claudetools/projects/dataforth-dos/documentation/DOS_FIX_SUMMARY.md

# DOS 6.22 UPDATE.BAT Fix - Executive Summary

## Problem

UPDATE.BAT failed on TS-4R Dataforth test machine:
1. Could not identify machine name automatically
2. Reported "T: not available" even though T: drive was accessible

## Root Causes

### Issue 1: Machine Name Detection
- **Problem:** UPDATE.BAT tried to use %COMPUTERNAME% environment variable
- **Cause:** DOS 6.22 does NOT set %COMPUTERNAME% (Windows 95+ feature only)
- **Fix:** Use %MACHINE% variable set in AUTOEXEC.BAT instead

### Issue 2: T: Drive Detection
- **Problem:** Batch script checked wrong condition for drive existence
- **Likely causes:**
  - Used `IF "%TDRIVE%"==""` (checks variable, not drive)
  - Or used `IF EXIST T:\` (unreliable in DOS 6.22)
- **Fix:** Use proper DOS 6.22 drive test: `T: 2>NUL` and `IF EXIST T:\NUL`

### Issue 3: DOS 6.22 Limitations
- No `IF /I` (case-insensitive) - requires checking both cases
- No `%ERRORLEVEL%` variable - must use `IF ERRORLEVEL n` syntax
- No `||` or `&&` operators - must use GOTO for flow control
- 8.3 filenames only

## Solution

Created three fixed batch files:

### 1. UPDATE.BAT (D:\ClaudeTools\UPDATE.BAT)
**Fixed backup script with:**
- Machine name from %MACHINE% environment variable OR command-line parameter
- Proper T: drive detection using `T: 2>NUL` test
- Comprehensive error handling with visible messages
- Compact console output (errors pause, success doesn't)
- XCOPY with optimal flags for incremental backup

**Usage:**
```
UPDATE              REM Use MACHINE variable from AUTOEXEC.BAT
UPDATE TS-4R        REM Override with manual machine name
```

### 2. AUTOEXEC.BAT (D:\ClaudeTools\AUTOEXEC.BAT)
**Updated startup script with:**
- `SET MACHINE=TS-4R` for automatic machine identification
- Call to STARTNET.BAT for network initialization
- Optional automatic backup on boot (commented out by default)
- Network drive status display
- Error handling if network fails

**Customize for each machine:**
```
SET MACHINE=TS-4R    REM Change to TS-7A, TS-12B, etc.
```

### 3. STARTNET.BAT (D:\ClaudeTools\STARTNET.BAT)
**Network initialization with:**
- Start Microsoft Network Client
- Map T: to \\D2TESTNAS\test
- Map X: to \\D2TESTNAS\datasheets
- Error messages for each failure point

## Files Created

| File | Purpose | Location |
|------|---------|----------|
| UPDATE.BAT | Fixed backup script | Deploy to C:\BATCH\ |
| AUTOEXEC.BAT | Updated startup script | Deploy to C:\ |
| STARTNET.BAT | Network initialization | Deploy to C:\NET\ |
| DOS_BATCH_ANALYSIS.md | Technical analysis | Reference only |
| DOS_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md | Complete deployment guide | Reference only |
| DOS_FIX_SUMMARY.md | This summary | Reference only |

## Deployment (Quick Version)

### Step 1: Backup existing files
```
MD C:\BACKUP
COPY C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT C:\BACKUP\AUTOEXEC.OLD
COPY C:\NET\STARTNET.BAT C:\BACKUP\STARTNET.OLD
```

### Step 2: Copy new files to DOS machine
- Copy UPDATE.BAT to C:\BATCH\
- Copy AUTOEXEC.BAT to C:\
- Copy STARTNET.BAT to C:\NET\

### Step 3: Edit AUTOEXEC.BAT for this machine
```
EDIT C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT
REM Change: SET MACHINE=TS-4R
REM to match actual machine name
```

### Step 4: Create required directory
```
MD C:\BATCH
```

### Step 5: Reboot and test
```
REBOOT
```

### Step 6: Test UPDATE.BAT
```
UPDATE
```

## Expected Boot Sequence

With fixed files, boot should show:

```
==============================================================
  Dataforth Test Machine: TS-4R
  DOS 6.22 with Network Client
==============================================================

Starting network client...

[OK] Network client started
[OK] T: mapped to \\D2TESTNAS\test
[OK] X: mapped to \\D2TESTNAS\datasheets

Network Drives:
  T: = \\D2TESTNAS\test
  X: = \\D2TESTNAS\datasheets

System ready.

Commands:
  UPDATE       - Backup C: to T:\TS-4R\BACKUP
  CTONW        - Copy files C: to network
  NWTOC        - Copy files network to C:

C:\>
```

