Can't run any command in DOS

Hello...
i am running windows xp home sp1, DOS [Version 5.1.2600] on my compaq machine. i am not able to run any command exept DIR neither from cmd.exe nor from command.com. i am able to ping from RUN. but whnever i try to ping from DOS prompt i get this message:

Code:

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C:\>ping 172.16.0.1
'ping' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

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All my ping and netstat batch files got corrupted too.

I scanned for viruses and worms but did'nt find any such thing. i tried to run in safe mode too but again same message :confused: .i am pissed off by this all. pliz help me..i am very confused..
Thanx...

Are you sure I386 folder is in your path? you may want to check that first,

an example

%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\Fonts;C:\I386

You should be able to cd into your system32 folder and use cmd.exe from there, I had the same problem once and that was my work around.


//edit The fix was a clean install.

Type set at the coomand prompt, you should get something like this in one of the lines:

Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;

Most likely it will be longer, but Systerm32 should be in there some where. Let us know if it is not.

@ttau
Yes m8, i got it from there. i Cd into system32 and am able to use all commands.

Quote:

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Type set at the coomand prompt, you should get something like this in one of the lines:

Path=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;

Most likely it will be longer, but Systerm32 should be in there some where. Let us know if it is not.

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i got this:

Code:

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C:\>set
ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\Suhail\Application Data
CLIENTNAME=Console
CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files
COMPUTERNAME=SOHAIL
ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS=1
HOMEDRIVE=C:
HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\Suhail
LOGONSERVER=\\SOHAIL
NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=1
OS=Windows_NT
Path=c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin
PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH
PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86
PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 10, GenuineIntel
PROCESSOR_LEVEL=6
PROCESSOR_REVISION=080a
ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files
PROMPT=$P$G
SESSIONNAME=Console
SystemDrive=C:
SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\Suhail\LOCALS~1\Temp
TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\Suhail\LOCALS~1\Temp
USERDOMAIN=SOHAIL
USERNAME=Suhail
USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\Suhail
windir=C:\WINDOWS

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This is your problem

"Path=c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin"

The solution is to get a DOS session going then type

SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;C:\WINDOWS

That will give you a basic functional path. Just for that session mind! To make it work for all future sessions you'll have to edit the file C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT

Investigate all files in the C:\ directory that start AUTOEXEC to attempt to find the previous PATH setting.

CD C:\
DIR AUTOEXEC.*
TYPE AUTOEXEC.OLD

or do a search within windows on the C: for AUTOEXEC.* and open each one in notepad.

Hope I've helped and not patronised!

Hi

yes thats what i was expecting........actually all there files are in System32 folder and the Path variable has to haev a link to that ........here what you should do......

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Click Environment variables.

Find Path in it ...it will look like this Path=c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin;...Edit it to add the path to System32 and windows folder there.....


Path=c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin;c:\windows\system32\;c:\windows\

it should look like this....


WildOneNKC -> There is not i386 folder in the path.......there is no i386 folder in windows folde for that matters..........this folder is in the Windows NT,2000,Xp install CD....this is from where all the files are installed.....but the installed verson dosen't have something called I386.


ttau -> Of course Clean Install will Fix this.......But clean install is not the fix for such a measly problem that could be solved with 4 mouse clicks...and a few keystrokes...

Come on guys......Do some homework before posting or advising something...you could easily mess up somebody's things....


Simple Simon -> Yes you are right.......but he is using XP....as far i know no AUTOEXEC in there..


--Goodl Luck--

As SwordFish_13 subtly pointed out...add c:\windows\system32;c:\windows; to the path.

Of course... you may wish to check that the current path is valid first. Just see if you can cd to c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin if you can't then there's no point it being in the path!

You're running on a Compaq not a Sun machine, so I can not imagine why this path is set like this. I have, however, seen weirder things!


edit:
Oops! - You're right Swordfish_13, he is using XP and there is no autoexec.bat Sorry!! Don't think my advice would mess him up - just lead him on a wild goose chase. Apologies in advance to psycO for that.
edit end:

Thank You All for quick response and solving my problem..
yes my path variable was messed up :p
Well now i can breath easily..thanks again. :D

Quote:

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Originally posted here by Simple Simon
As SwordFish_13 subtly pointed out...add c:\windows\system32;c:\windows; to the path.

Of course... you may wish to check that the current path is valid first. Just see if you can cd to c:\sun\jdk1.3.1_12\bin if you can't then there's no point it being in the path!

You're running on a Compaq not a Sun machine, so I can not imagine why this path is set like this. I have, however, seen weirder things!

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Actually i set that path for my JAVA..but forgot to add system path..and now i was getting mad that what has happend..God bless AntiOnline and you ppl, my problem is solved.Bingo!!

I knew that Autoexec.bat is not available in XP. but Thanks anyway.

hi Simple Simon

My Comment was not directed at you by all means..........you post was good if it had been windows 98 /me and was on the right track.........it's just that the statemnt a clean install Fixed this......got me what if somone does go for a clean install reading this....when his problem would have been solded by a few Mouse Clicks and a few keystrokes.....

Sorry i sounded like an ass

--Good Luck--

Swordfish, my situation did require a clean install, after numerous attemps to reset the path and clean my machine failed, I was left no choice.

If it's any consolation, you didn't sound like an ass to me. I thought your comment was spot on!

I should have thought a little before posting. I got carried away in the moment of seeing a posting where I could help. Damn! I really must stop posting whilst at work! lol

No offence taken.

If I may just state that DOS is gone!! What you are referring to is command line interface. Its a shell just like windows. DOS was a operating System which has since been phased out with win2k xp and 2k3.

*smashes head on keyboard*

He said he had XP home SP1 AND DOS 5..................

Hope you didn't hurt your head on keyboard.......... :err:

Me has DOS 6.2 +Win2KPro.

Simple Simon your right DOS is not gone! I still have it on floppy disk (5.25). As far as knowing people who use it without windows, well whatever floats your boat. Personally I think they need to wake up and join us in the 21st century. Unless they use it for the pure hell of it. Yes people still do use win95 and from what ive seen its for several reasons. Those including: a old computer which they refuse to upgrade, dont want to upgrade or cant afford to upgrade, or perhaps nothing else will run on it as efficiently.

The point i was trying to make is that this post refers to "Dos" when in actuality they mean command line interface.

Quote:

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i am running windows xp home sp1, DOS [Version 5.1.2600]

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Dark:

It's pretty easy to see how someone _could_ be confused had they used DOS in the past and never bothered to read up on the changes in the OS's as they develop.

Type cmd in run and you get a "DOS" box. Type "ver" in the "DOS" box and it returns

"Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]"

It all functions in a similar way to good old DOS...... Most of the old commands are there too.... It just isn't really DOS.....