Chapter 1 - Getting Started

Sonu Yadav

Getting to DOS

To run QBASIC we need to get to DOS.

If you are using Windows 7, you might need to use dosbox. 

If you are using Windows XP, it is called the "Command Prompt" and you can get to it by clicking on Start, then All Programs, then Accessories, then Command Prompt.

In Windows 2000, it is called the "Command Prompt" and you can find it by clicking on Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then Command Prompt.

In Windows NT 4, I believe it was called the "Command Prompt". Try the steps described for Windows 2000 above.

In Windows ME, click on "Start", then "Programs", then "Accessories", then "MS-DOS Prompt".

In Windows 98, try the Windows 95 steps above, then try the Windows ME steps below. It is the same as one of those, but I don't have a Windows 98 machine handy to test.

In Windows 95, click on "Start", then "Programs", then "MS-DOS Prompt".

If you are using Windows 3.1, you'll need to find the "Main" program group and look for an icon called "MS-DOS Prompt". Double-click on it to get the "C:\WINDOWS>_" prompt in a black window with white text.

You will get the black window with the "C:\WINDOWS>_" prompt.

Now you're ready for the next step.

Starting QBASIC

QBASIC may not be on your computer. Don't be alarmed. At the "C:\WINDOWS>_" prompt, try typing:

     qbasic

and press the <Enter> key.

If you get a blue screen with something about a "Survival Guide", you made it!

If instead you got something about a "Bad command or file name",

Survival Guide?

We won't be using the survival guide right now, so press the <Esc> (escape) key to get the big blank blue screen.

Now we're ready to program.

Getting Out

If you need to leave QBASIC, you can click on "File" on QBASIC's menu and then "Exit" to get back to DOS.

At the "C:\WINDOWS>_" prompt, type:

     exit

and then press the <Enter> key to get rid of the DOS window.