DOS Update System - Test Staff Guide

Document Version: 1.0

Date: January 19, 2026

Audience: Test Staff and Technicians

Prerequisites: Access to DOS test machines (TS-01 through TS-30)

Table of Contents

  1. Daily Operations
  2. First Time Setup
  3. Manual Operations
  4. Troubleshooting
  5. Quick Reference

Daily Operations

Starting your test machine:

  1. Power on DOS machine
  2. Wait for boot process
  3. System automatically downloads updates
  4. System automatically uploads test data
  5. See "System Ready" message
  6. Start testing

No manual commands needed - the system handles everything automatically.

Boot Sequence

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Microsoft(R) MS-DOS(R) Version 6.22 │ │ │ │ ============================================================== │ │ Dataforth Test Machine: TS-04 │ │ DOS 6.22 with Automatic Update System │ │ ============================================================== │ │ │ │ Starting network client... │ │ [OK] Network started │ │ │ │ Checking for software updates... │ │ [1/4] Updating batch files from T:\COMMON\ProdSW... │ │ [OK] No new batch files in COMMON │ │ [2/4] Updating machine-specific files... │ │ [SKIP] No machine-specific directory │ │ [3/4] Checking for system file updates... │ │ [OK] No system file updates │ │ [4/4] Checking for network client updates... │ │ [OK] No network client updates │ │ ============================================================== │ │ Update Complete │ │ ============================================================== │ │ │ │ Uploading test data to network... │ │ [1/3] Uploading batch files from C:\BAT... │ │ [OK] Batch files uploaded │ │ [2/3] Uploading programs and config from C:\ATE... │ │ [OK] Programs uploaded to ProdSW │ │ [3/3] Uploading test data to LOGS... │ │ [OK] Test data uploaded to LOGS (for database import) │ │ ============================================================== │ │ Upload Complete │ │ ============================================================== │ │ │ │ ============================================================== │ │ System Ready │ │ ============================================================== │ │ │ │ C:\> │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Boot time: 2-3 minutes

First Time Setup

For new or reformatted machines:

1 Boot Machine

You should see a black DOS screen with white text showing the machine name and a blinking cursor at the C:\> prompt.

2 Verify Network

Type:

DIR T:\

Should see COMMON and TS-XX folders.

3 Run Deployment

Type (replace XX with your machine number):

T:\UPDATE.BAT TS-04

The deployment script will start immediately and display the installation progress.

4 Watch Progress

============================================================== DOS Update System - Deployment ============================================================== Machine: TS-04 ============================================================== Installing automatic update system... Files to install: - AUTOEXEC.BAT (startup configuration) - NWTOC.BAT (download updates) - CTONW.BAT (upload test data) - UPDATE.BAT (full backup) - CHECKUPD.BAT (check updates) - STAGE.BAT (system file updates) - REBOOT.BAT (apply staged updates) Press any key to continue . . .

5 Deployment Complete

============================================================== Deployment Complete! ============================================================== Machine: TS-04 The automatic update system is now installed. ============================================================== REBOOT NOW ============================================================== Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to reboot

6 Reboot

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to reboot.

Manual Operations

Manual operations are optional. Use them when needed:

Check for Updates

C:\BAT\CHECKUPD

This displays a list of files on the network that are newer than your local files.

Download Updates Now

C:\BAT\NWTOC

This runs the same update process that happens automatically at boot. You'll see progress messages as files are downloaded.

Upload Test Data Now

C:\BAT\CTONW

This uploads your local test data and programs to the network. Progress messages show which files are being uploaded.

Troubleshooting

Network Not Available

Error: "T: drive not available"

Solution:

  1. Check network cable
  2. Restart network: C:\NET\STARTNET
  3. Wait 30 seconds
  4. Try: DIR T:\

If the network is working, DIR T:\ will show a directory listing. If not working, you'll see "Invalid drive specification".

Updates Not Downloading

Solution:

  1. Wait 15-20 minutes (for sync)
  2. Reboot machine
  3. Check DOS date/time: DATE and TIME
  4. Contact engineering if still not working

Boot Takes Too Long

Normal boot time: 2-3 minutes

If longer:

  1. Check network cable
  2. Press Ctrl+C to skip if stuck
  3. Contact IT

Quick Reference

Daily Operations

Boot machine → Wait for "System Ready" → Start testing

First Time Setup

T:\UPDATE.BAT TS-XX → Reboot → Done

Manual Commands

C:\BAT\CHECKUPD  - Check available updates
C:\BAT\NWTOC     - Download updates now
C:\BAT\CTONW     - Upload test data now

Troubleshooting

C:\NET\STARTNET  - Restart network
DATE             - Check DOS date
TIME             - Check DOS time
DIR T:\          - Verify network access

Emergency Contacts

Test Lead: [Contact]
Engineering: [Contact]
IT Support: [Contact]