OLD computer question - Copying a file from the DOS prompt

[NewJeffCT]

My brother has a program on an old computer that he wants to copy to a newer computer. It's a really old computer, but still functioning. However, the only way to seemingly copy the file is from the DOS prompt, and it's been so long that I remember nothing about copying from the DOS prompt. This computer doesn't even have Windows Explorer.

[Deja Q]

1. Hmmm

At the C:\> prompt

COPY (source path/file) (destination path/file)

e.g.

COPY C:\BIGFOLDER\BIGFILE.EXE A:\

This would copy the source file from C:\BIGFOLDER to the root of the A: (floppy) drive.

I'm presuming that computer only has an A: floppy drive for removable data?


(there are other methods to copy, but transferring files manually via floppy is likely the least expensive way to do so...)

[rug]

2. A useful copy cat.

[NewJeffCT]

7. however

how do I get the directories to display? I'm not exactly sure of where the file is located.

[seaglass]

8. DIR at the prompt. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

3. what hypnotoad said, plus

at the prompt type "help copy" and a display of switches will appear --- this can cut the work considerably if you're doing something other than a simple copy.

also, "help" alone will generate a list of the common commands, in case you want to "move" or something else rather than copy.

Also, wildcards supported : both * for everything this side of the dot and ? for single letter wildcards.
For example, to copy all files named CRAP regardless of extension, specify crap.*

I am not a geek.;)

[Deja Q]

4. The OP's query was aimed at copying.

And don't worry. I would not lie about the fact I am a stupid oaf. ;)

[Gormy Cuss]

5. At the DOS prompt, that's

C:/hypnotoad/stupid/oaf.*

:+

[Deja Q]

6. Hint taken.

;)