[whittler]

Hi all,

When I try to run the ipconfig utility in dos, I get the following error msg:

Quote

'ipconfig' is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I also tried double clicking on it in the system32 folder using Win Explorer. A dos style window quickly flashed, but it did not give me the machine's ip address.

I'd like to be able to use VNC, so if anyone can suggest why this does not work, I'd be much obliged.

Incidentally, I get almost the same msg when I try to run the format command (eg format a:\):

Quote

'format' is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

[daveydoom]

Strange. From what I've been reading at different places it looks like you may have to type in the full path (C:\Windows\system32\ipconfig /all). Try that and see if it works

[Alatar1]

The reason that you normally don't have to type the full path to ipconfig is that it (ipconfig.exe) is in one of the predefined locations that the command processor looks in. These locations are defined by the "path" variable which can be seen by typing simply "path" at the command prompt (not the run box, mind you).

The fact that the command processor can't find ipconfig is a bit worrying because it may mean that your path variable has been corrupted. Mine says:

Quote

PATH=C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem

Note the C:\WINDOWS\system32 bit; that's the part that is supposed to ensure you can simply type "ipconfig" and not "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ipconfig".

[snowy.37]

Hello Alatar

Just tried it on my machine and the only way in is to type cmd. in the run box

and then ipconfig /all at the command prompt, then everything in the garden is rosey.


Regards


Snowy

[whittler]

I've now tried "ipconfig /all" to no avail unfortunately.

I'm not sure that locating the exe is the issue. As I said, it does not even work when I double-click on it in the system32 folder.

[Alatar1]

You said that it just pops up very quickly and disappears when you double-click it in explorer. That's normal for any program designed to run from the command prompt -- the program is working properly, but as soon as it completes (very quickly in the case of ipconfig) the window it's running in closes. At least it is probably working properly, but you can't tell: it might just be printing some error message.

This is why you have to run it (and all similar utilities) in a command processor window which, as snowy says, you get by typing "cmd" in the run dialog.

[whittler]

Sorry. I have been using the command prompt as well.

daveydoom's suggestion worked. So it must have been a path issue. Typing C:\Windows\system32\ipconfig worked.

Thanks very much to all who responded. Very much appreciated.