MS-DOS - Help!?

[justjeni]

Hi all...my web host has a set up where you can place a log file on your server, but reading it is such a pain, I couldn't handle it, so I went looking for some type of software to help with this.  I found something called analog, which sounds really great, but for some customizing, you need to use MS-DOS - which i'm having grief with!  I'm not all that familar with it, but did find some good tuts on the 'net. Problem is, I can't get it to start out at just the C: drive - it keeps starting at C:windows\desktop.  No matter what prompts I try, it just keeps going back to the desktop and tells me I have "too many parameters".  It won't acced chdir, either- just stays on that blasted desktop.

Could/would anyone give me some help on this? I just can't figure out how to get it over to my program files - arg!  Thanks in advance!

[CoastPC]

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Chris>cd\    then enter

C:\>

Just type cd\  and hit enter,  cd= change directory
See the above example
Chris

[justjeni]

Thanks so much, but I did do that ,and it still just sits there on the desktop!  No matter what command I give it, I get "too many parameters" and it continues to say "C:Windows\Desktop and when I put in cd chdir, I get "Invalid Directory and underneath that, the C:\Windows\Desktop - could something be wrong with my MS DOS or is that a stupid question??  

[CoastPC]

Here is a quick tutorial >>  http://w3.aces.uiuc.edu/AIM/CCSOcourses/DOS-rev.html
Maybe, you just need a better understanding of DOS (Disk Operating System)
Its hard to understand, if the only OS your used to is Windows!
Please let me know if you have any problems after reading the Tut.
Chris

[ched]

"cd" and "chdir" are the same command.  If you want to use chdir, then at the prompt you'll type this.

"chdir\" (without the quote marks)

example:
what you see:

C:\Documents and Settings\yourname>

then you type in the command, and it will look like this before you press the enter key:

C:\Documents and Settings\yourname>chdir\

then press the enter key, and it will look like this:
C:\>

====================================
cd is an old internal (part of command.com) command, and can be used in place of chdir.

You won't see anything happen, you won't get any pop-ups, windows, or help screens with DOS - it's '0ld-sch00l'.

The command prompt, is sort of like sitting at your windows explorer, without any information being displayed.  If you typed in "dir" (without the quotes) and pressed the enter key - it would show you all the files and folders in the current directory - but that's getting away from your question.

type EITHER "cd\" (without the quotes) OR "chdir\" (without the quotes)

[justjeni]

Thanks, both of you so much - I bookmarked the tutorial and should have time to read it thoroughly Friday (moving...arg).  And Chet, thanks for those instructions - I copied them and will try them as soon as I have a chance.  It just seems no matter what command I give it, it won't go off that desktop.  I did do the dir command and it just listed everything on my desktop and that was it.  ?  Well, between that tut and chet's tips, maybe I can figure this out - I'll let you know - and thanks again!  

[greg]

i believe the command is /cd ..not cd\

or maybe it is just plain cd....can't remeber,

[Andy]

It's CD\ which means Change Directory to the root.

..\ goes back one place in the directory tree. Oh no, don't go there it goes on and on....

Oh dear, DOS lives  

For even more fun try / rather than \ in windows to get a file or a web page. No!!! I shouldn't of mentioned it... arrgghhh!

[ched]

dir ... ahhh, no .... list........... which OS are we in anyway ... lol

[Queen Bee]

I get to take Windows XP Command Line (DOS) next semester. Should be fun.

[ched]

would be an interesting class

[justjeni]

dir ... ahhh, no .... list........... which OS are we in anyway ... lol

I'm still stuck in Win ME, but I think I'm giving up.  I can't get this thing to work, nor can I get that program (or whatever it's called) to work, so  I think I'll remove it and forget it.    So, how about another question - does anyone know of any other software (free or fee) a person can use to read a log file??  

[ched]

if you mean server logs that track visitors to a website, I like weblog.
http://www.weblogexpert.com/

the lite version gives me the info I need (how many, from where, browser used, OS used, and search phrases used.)

The lite version doesn't give the path through your site, or exit point, - but you can purchase the full version that does.

[justjeni]

Thanks, Ched!  I was trying one called analog 5.32 - it sounded SO good, but I've wasted so much time fooling with it for nothing, its' time to move on! That analog 5.32 is free, but too much of a hassle for this dumb-head!     Anyway, I'll check out the one you recommended.  The file I would like to read in something better than Word is a log file my server provides, but it's a total mess in Word - would take days to sort out one log file and I just don't have that kind of time.  I also like the idea of being able to try the lite version - I don't mind buying something, but it sure is nice to know you can use it first!  

I'm back...lol...that log file looks great, Ched - I'm going to try the lite (the pro is a bit pricey, huh!) but may I ask you how you get it to read your log file, or is there a help file?  I can't seem to find anything on their site - or maybe I"m just not getting it.  But this sounds perfect for what I"m looking for, so thanks again!

Okay, editing done!

[justjeni]

Well, this looked so awesome, but when I tried to access my log file, I got this:

The analyzed log files don't contain any information, which can be analyzed by the program.
In most cases it means that the log files have format not supported by WebLog Expert Lite.

Click help to read more about this issue.

That help file was all Greek to me.  Blast it, too, this sounded perfect.  I'm not sure but I think the paid for version might support whatever it is the lite isn't supporting, but I can't swing that fee right now.  But thanks for the heads up on this, maybe one day I can try the pro and if it works, fork out the dough!