here is my autoexec.bat: ====beginning of autoexec.bat=== @ECHO OFF PROMPT $p$g PATH C:\NET;C:\DOS;C:\turbop7\bin;C:\BORLANDC\BIN SET TEMP=C:\DOS doskey echo enter autoexec.bat ; go to the section that matches the current value of the CONFIG system variable goto %CONFIG% :normal_conf echo enter normal configuration goto end :debug_conf echo enter debug configuration goto end :net_conf echo enter net configuration C:\NET\net initialize C:\NET\nwlink C:\NET\net start rem c:\net\net start server goto end :end ====end of autoexec.bat=== Why does "Bad command or file name" show every time I restart the computer? What's more this message shows between "Enter autoexec.bat" and "enter XXX configuration" where XXX maybe normal, debug or net. I'm really confused about this.Anyone here can give a hint?

That may be caused by your comment line beginning with ";". Try the native batch comment identifier Rem and report if the annoiance stops.

That's likely it - semicolon can be used in config.sys, but not batch files. Double colon is an alternative :: Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience

doskey might also be the prob. as it might have been deleted. I use ;s in batch files but I haven't had a bad command or file name from them. Customer: Do you have any mouse pads? Salseman, pointing: Over there. Customer: Great!, will they be comadible with my computer.

The semicolon doesn't do anything at all, so the line go to the section that matches the current value of the CONFIG system variable (or a portion of it) attempts to execute - hence the 'bad command' message. REM Not even going to ask why you use semicolons in your batch files (in case you tell me) Once again your insights & obvious experience have proven invaluable, and your contributions here... well, they defy description. Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience

Thank you all very much. I write autoexec.bat according to an example in DOS help. You may find it in the section "MS-DOS Help: Multiple Configurations -- Examples".

Does the %CONFIG% variable method even apply to real DOS (6.22)? 98's boot disk uses it but gets it from config.sys [menu] and selection from the menu then setting the %CONFIG% variable. I find it a little hard to believe that 6.22 supports it at all (I don't have 6.22 or I would know). And according to the batch file posted, Shi is trying to use it as given from config.sys. May we also see config.sys? Also exact DOS version please.