MS DOS Command: MODE.COM

Reference from Microsoft MS-DOS cmd help

Description

Configures system devices. The MODE command performs many different tasks, such as displaying system status, changing system settings, or reconfiguring ports or devices.

Remarks

Using the MODE command

Because the MODE command can perform many different tasks, the syntax necessary to carry out each task is different. The following is a list of tasks for which you can use the MODE command.

• Reconfiguring a printer attached to a parallel port (LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3) for printing at 80 or 132 characters per line, 6 or 8 lines per inch, or both (if the printer supports these features). For more information, see MODE (configure printer).
• Configuring the baud rate, parity, and number of data bits and stop bits of a serial port (COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4) for use with a specific printer, modem, or other serial device. For more information, see MODE (configure serial port).
• Displaying the status of all devices or of a single device. For more information, see MODE (display device status).
• Redirecting printer output from a parallel port to a serial port so that the serial port becomes the system's default printer port. For more information, see MODE (redirect printing).
• Preparing devices for character set (code page) switching. For more information, see MODE (set device code pages).
• Selecting another display adapter or changing the configuration of the current display adapter. For more information, see MODE (set display mode).
• Setting the keyboard's typematic rate. For more information, see MODE (set typematic rate).

Requirement for ANSI.SYS and DISPLAY.SYS

MODE can perform some tasks, such as setting the display mode, only if you have included a DEVICE command for the ANSI.SYS device driver in your CONFIG.SYS file. You must install DISPLAY.SYS to use MODE (set device code pages) for character-set switching.

Adding mode commands to AUTOEXEC.BAT

Although you can type each form of the MODE command at the command prompt, you can also use MODE commands within your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to reconfigure your system automatically each time you turn on or restart your computer.