Computer Does Not Shut Down and You Receive a "System Could Not Find the Environment Option That Was Entered" Error Message When You Schedule a Shutdown Task by Using the AT Command (820524)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you schedule your computer to shut down by using the Shutdown.exe command-line utility with the at command, the computer does not shut down. When the scheduled shutdown task starts, you may receive the following error message:
The system could not find the environment option that was entered.

CAUSE

This problem occurs in situations where Shutdown.exe cannot access the UserDomain environment variable. The shutdown task that is scheduled by using the at command runs under the System account. When the task is run under the System account, the UserDomain environment variable cannot be accessed because it does not exist.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix Information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File Information

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version      Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   15-May-2003  23:39  5.2.3790.25  27,648  Shutdown.exe     
   09-May-2003  05:07                  211  Branches.inf
   16-May-2003  01:05               10,091  Kb820524.cat
   15-May-2003  23:56                  354  Updatebr.inf
   15-May-2003  23:56                5,036  Update_rtmqfe.inf

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, create a "dummy" UserDomain environment variable for use when you schedule a shutdown task by using the at command. To do so:
  1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Environment Variables.
  3. Under System variables, click New.
  4. In the Variable name box, type UserDomain, type any value in the Variable value box, and then click OK.

    Note You can type any value that you want to use in the Variable value box.
  5. Click OK, click OK, and then click OK.
  6. Restart the computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the shutdown command, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/proddocs/entserver/shutdown.asp

For more information about the at command, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/proddocs/entserver/at.asp

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/27/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbWinServ2003preSP1fix KB820524
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