Command prompt appears to be broken

[colonel_mortis]

When I launch command prompt (either CMD or Command Prompt) from my start menu, or call CMD on run, it opens a command prompt window which cannot do any tasks: even "help" and "cd" don't work (top image). The issue also occurs when I

The only way I can make it work is by going into system32 and running it manually, at which point it works with no problems (bottom image). Can anyone explain why this is, and suggest anything I could do to make it work from the start menu.

 

This has only started recently, although I hadn't used cmd for a few weeks before the issues; I have installed several windows updates in the period when it broke.

 

EDIT: In the same time period, autodesk inventor has broken with error code 0xc0000005 (something like that) (2013 and I also installed 2014 to see if it would fix it, which didn't work) and dropbox won't launch. No error messages, it just doesn't run, even by manually executing it. I don't know whether it's connected.

[Midnight]

Does A drive exist in your PC?

[RDilux]

seems like a glitch

but i found this on a other forum

 

 

   Quote: Originally Posted by writhziden 

   Quote: Originally Posted by Lol Froob 

   Quote: Originally Posted by writhziden 

It is likely due to your environment variables. Here is what I suggest:

1. Click Start Menu
2. Type sysdm.cpl into the Search programs and files (do not hit enter)
3. Right click sysdm.cpl and select Run as administrator
4. Go to Advanced
5. Click Environment Variables...
6. Double click Path from the System Variables list (after scrolling down)
7. Select everything in the box Variable Value:
8. Hit CTRL + X to cut the values, leaving it blank (you may have to put a space in), and hit OK.
9. Hit OK again to close Environment Variables to reset the Path to nothing.
10. Now, click Environment Variables... again.
11. Double click Path in System Variables (after scrolling down again)
12. Paste the values back into the path Variable Value by hitting CTRL + V.

Does command prompt work after the above process?

If not, do steps 1-8, but use CTRL + C instead of CTRL + X (do not leave the path blank this time in other words), and paste the path in your next post. You may be missing important variables.

Didn't work, and all I have in Path is

Code:

;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin

Replace your path with: 

Code:

%SYSTEMROOT%\System32;%SYSTEMROOT%;%SYSTEMROOT\System32\wbem;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin

Does the command prompt now accept the normal commands?

[EricX2]

I bet RDilux has the right answer, but I agree with Midnight... why is it saying A: at the beginning? Do you have a floppy drive or is your OS drive labeled A:? Can you type C: to switch to your C: drive? What is the drive labeled when you open your computer in explorer?

 

Can you try running the SET command at the command prompt? Assuming that command works, that will show all your environmental variables. I'm interested in what would be under Path=, windir=, and homedrive=.

[colonel_mortis]

Thanks for the help. For some reason, the path variable was empty. Entering the values suggested has fixed that and other problems (dropbox and autodesk errors). Just to clear some stuff up, I have a secondary HDD labeled A: (I know it shouldn't be - I should leave it for floppys but when will I ever use one), and that's were my user docs are stored.

Thanks for the help.