DOCUMENT:Q301484 10-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Command Prompt Returns to Prompt Without Running App or CMD PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::2000,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kbtool ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kbtool Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbwin2000Serv kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro Version : :2000,4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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 2001.