Microsoft DOS mode command
Quick links
About mode
Availability
Syntax
Examples
Additional Information
About mode
Mode status is used to view or modify a port or display setting.
Availability
The mode.com command is an external command that is available in the below Microsoft operating systems.
All Versions of MS-DOS
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows 7
Syntax
Configures system devices.
| Printer port: |
MODE LPTn[:] [COLS=c] [LINES=l] [RETRY=r] |
| Serial port: |
MODE COMm[:] [BAUD=b] [PARITY=p] [DATA=d] [STOP=s] [RETRY=r] |
| Device Status: |
MODE [device] [/STATUS] |
| Redirect printing: |
MODE LPTn[:]=COMm[:] |
| Prepare code page: |
MODE device CP PREPARE=((yyy[...]) [drive:][path]filename) |
| Select code page: |
MODE device CP SELECT=yyy |
| Refresh code page: |
MODE device CP REFRESH |
| Code page status: |
MODE device CP [/STATUS] |
| Display mode: |
MODE [display-adapter][,n]
MODE CON[:] [COLS=c] [LINES=n] |
| Typematic rate: |
MODE CON[:] [RATE=r DELAY=d] |
Examples
MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P
Set communications port COM1 to 9600 Baud, with no parity, 8 databits, 1 Stop Bit, and with XON/XOFF (These are the default settings). For those who are using Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT, it is recommend not to configure your communication port this way and instead configure it the appropriate way depending upon the operating system.
MODE CON: COLS=80 LINES=50
Change the output video settings for the directory structure in DOS to 80 columns by 50 lines. When receiving error Invalid parameter - x where x is the invalid parameter the lines
or cols specified is invalid setting.
MODE
Typing mode alone would display the current mode settings for all the ports as seen below.
Status for device LPT1: ----------------------- Printer output is not being rerouted. Status for device COM1: ----------------------- Baud: 1200 Parity: None Data Bits: 7 Stop Bits: 1 Timeout: OFF XON/XOFF: OFF CTS handshaking: OFF DSR handshaking: OFF DSR sensitivity: OFF DTR circuit: ON RTS circuit: ON Status for device COM2: ----------------------- Baud: 1200 Parity: None Data Bits: 7 Stop Bits: 1 Timeout: OFF XON/XOFF: OFF CTS handshaking: OFF DSR handshaking: OFF DSR sensitivity: OFF DTR circuit: ON RTS circuit: ON Status for device CON: ---------------------- Lines: 300 Columns: 80 Keyboard rate: 31 Keyboard delay: 1 Code page: |
