Command Prompt does not accept commands

Question

Hello!

I have been looking all over for a solution for my problem, but since i can't find it in help/support or in forums i will just throw it out there and see if anyone has had the same issue too.

I use the cmd (command prompt) occassionally for checking my internet connectivity status (IP, DNS, etc), so i use it lightly and only know a couple of commands such as 'ipconfig', 'help', 'config /all' and so forth, but recently any command that i put in is not accepted and instead i get this message: "'[command I inserted]' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable progam or batch file."

Does anyone have any idea of why I'm getting this message for ANY command i type in?

The only thing that produced a different result was when i typed: cd \ which only changed the prompt to the C:\ drive.

I am worried that i can't access this feature.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks~!

Gruffly78 · Answer

running in Vista?  Don't forget about 'run as administrator'... some commands won't run if cmd.exe doesn't have admin rights.  Of course most of what you've mentioned should be ok.. I remember having a similar problem on my first pure vista install, it wouldn't let me run anything in the windows folder (where ipconfig.exe and others etc... are located).  Message Edited by Gruffly78 on 09-23-2008 05:48 PM

cd60 · Answer

Did you download or make any changes prior to this happening?

Anginsan08 · Answer

Thanks for the quick response!

The problem has been there for a while now, 5 months maybe, and just now is that i have time to sit down and try to solve it. But yes, i have downloaded and installed many applications and software since i detected the problem so it would be a nightmare to try and figure out if something like that is what is causing the problem :(

I remember messing with the registry key but following directions from either a technical support tutorial, or with a live tech. support person, not on my own.

I have Windows XP Professional and i have installed from what i can remember

From before i knew of the cmd issue:

1) Adobe Creative Suite

2) Kaspersky Internet Security

3) Mavis Beacon Typing

4) Drivers for different periferals: webcam, scanner, printer, flash drives, etc.

5) Online software such as: Greenprint, iTunes, Flash, ActiveX, ......and others.

After I already knew of the problem i have installed:

1) Windows Service Pack 3

2) Internet Explorer 8 Beta

3) Windows Silverlight

4) Dell Support Center (free online application from Dell)

....As you can see, it could be a number of things, i just have no idea where to start.

Help!

ElkWapiti · Answer

One thing to check:

My Computer-> right click-> Properties->Advanced->Environment Variables->System variables and find “PATH”.

Add C:\windows\system32 at the end if not already present.

The exe file you are trying to run is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. You should be able to use CD to get to this directory and run it directly if need be.

Another option is to copy the ipconfig.exe file from c:\windows\system32 and place it in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator folder. This last folder is where run looks to execute files.

cd60 · Answer

What type of PC do you have and what are the specs?

Garred · Answer

You should get something back like this:  PATH=C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem Message Edited by Garred on 09-23-2008 09:17 PM

Cuestix · Answer

SUCCESS! I tried everything in your post up before the last paragraph and that fixed the problem for me, thanks a bunch!!

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Command Prompt does not accept commands

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