View File Does Not Show Subdirectories in MS-DOS Shell (77405)



The information in this article applies to:
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0

This article was previously published under Q77405

SUMMARY

Within MS-DOS 5.0 or later Shell, if files in the root directory can be viewed but files in other directories cannot, ensure that the Select Across Directories option is not active in the Options Menu. If it is inactive, the DOSSHELL.INI file may be corrupted.

MORE INFORMATION

The DOSSHELL.INI file can be recreated by expanding the appropriate file from the MS-DOS 5 or later Upgrade disks. The following list identifies the file to expand based on the monitor being used.
   Monitor          File to Expand
   -------          --------------

   Monochrome:      MONO.IN_
   CGA:             CGA.IN_
   EGA:             EGA.IN_
   EGA monochrome:  MONO.IN_
   VGA:             EGA.IN_
   VGA monochrome:  MONO.IN_
These files are located on disk 2 (3.5-inch format) or disk 3 (5.25-inch format). It is not necessary to replace other Shell files.

The DOSSHELL.INI file can be corrupted in several ways. The following are two common causes for a corrupt DOSSHELL.INI file:
    Not exiting Shell properly

    You must exit either by pressing ALT+F4, or by choosing Exit from the File menu. In both cases, wait for the DOS prompt to appear before turning the computer off. The DOSSHELL.INI is updated each time you exit Shell, so cutting power early can damage the file. Note: After pressing SHIFT+F9 to temporarily exit to a DOS prompt, type exit to return to Shell before exiting Shell.
    Editing the file with a word processor that saves the file in binary format

    If a text editor or word processor is used to modify the file, and its default file format is its own binary format, verify that the DOSSHELL.INI is saved as text only or ASCII format.
For additional information, query on the following words:

DOS and Shell and 5.0 and Select Across Directories


Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 10/13/2003
Keywords: KB77405