What is an Config.sys file?

What are the configuration commands used?

The config.sys file is found in the root directory of the C: drive (or other boot drive) of every PC. The config.sys tells MS-DOS which peripherals and devices are installed on your computer. Only in MS-DOS 4.0 or higher, may programs may be started in config.sys.

The following commands may be used as entries in a CONFIG.SYS file for DOS version 5.0. For DOS 6.0 and higher, to see help on all DOS commands and on CONFIG.SYS commands, at the DOS prompt type:

help

Note: when changing the contents of your CONFIG.SYS file, be sure to use a text editor or a word processor in text mode.

break

Specifies the status of checking for CTRL/C and CTRL/BREAK.

buffers

Sets the amount of memory MS-DOS uses for storing information transferred to and from a disk.

country

Specifies which country language convention to use.

device

Loads a device driver into memory.

devicehigh

Loads a device driver into upper memory.

dos

Specifies the area of memory where MS-DOS will reside, and whether to use upper memory.

drivparm

Sets the characteristics of a disk drive.

fcbs

Sets the number of file control blocks that MS-DOS may open concurrently.

files

Specifies the number of files MS-DOS that may be open at the same time.

install

Runs a resident TSR (terminate and stay resident) program while DOS reads CONFIG.SYS.

lastdrive

Sets the letter of valid drives.

rem

Marks a entry as descriptive text or comment and not to be executed.

shell

Changes the operation of the COMMAND.COM interpreter.

stacks

Sets the amount of memory MS-DOS reserves for processing hardware interrupts.

switches

Specifies the use of conventional keyboard format despite presence of an enhanced keyboard.