HP 95LX - Page 124

Booting Up vs. Power On
Unlike a standard PC, which boots the system each time the power is turned on—
the HP 95LX preservesits state while the power is off so that, when you turnit back
on, you're exactly where you were when you left off. That is, the Palmtop does not
boot the system unless it detects that data has been corrupted while the power was
off. If you want to re-boot the system, you must close all applications and press
CTRUHALT)}HDEL). This is called a warm start. Whenever you do actually boot the
system, control is given to the System Manager.
The HP 95LX’s “smart” (ON) key is usually very convenient. But if you find yourself
longing to modify the boot-up procedure so that you can take better advantage of
DOS, there are two files you can use:
e RAUTOEXEC .BAT is an optional batch file that directs DOS to perform a
series of short tasks each time a PC is booted (i.e. started up).
CONFIG .SYSisan optional file that “teaches” DOS what to expect about its
operating environment—in particular, what devices are attached, where to
look for important files, and which system defaults must be changed.
Neither of these files exist until you create them. When you boot your HP 95LX,
the built-in DOS goes looking for a CONF IG . SYS file. Ifit finds one and if that
file tells it to use a different control program (¥SYSMGR vs. COMMAND .COM—
see page 115), then it will give control over to that program. Otherwise, it will
choose $SYSMGR (the System Manager) by default.
An AUTOEXEC .BAT file is a file that will run automatically upon boot-up if the
DOS COMMAND control program is in charge. Thus, to use the customizations
offered by CONF IG .SYS and AUTOEXEC .BAT, you must boot-up in DOS
instead of the System Manager. The trick is to create a CONF IG . SYS file that
changes the default control program to DOS’s COMMAND . COM:
1. Press (8) to move to Memo Editor.
2. Type shel l=command.com -p and press (ENTER).
3. Save the file: Press (MENU), (Flile, (Slave, = <[«[<)<]<), type CONF 19 . SYS, and
press ENTER).
124 6. RunNING/CONTROLLING PROGRAMS