Microsoft KB Archive/301484

= Command Prompt Returns to Prompt Without Running Application or Command =

Article ID: 301484

Article Last Modified on 9/12/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q301484



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:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, double-click System, and then click Advanced.
 * 2) On the Environment tab, click ComSpec, and then click Edit.
 * 3) 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

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

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB301484

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