"NET NOT RECOGNIZED AS A COMMAND" et al

[bill]

I got this issue and error when trying to execute a NET STOP command
to fix the update not working issue.

"NET NOT RECOGNIZED AS A COMMAND"

OK so I know what the problem is - the PATH isn't working.

I have verified that, BUT the PATH variable appears correct and I
re-entered it.

I was able to type the long path command and it works
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\NET STOP ....

If I type %systemroot% I get back C:\WINDOWS not recognized as a
command.

So the system knows what %systemroot% is
the first item in PATH=%systemroot%\system32;.........
NET.EXE is in system32
BUT typing NET STOP at the command prompt gets me the error.

Even if I open the cmd prompt in the system32 folder I get the same
error.

everything works the same if I rename notepad.exe to test.exe and type
TEST.

WHY & How to fix pplleeaasseeeee.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I got this issue and error when trying to execute a NET STOP command
to fix the update not working issue.

"NET NOT RECOGNIZED AS A COMMAND"

OK so I know what the problem is - the PATH isn't working.

I have verified that, BUT the PATH variable appears correct and I
re-entered it.

I was able to type the long path command and it works
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\NET STOP ....

If I type %systemroot% I get back C:\WINDOWS not recognized as a
command.

So the system knows what %systemroot% is
the first item in PATH=%systemroot%\system32;.........
NET.EXE is in system32
BUT typing NET STOP at the command prompt gets me the error.

Even if I open the cmd prompt in the system32 folder I get the same
error.

everything works the same if I rename notepad.exe to test.exe and type
TEST.

WHY & How to fix pplleeaasseeeee.

Some of the items you report appear contradictory. However, the
usual cause for this problem is an invalid value type for the %path%
variable. I assume that your path shows up as

%systemroot%\system32;......... at the Command Prompt, which
is wrong. It should show up as
c:\windows\system32;........

Have a look at the value
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment\Path

I suspect it is a Reg_SZ value. It should be a Reg_Expand_SZ value.

 

[bill]

NOW I HAVE RCVD SOME ANSWERS FROM MVPs BEFORE, BUT AS AN ENGINEER AND
PROFESSIONAL I LIKED AND APPRECIATED THAT ANSWER MOST.

NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT WAS RIGHT ON.


Now, how did that entry get changed that way?
I THINK it was right after I reinstalled the system, but since I had
96 updates to apply maybe it wasn't.

THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT RESPONSE!