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DOS 2.5 works with any ready-made cartridge-based program
that
runs
on your ATARI Computer - even programs that pre-
date DOS
2.5,
including the AtariWriter™ word processor and
ATARI
BASIC.
With these and other cartridge-based
programs,
you can always use DOS 2.5
instead
of DOS 2.0S to prepare
data diskettes and manage
files.
Many diskette-based programs designed for use with the
earlier DOS 2.05 can also be converted from
DOS
2.0S to
DOS
2.5,
although you may have to continue to use
DOS
2.0S
with certain protected diskette programs (see your program
user's manual if you are unsure whether a program is
protected).
How to Use This Manual
This manual is designed to serve everyone from the beginning
computer user to the advanced programmer. It includes two
sections that introduce the XF551 Disk Drive and
DOS,
a
detailed guide to all the capabilities for
DOS
2.5,
a section of
more
technical
information primarily for
programmers,
and
several appendices. Appendix
J
,
a brief glossary of terms
used in talking about
DOS,
may be particularly helpful to the
beginner.
As you work with this
manual,
consult the glossary
whenever you are unsure of a term's meaning.
If you
just
purchased your first disk
drive,
you should start with
Section
1,
"Your ATARI XF551
Disk
Drive,"
which provides simple
instructions for setting up and using your
drive.
Section
2,
"Getting Started with DOS 2.5,
~
introduces you to
the most frequently used functions of
DOS.
With step-by-step
instructions,
it explains how to
load
DOS into your
computer,
prepare
diskettes to
store
files,
duplicate
diskettes,
name and
refer to your
files,
and copy and erase files. Most
importantly,
it explains how to make a System
Diskette,
or working copy
of DOS.
This
is a very important procedure that you should
not neglect before going on
to
learn
more
about
DOS.
To
go
through the examples and exercises in this
section,
you will
need
at least three blank
diskettes,
one to
make
your System
Diskette
and two to
use
as practice data
diskettes.
Since some
vii
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