac OS · Windows 95
MS-DOSMac OS
Apple's computer platform
Linux · Unix · Apple II · Commodore 64
MS-DOSWindows 10
Microsoft's 2015 desktop platform
Windows 11 · macOS · cloud computing · Chrome OS · iOS