X-DOS Version 5.0

Disk Operating System

User's Manual



























































COPYRIGHT NOTICE

X-DOS 5.0 is a copyrighted product and thus is protected by U.S. and
international copyright law. X-DOS 5.0 refers to the X-DOS operating
system, its utilities and help files as well as the manual. You are
granted a license to use X-DOS only under the terms and conditions
specified in this license agreement.

SHAREWARE DEFINITION

X-DOS 5.0 is distributed as a shareware software, which can be copied
and distributed by anybody as long as the content of X-DOS is not
altered. The 'Shareware' mark in the X-DOS boot up and copyright
screen should not be removed. X-DOS is not public domain software.
When you obtain a copy of X-DOS 5.0 from Bulletin Board System,
friends, computer clubs, or any other ways, you are granted the right
to try X-DOS on one computer for 21 days. If after this period of time
you decide to continue to use X-DOS, you must buy a registered version
from HBS.

REDISTRIBUTION OF X-DOS

You may redistribute your shareware version of X-DOS as long as the X-
DOS files are not modified. You cannot use any of X-DOS program files,
help files ... into another commercial package. However you are
entitled to distribute the X-DOS.SYS file freely if it is included in
a demo package for auto boot providing that this demo is distributed
free of charge.

DISCLAIMER

HBS Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents or use of this manual, and specifically disclaims any express
or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose. HBS Inc. reserves the right to make changes to its content,
at any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such
revisions or changes.

In no event shall HBS Inc. or its suppliers be liable for any damages
whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of
business profits, business interruption, loss of business information,
or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use
X-DOS, even if HBS Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such
damages.
Hitech Business Software Inc.Wilmington, Delaware

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

X-DOS is the registered trademark of Hitech Business Software Inc. All
trademarks mentioned in this manual are the registered trademarks of
their respective companies.














Chapter 1.

An Introduction to X-DOS
Introduction

X-DOS 5.0 is an enhanced Disk Operating System (DOS) for personal
computers. It runs on 8088, 8086, 80186, 80286, 80386, i486 and
compatible microprocessors and supports a wide variety of additional
hardware. X-DOS is versatile, fast, and user-friendly and is designed
as a replacement for other disk operating systems for personal
computers.
What is a Disk Operating System?

You may be wondering why you need a disk operating system like X-DOS
5.0 in the first place. The reason is simple; you will not be able to
run any existing application programs on your personal computer
without first loading a disk operating system. The disk operating
system is the link between the hardware (your computer) and the
software (any program you may wish to use on your computer). Without
going into too much detail, disk operating systems handle all input
and output between the computer, its peripheral equipment, and the
software program.
What is Special about X-DOS?

If you have a PC you must already be using a disk operating system, so
you may well may be wondering why you should switch to X-DOS. If you
start using X-DOS you will soon find out that there are many reasons.
X-DOS 5.0 has a user-friendly interface as well as an extensive help
on all commands, to guide you through the initial stages.
In addition, X-DOS 5.0 includes a number security measures that were
not previously available at the operating system level. These security
features include the following:
* Partition password protection for partitions on hard disks with the
FDISK command.
* Management of password protection on partitions with the LOCK and
UNLOCK commands.
* Read-Only protection for partitions on hard disks with the FDISK
command.
* File encryption with the ENCODE and DECODE commands.
* The capability to hide files and directories from prying eyes with
the ATTRIB command.
* Deletion of files so they cannot be undeleted with the WIPEFILE
command.
Besides protecting your data X-DOS also provides utilities to ensure
the integrity of your data. These features include:
* Checking of up to 256 files for a possible virus attack with the
VIRUSCHK command.
* Making FORMAT perform a SAFE FORMAT of diskettes and hard disks so
that all data can be recovered from an accidentally formatted hard
disk.
* Making CHKDSK perform a surface analysis of a diskette or hard disk
to check for bad sectors which may have developed since the




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disk(ette) was formatted.
* CHKDSK will mark any bad sectors unusable and try to recover any
data which is located in the same area (cluster) as the bad sector.
* Recovering of accidentally deleted files with the UNDEL command.
In addition to the above mentioned features, X-DOS 5.0 gives you many
other commands and utilities which are not included in other DOSs.

How to Use this Manual

Below is given a brief overview of the contents of each chapter in
this manual to enable you to quickly find the information you require.

Chapter 1. - An Introduction to X-DOS
A brief overview of the X-DOS operating system.

Chapter 2. - Special Terms and Features in X-DOS
An introduction to the terminology used when discussing the components
of an operating system. Most of this terminology is common to the
industry and experienced users will not need to read a large part of
this chapter.

This chapter also introduces some of the special features of X-DOS and
how X-DOS differs from other operating systems so we suggest that all
users glance through this chapter in order to appreciate some of the
advanced features of X-DOS.
Chapter 3. - Backing Up your X-DOS Diskette
Details of how to boot up your PC with the X-DOS operating diskette
and use the X-DOS Diskcopy command to create a backup copy of the
diskette. All users should read this chapter.

Chapter 4. - Installing X-DOS
This chapter provides an introduction to the files on the X-DOS
diskette and instructs you how to install X-DOS on a diskette or hard
disk using the X-DOS INSTALL program. A brief description of the
settings that can be automatically made in your CONFIG.SYS file using
the X-DOS INSTALL program is also given. All users should read this
chapter.

Chapter 5. - Internal Configuration Commands
A detailed description of the internal configuration commands that can
be entered in the CONFIG.SYS file, as introduced in Chapter 4. You can
refer to this chapter if you wish to understand more about the full
range of settings available with the X-DOS internal configuration
commands or would like to modify your CONFIG.SYS file.

Chapter 6. X-DOS Command Reference
A complete reference to all the internal and external X-DOS commands.
You should refer to this chapter when you do not understand how to use
a command and wish to fully understand the range of options available
with each command.

Chapter 7. - The X-DOS Batch Language




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A complete reference to the commands and parameters that can be used
to create batch files. Batch files, of which AUTOEXEC.BAT is the most
common example, can be used to automate repetitive tasks.

Chapter 8. - The X-DOS Shell
A complete explanation of how to use the X-DOS Shell, which provides a
full screen menu drive interface to carry out all your file and disk
drive operations. Instructions are also given as to how to use the
Applications function in the shell to create your own easy to use
menus to run your favorite programs.

Chapter 9. - The X-DOS Editor
Detailed instructions on all the functions of ED, the X-DOS full
screen editor.

Chapter 10. - The X-DOS Backup and Restore Program
Full instructions on using the XBACK program to backup the data on
your hard disk(s).

Chapter 11. - Debug Command Reference
A complete command reference for the X-DOS DEBUG program.

Chapter 12. - Using X-COM
Complete instructions as to how to use the X-COM data communications
program which can be run from the command line or from the X-DOS
shell. This chapter includes basic information about using a data
communications program and a detailed command reference.

Hardware Requirements

The following minimum system configuration is required for you to be
able to use the X-DOS 5.0 disk operating system on your personal
computer:
* A personal computer based on the Intel 8088, 8086, 80186, 80286,
80386, or 80486 microprocessor or compatible.
* A monochrome, Hercules, CGA, MCGA, EGA, or VGA graphics adapter and
supporting monitor.
* A minimum of 256K of memory recommended.
* One 360K, 720K, 1.2M, or 1.44M floppy drive.

















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