Help - Can't run DOS commands in Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

[Steve]

All of a sudden I find that I cannot run DOS commands like Sysedit from the
DOS prompt in WIndows XP Service Pack 2. I can see the files when I type
DIR, but when I try to run the commands, I get an error that WIndows cannot
find the file. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

All of a sudden I find that I cannot run DOS commands like Sysedit from the
DOS prompt in WIndows XP Service Pack 2. I can see the files when I type
DIR, but when I try to run the commands, I get an error that WIndows cannot
find the file. Any thoughts? Thanks.

This answer assumes that Windows XP is installed in the folder
"C:\Windows". If it's installed in a different folder, substitute
that folder for "C:\Windows" below.

In a command prompt window, type this command, which shows a list of
folders where Windows looks for command names:

echo %Path%

If the output from the command doesn't contain "C:\Windows\System32",
enter this command to add it:

set Path=C:\Windows\System32;%Path%

If that fixes the problem, close the command prompt window and follow
these steps to make the Path change permanent:

1. Open the System control panel by clicking "Start | Control Panel |
System" or "Start | Control Panel | Performance and Maintenance |
System".

2. Click the Advanced tab.

3. Click the Environment Variables button.

4. Click "Path" in the "System variables" window.

5. Click Edit.

6. Add "C:\Windows\System32;" to the start of the variable value.

7. Click OK twice.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Steve]

Thanks for your response. I see that c:\windows\system32 is the first path
set. However, I still cannot run sysedit (windows xp can't find it). Any
other thoughts?

Thanks again.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thanks for your response. I see that c:\windows\system32 is the first path
set. However, I still cannot run sysedit (windows xp can't find it). Any
other thoughts?

Thanks again.

You're welcome. What happens if you type this command?

c:\windows\system32\sysedit.exe

If that command doesn't work, what does the error message say, and
what is the exact value of the Path variable?

Does the problem only happen for Sysedit? What about other commands,
like Atrrib, Calc, Mshearts?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com