Cannot run some programs from command prompt

even if you start >run >cmd {enter}

ipconfig?

Yes.  Here is a few attempts.

C:\>ipconfig
'ipconfig' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\>notepad
'notepad' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\>c:\windows\notepad

C:\>

try running this

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm

bah sorry wrong link this one http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/exefile.htm

Try

echo %PATH%

on the command prompt. That environment variable *should* contain your system32 directory. If not, add it.

Hi
I'd check this too. I think that you may just need to set the paths to the files you're trying to run first. Make sure you add the correct path to the system32 directory,
How to set the path in Windows 2000 / Windows XP.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000549.htm

Deb :))

Your path is INVALID due to the DEFAULT directory presented at the run>cmd.
Do this: Click START>RUN>type cmd
Then: type "cd c:\" without the qoutes. This will bring you to the raw C:\ prompt.
Now type your command.

cd means "change directory"
Don't forget to include a space between cd and c:\
If done properly the next line should look automatically appear and look like this:
C:\

I have 8 years of DOS experience and overall 10 years of computing experience.

C:\Documents and Settings\Admin>cd\

C:\>notepad
'notepad' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\>path
PATH=%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM;%SYSTEMROOT%\
COMMAND;%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM;C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\version3.0\bin

C:\>c:\windows\notepad

C:\>See that worked.

In your case (XP) it should be C:\WINDOWS

Debsyl99, no that did not work.  And thanks, I know the systemroot dir for windows xp.

Now HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment\path is reg_expand_sz with the value of:

%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM;%SYSTEMROOT%\COMMAND;%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM;C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\version3.0\bin

And it still doesnt work.  Anyone second my notion to repair install?

"" And thanks, I know the systemroot dir for windows xp."" - I think we understand that. I don't think anyone here thinks that you are somehow less than able when it comes to this. You do need to bear in mind that it isn't always easy to ascertain the level of a person's ability from a few sentences if you're not psychic. Posting the correct directory was being thorough, an EE habit as once/if this becomes a PAQ people may read it who maybe don't know as much as you do.
Options to try are system file checker - sfc /scannow (again being thorough) , repair install, re-apply service pack,

I apologize, this is frustrating for me beacuse I carry myself as a pc near-expert.  And now I got a problem I can't solve.

Now, sfc doesn't like any xp pro cd I feed it at all, so thats out.

I'll repair install after work today.

No probs - it does do your head in when you feel you should be able to fix it and you can't - I know that feeling well. Everything can be fixed (even if it ends up in a bin - problems gone at least;-)) - It's just not always possible to do it the easy way. Anyway we haven't fixed it either so you should feel better!

Definitely sounds like an issue with the %systemroot% variable - maybe a slight registry corruption somewhere? I'd maybe re-install the service pack first - what are you on SP1? Anyway, I'm out of options really on this one - (nothing in your event logs remotely relevant is there?)
So whatever call you make is probably as good as anything I could suggest now, Sorry

Deb :))