Q301484: Command Prompt Returns to Prompt Without Running App or CMD

Article: Q301484
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 2000,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbtool
Last Modified: 10-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Some DOS commands and 16-bit programs may not run from a command prompt. For
example, if you type the dir command, and then press ENTER, nothing is displayed
as shown in the following example:

  C:\> dir

  C:\>

CAUSE
=====

This behavior occurs because the ComSpec system environment variable is not
pointing to a valid location for Cmd.exe file. Command.com is dependent on the
Cmd.exe file. If you move or delete the Cmd.exe file, you will encounter this
behavior.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this behavior, run Cmd.exe from the location to which you moved it,
or update the ComSpec system environment variable to point to Cmd.exe.

To update ComSpec on a Windows NT 4.0-based computer:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click
  System.

2. On the Environment tab, click ComSpec.

3. In the Value box, type the location of the Cmd.exe file, and then click Set.
  The default setting is: %SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe.

4. Click Apply.

To update ComSpec on a Windows 2000-based computer:

- Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, double-click System, and
  then click Advanced.

- On the Environment tab, click ComSpec, and then click Edit.

- In the Variable Value box, type the location of the Cmd.exe file, and then
  click OK. The default setting is: %SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe.


MORE INFORMATION
================

This problem can occur after following the steps that are described on the
following Microsoft Web site:

  Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0 Security Checklist
  (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/iischk.asp#28)

In these directions, it is recommended to move the Cmd.exe file to a different
folder to make IIS more secure.

Additional query words: nothing happens

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Keywords          : kbenv kbtool 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro
Version           : :2000,4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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