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Windows XP and DOS - Ask the COPY Command to Verify Files Were Written Correctly

SUMMARY: Help ensure the DOS COPY command in Windows XP accurately writes files, especially to external media.

When copying files using Windows XP's DOS prompt between a hard drive and removable media, or between media where it is questionable whether or not the destination is free from errors, you may want to perform an extra verify step. This helps ensure your files were written correctly.

Verification is also important when backing up files. If you plan on backing up files to external media and removing the source information, you should make sure the copying went smoothly and (hopefully) free of errors!

To perform post-write verification, add the "/v" parameter to the DOS COPY command before the source and destination filename(s).

For example, to copy the file "letter" from the current directory to a floppy disk, you may want to ensure the copy went smoothly as floppy disks are notorious for being error-prone. Thus, you can use the following command:

C:\>copy /v letter a:\