Command Prompt Problems Win7 x86

[PMDSupport]

One of my users (the MD of the company(!)) has a lovely new HP laptop running Windows 7 32bit.

The problem is that it's refusing to open command prompt. Not being an expert with windows 7 I have trawled the web for a solution. The biggest issue that we're using a DOS based account system but he is unable to use it because command prompt won't open. When you try to open cmd.exe it appears in the task manager's list of processes but does not appear on the task bar on the task manager's list of applications.

I've tried renaming cmd.exe and running that, same thing happens. I've turned off UAC, no effect. There was a registry fix for a similar problem in vista, no effect.

If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreciate it.

I'm at my wits end and I'm not deploying any more windows 7 machine until I know what the problem is.

Thank you,
Sam

 

[mborner]

Welcome to Seven Forums.
Try navigating to Start\all programs\accessories\cmd. prompt. Right click cmd. prompt and choose "run as administrator". Not sure that will help but you can try it.

 

[PMDSupport]

I missed a few things that I'd already tried, sorry. My bad.

I tried that. No effect.

 

[Fayla]

Open the task manager, then processes list, click view on the menu, click select columns, put a tick in 'username'.

Go to the event viewer, clear all logs, then try to start the command prompt-- do any errors or related information appear there for the command prompt?

One of my users (the MD of the company(!)) has a lovely new HP laptop running Windows 7 32bit.

The problem is that it's refusing to open command prompt. Not being an expert with windows 7 I have trawled the web for a solution. The biggest issue that we're using a DOS based account system but he is unable to use it because command prompt won't open. When you try to open cmd.exe it appears in the task manager's list of processes but does not appear on the task bar on the task manager's list of applications.

I've tried renaming cmd.exe and running that, same thing happens. I've turned off UAC, no effect. There was a registry fix for a similar problem in vista, no effect.

If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreciate it.

I'm at my wits end and I'm not deploying any more windows 7 machine until I know what the problem is.

Thank you,
Sam

 

[Bill2]

1) It could be a virus infection. Run the resident AV, also run a scan with malwarebytes antimalware, you can download it for free.

2) CMD.EXE could be corrupted. One way to fix it is to run a sfc scan. Heres how.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[PMDSupport]

I'll get both those tested. Running the SFC in command prompt might prove difficult, I'll have to get one of those 3rd party command prompt tools

 

[Bill2]

I'll get both those tested. Running the SFC in command prompt might prove difficult, I'll have to get one of those 3rd party command prompt tools

You can run sfc scan from the win7 install dvd in offline mode. Heres a walkthrough.

How to Run the System File Checker (Sfc.exe) Offline in Windows 7 and Vista - The Winhelponline Blog

If you dont have the install dvd, you can do the same thing from a recovery disk from Neosmart.

Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files