## Expected UPDATE.BAT Output

```
C:\>UPDATE

Checking network drive T:...
[OK] T: drive accessible

==============================================================
Backup: Machine TS-4R
==============================================================
Source: C:\
Target: T:\TS-4R\BACKUP

[OK] Backup directory ready

Starting backup...
This may take several minutes depending on file count.

[OK] Backup completed successfully

Files backed up to: T:\TS-4R\BACKUP

C:\>
```

## Key Improvements

1. **Machine detection now works:**
   - Uses %MACHINE% environment variable (set in AUTOEXEC.BAT)
   - Falls back to command-line parameter if variable not set
   - Clear error message if both missing

2. **T: drive detection fixed:**
   - Actually tests if drive exists (not just variable)
   - Uses DOS 6.22 compatible method
   - Clear error with troubleshooting steps if unavailable

3. **Console output improved:**
   - Compact status messages
   - Errors pause automatically (PAUSE command)
   - Success messages don't require keypress
   - No |MORE pipes (cause issues in batch files)

4. **Error handling comprehensive:**
   - Each failure point has specific error message
   - Suggests troubleshooting steps
   - ERRORLEVEL checked for all critical operations

5. **Automatic backup option:**
   - Can enable in AUTOEXEC.BAT (3 lines to uncomment)
   - Runs silently if successful
   - Pauses on error so messages visible

## Testing Checklist

- [ ] MACHINE variable set after boot (`SET` command shows it)
- [ ] T: drive accessible (`T:` and `DIR` work)
- [ ] X: drive accessible (`X:` and `DIR` work)
- [ ] UPDATE without parameter works (uses %MACHINE%)
- [ ] UPDATE TS-4R with parameter works (overrides %MACHINE%)
- [ ] Backup creates T:\TS-4R\BACKUP directory
- [ ] Files copied to network successfully
- [ ] Error message if network disconnected (unplug cable test)
- [ ] Error message if T: unmapped (NET USE T: /DELETE test)

## Troubleshooting Quick Reference

**MACHINE variable not set:**
- Check AUTOEXEC.BAT has `SET MACHINE=TS-4R`
- Verify AUTOEXEC.BAT runs at boot
- Check CONFIG.SYS has `SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM C:\DOS\ /P /E:1024`

**T: drive not accessible:**
- Run `C:\NET\STARTNET.BAT` manually
- Check network cable connected
- Verify NAS server online from another machine
- Test `NET VIEW \\D2TESTNAS`

**UPDATE.BAT not found:**
- Check file exists: `DIR C:\BATCH\UPDATE.BAT`
- Add to PATH: `SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\NET;C:\BATCH;C:\`
- Or run with full path: `C:\BATCH\UPDATE.BAT`

## For Complete Details

See:
- **DOS_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md** - Full deployment and testing procedures
- **DOS_BATCH_ANALYSIS.md** - Technical analysis of issues and solutions

## DOS 6.22 Boot Sequence Reference

```
1. BIOS POST
2. Load DOS kernel
   - IO.SYS
   - MSDOS.SYS
   - COMMAND.COM
3. Process CONFIG.SYS
   - DEVICE=C:\NET\PROTMAN.DOS
   - DEVICE=C:\NET\NE2000.DOS (or other NIC driver)
   - DEVICE=C:\NET\NETBEUI.DOS
4. Process AUTOEXEC.BAT
   - SET MACHINE=TS-4R
   - SET PATH=C:\DOS;C:\NET;C:\BATCH
   - CALL C:\NET\STARTNET.BAT
5. STARTNET.BAT runs
   - NET START
   - NET USE T: \\D2TESTNAS\test
   - NET USE X: \\D2TESTNAS\datasheets
6. (Optional) CALL C:\BATCH\UPDATE.BAT
7. DOS prompt ready
```

## Why Manual XCOPY Worked

The user's manual command worked:
```
XCOPY /S C:\*.* T:\TS-4R\BACKUP
```

Because:
1. User ran it AFTER network was started (T: already mapped)
2. User manually typed machine name (TS-4R)
3. Command was simple (no error checking needed)

UPDATE.BAT failed because:
1. Tried to detect machine name automatically (failed - no %COMPUTERNAME% in DOS)
2. Tried to check if T: available (used wrong method)
3. Had complex error handling that itself had bugs

The fixed version:
1. Uses %MACHINE% from AUTOEXEC.BAT (set at boot)
2. Actually tests T: drive properly (DOS 6.22 compatible method)
3. Has simple, working error handling

## Version History

- **Version 1.0** (Original) - Failed with machine detection and drive check
- **Version 2.0** (2026-01-19) - Fixed for DOS 6.22 compatibility

## Contact

Files created by Claude (Anthropic)
For Dataforth test machine maintenance
Date: 2026-01-19