CONFIG.SYS

The CONFIG.SYS file is a text file that contains special 
commands. These commands configure your computer's hardware 
components so that MS-DOS and applications can use them. When 
MS-DOS starts, it carries out the commands in the CONFIG.SYS 
file. Typically, the CONFIG.SYS file is located in the boot 
directory of drive C.

The following commands can be used in CONFIG.SYS:
<Buffers>                 <Files>
<Country>                 <Install>
<Device>                  <Lastdrive>
<Devicehigh>              <Numlock>
<Dos>                     <Shell>
<Drivparm>                <Stacks>
<Fcbs>                    <Switches>

Buffers: Specify buffer size for MS-DOS. If you use SMARTDRV, 
         use "BUFFERS=10" command. If you do not use SMARTDRV, 
         usually use "BUFFERS=15".

Files: Specify number of available open files at the same time 
       in MS-DOS. "FILES=20" is commonly used, and "FILES=40" is 
       better if you are using FOXPRO or other database programs 
       for MS-DOS.

Country: Specify country code (which will affect display and 
         keyboard layout). For more information, please see 
         MS-DOS Help.

Install: Run commands that can be run at MS-DOS prompt.

Device: Add a device driver. For more information, please see 
        MS-DOS Help.

Lastdrive: Specify the last available drive letter for MS-DOS. 
           You can use "LASTDRIVE=Z" to get the most available 
           drive letters, but this will take up more memory.

Devicehigh: Load device drivers into UMBs (if available).

Numlock: Specify NUMLOCK status: ON/OFF.

Dos: Specify whether MS-DOS should be loaded to HMA (DOS=HIGH), 
     and whether MS-DOS should support UMBs (DOS=UMB).

Shell: Specify command shell. By default, 
       "SHELL=COMMAND.COM /P".

Drivparm: Specify floppy drive parameters if necessary. For more 
          information, please refer to MS-DOS Help.

Stacks: Specify number of stacks to hold hardware interrupts. 
        Usually, use "STACKS=9,256".

Fcbs: Specify the number of FCBs provided by MS-DOS. For more 
      information, see MS-DOS Help.

Switches: Specify MS-DOS start-up options. For more information, 
          see MS-DOS Help.


There are other commands for MS-DOS start-up multi-
configuration. You can refer to MS-DOS Help for these commands.

To see how to optimize memory in MS-DOS, see my MS-DOS MemMaker 
or EMM386.EXE and HIMEM.SYS pages.

You can see here the CONFIG.SYS file of a Windows Millennium 
start-up disk. Notice that MS-DOS ver8.1 that goes with Windows 
Millennium Edition doesn't require HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE as 
XMS and EMS drivers. Previous versions of MS-DOS all require 
them.

-------- CONFIG.SYS --------

[menu]
menuitem=HELP, Help
menuitem=CD, Start computer with CD-ROM support.
menuitem=NOCD, Start computer without CD-ROM support.
menuitem=QUICK, Minimal Boot
menudefault=HELP,30
menucolor=7,0

[HELP]
device=oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001 
device=btdosm.sys 
device=flashpt.sys
device=btcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=aspi2dos.sys
device=aspi8dos.sys
device=aspi4dos.sys
device=aspi8u2.sys
device=aspicd.sys /D:mscd001
devicehigh=ramdrive.sys /E 2048

[CD]
device=oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001 
device=btdosm.sys 
device=flashpt.sys
device=btcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=aspi2dos.sys
device=aspi8dos.sys
device=aspi4dos.sys
device=aspi8u2.sys
device=aspicd.sys /D:mscd001
devicehigh=ramdrive.sys /E 2048

[NOCD]
devicehigh=ramdrive.sys /E 2048

[QUICK]

[COMMON]
files=10
buffers=10
dos=high,umb
stacks=9,256
lastdrive=z

-------- End of the file --------