Problem with windows path

azezil

I'm having a problem with a WIN XP Pro machine, initial symptoms were unable to print to a network printer, then noticed ping and ipconfig not working, I checked the path from the dos prompt and it reads %systemroot% instead of C:\windows\ , when i retyped the path with c:\windows the commands work fine, however when I close the command prompt the path isn't saved.

Even after correcting the path some network resources are not accessable, web access and emails still work but can't map network drive or browse the network.

I check - system properties - advanced - environmentent variables and the path looks correct there (going to replace it with that from a working machine anyways to see if that helps).

So what I'm looking for is:
1) how or why does this happen and how is it fixed?
2) how can I make the path change permanent?

Cheers

Gosh

This might help

Static M.e.

Your CMD properties should read "%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe"

unable to print to a network printer,

Check to make sure the Print Spoller is running, Ive seen switched off sometimes after upgrading the OS

azezil

Righty, copying the path from another computer to - System properties - advanced - environment variables sorted the path issue.

Printer spooler was running, it wasn't a printer issue, it was more of a general networking issue, I couldn't access any shares on the network but could access web pages.

I tried uninstalling the firewall, reseting TCP/IP (net sh int ip reset reset.log), but no joy. Restored to a sytem restore point a few days ago, it was back up and running, noticed some hot fixes installed, maybe something went wrong when the user installed them initially.

Alas 30mins later it was blue screening, problem with SAV10, tried completely removing it and reinstalling it, but no joy... ended up re-imaging the machine

Static M.e.

re-imaging the machine

One of my favouite IT Tools!! Glad you fixed it in the end though