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the question itself has already been answered... DOS asked the user on bootup, because the computer did not include a clock that could track time when the power was off (it didn't have any CMOS either, all settings were made using dip switches on the MB) -- later systems added CMOS, and a battery powered clock

which is why, if the system doesn't have any autoexec.bat file, DOS assumes that the system is too old to have a clock, and asks the user (adding even an empty autoexec.bat tells DOS that the user is overriding the defaults, and thus it will get the time/date from the system unless otherwise specified in the file)

That explains the autoexec bit. Not being a random fact, it actually tied to the point.

JAAman wrote:the question itself has already been answered...

It was. As far as i know, DOS 1's computers didnt store the date, but by looking at the videos ive seen on it, it stores the time.


So ive designed my time/date system around that. Question answered.