Q151211: Nested Batch Files in Logon Script Hangs at Execution

Article: Q151211
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:3.5,3.51 WFW:3.11 Win95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 09-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51 
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

A DOS window appears on a client computer and shows the logon script executing.
The logon script finishes, but the Windows NT logon script (in Windows 95) or
the Lan Manager logon script (in Windows for Workgroups) dialog box appears and
displays the following message:

  Please wait while your logon script executes...

The client computer stops responding until you click Cancel.

CAUSE
=====

The Windows NT logon script contains a nested batch file and the current
directory is changed in the nested batch file as shown in the following logon
script example. Assume Test1.bat and test2.bat are located in the
Repl\Imports\Scripts directory and Gandalf is a Windows NT Server 3.51 Primary
Domain Controller (PDC) with no service packs installed.

The logon script contains only one line:

  test1.bat

Test1.bat contains the following lines:

NET USE K: \\Gandalf\Netlogon k:\test2.bat

Test2.bat contains the following lines:

  net use P: \\Gandalf\Sms_shr
  net use y: \\Gandalf\Sms_pkgd
  P:
  CD\            <---- line causing the logon script dialog box to hang
                 until you click Cancel

  COPY CL_Dos.txt C:\Temp

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, change the nested batch file code for Test2.bat so
that it avoids using the Change Directory (Cd) command:

  net use P: \\Gandalf\Sms_shr
  net use y: \\Gandalf\Sms_pkgd
  COPY p:\CL_Dos.txt C:\Temp

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. We are
researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt login scripts nested batch file logon scripts
======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbAudDeveloper kbWin95search kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWFW311
Version           : WinNT:3.5,3.51 WFW:3.11 Win95

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.