Weird XP Problem - Can't ping, ipconfig, etc from CMD line (CMD opens into wrong directory)

[lizardboy]

just reinstalled WinXP Pro last week...(legal copy, not devils own if it matters)

anyway, when i type CMD at the Run prompt it opens up at C:\Documents and Settings\lizard_boy\

if i try and type any standard command like ping, tracert, ipconfig, etc it tells me: 'ping' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

if i change the directory to C:\WINDOWS\system32 then all the commands will work

how can i get the CMD to default to this directory ?? - or is there a way like back in the old DOS days to add C:\WINDOWS\system32 to the 'path' ??

thanks

 

[mattbta]

Hrmm...not sure. Mine works and it opens to that same dir with my user name.

 

[NateSLC]

Try adding a path command in your System Properties -> Advanced -> Environment Variables as shown here.

 

[Alex]

mine works in docs and settings\franguinho\