command prompt

[willdwilly]

When I try to use the command prompt, it starts as
C:\ documents and settings\kelly>
and there seems to be no way I can change directory. Any one have clue as to what is wrong? Kelly

 

[ashpp]

Thats normal, what happens when you CD\ ?

 

[shaner66]

Nothing is wrong. Use the command "CD" (without quotes) to change the directory.

ie "CD C:\Documents and Settings\Kelly\My pictures"

Just run a google search for "learn dos" or "dos commands" or anything along those lines.

 

[willdwilly]

Hey fellas I know what the CD command is for ,IT dosn't work. Thers no way to change directory as in the old dos. Kelly

 

[bcastner]

It works exactly the same.
You have some other issue.

 

[willdwilly]

bcastner: I know how its supposed to work, and i realise there is probably some thing else, but what I'm buggered. Seems to me I have heard of a small utility that lets you put the command prompt in any directory . Kelly

 

[wolluf]

wildwilly - there's a power toy that lets you start a command prompt from context menu for any drive or folder. wouldn't cure the problem - but see if that works.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

PS. What happens if you create a shortcut to cmd.exe with 'start in' NOT set to %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%?

 

[bcastner]

You might let use take a peek at your startup settings and programs that autorun at startup. I am concerned that some viri and other pests selectively block access to various windows .exe files. Use this tool, check to let it create a .txt or log file, and post the results back here:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_starttrack.htm

 

[Freestone]

"Hey fellas I know what the CD command is for ,IT dosn't work."

wildwilly - Would you please give us an example of your CD syntax and any error messages it gives?

 

[willdwilly]

bcastner:I ran that ute and this is what came up
-- Running Processes --
System Idle Process
System
smss.exe \SystemRoot\System32\smss.exe
csrss.exe
winlogon.exe winlogon.exe
services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost -k rpcss
svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
spoolsv.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
explorer.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
CCAPP.EXE "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
WinDesktopNotes.exe "C:\Program Files\WinDesktopNotes\WinDesktopNotes.exe" /minimized
hpztsb04.exe "C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe"
msmsgs.exe "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
zonealarm.exe "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zonealarm.exe"
CCEVTMGR.EXE "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe"
NAVAPSVC.EXE "C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe"
NPROTECT.EXE "C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\AdvTools\NPROTECT.EXE"
nvsvc32.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
vsmon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe -service
MailWasher.exe "C:\Program Files\MailWasher\MailWasher.exe"
IMApp.exe C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\IMApp.exe -Embedding
WINZIP32.EXE C:\PROGRA~1\WINZIP\winzip32.exe "E:\Downloads\StartupTracker3.zip"
StartupTracker3.exe "C:\Documents and Settings\Kelly\Local Settings\Temp\StartupTracker3.exe"
wmiprvse.exe . Kelly

 

[bcastner]

You look clean.


This is very strange. You can run the 16-bit interpreter under XP. Start, Run, command.com

Can you cd \ Now?

 

[compgirlfhredi]

Kelly, when I am at my command prompt
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>, I do not use the 'cd' prompt to change the directory...I simply type A: and hit the enter key or D: and hit the enter key. Can you get it to work simply doing this?

 

[bcastner]

A: and D: are not going to change directories, they change drives.

 

[compgirlfhredi]

Select the properties for your command prompt:
Start->Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt and then right-click

What does the &quot;start in&quot; window say?

 

[Cooker]

Use your file manager and find the cmd.exe, it's in your windows system32 directory. Then copy it to what ever directory you want to start in then go to that spot and run it from there.

 

[compgirlfhredi]

bcastner, sorry, posted before reread, won't happen again.

 

[ashpp]

Kelly you still haven't said what happens when you type CD, or CD\ or CD\directory. What happens - an error, nothing?

 

[willdwilly]

I'll try to aswer all. I still cant CD, Nothing happens , no matter what command I enter.I moved the cmd.exe file and it still ,no gn the Start> Run > command .com ,it works fine!!!.I have to say it again , thanks to all who aswered and gave suggestions. GREAT BUNCH !!!!! THANKS. Kelly

 

[bcastner]

1. If you right-click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Environmental Variables, look in the lower box for the PATH variable, edit, does it look exactly like this at the start:

%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;

2. What is the date, timestamp and filesize of CMD.EXE?
is it 367K, Dated: 8/23/2001 at 8:00 AM ?

3. If you Ctrl-Alt-Del at the desktop, does the Task Manager run? If you Start, Run, regedit does the registry editor run?

 

[gigahertz]

It sounds like there are user restrictions on your machine, either by NTFS security permission settings or by Group Policy Settings. Does your logon ID have local administrator priveleges? Disregard this if you can get to the directories through MY Computer or Windows Explorer ...
Also, you might check the properties on your DOS Prompt shortcut > Security? and under Advanced &quot;Run with different credentials?&quot; ...