Windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\

  • Thread starter Thread starter wong_powah@yahoo.ca
  • Start date Start date
W

wong_powah@yahoo.ca

The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
How to make it start at C:\?
I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
HOMEDRIVE=C:
HOMEPATH=C:
and also
HOMEDRIVE=C:\
HOMEPATH=C:\
 
<wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> How to make it start at C:\?
> I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> HOMEDRIVE=C:
> HOMEPATH=C:
> and also
> HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> HOMEPATH=C:\

DOS is an operating system, same as Linux or Windows.
You're probably referring to the Command Prompt under
Windows 2000.

How do you start the Command Prompt? Using a shortcut
would give you the greatest flexibility, such as the starting
drive/folder. You could also specify this command to make
the Command Prompt even more useful:

cmd.exe /f:on /k mode con lines=50
 
Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.

You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names. One of
mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%

<wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> How to make it start at C:\?
> I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> HOMEDRIVE=C:
> HOMEPATH=C:
> and also
> HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> HOMEPATH=C:\
 
On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>
> You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names. One of
> mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>
> <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>
> news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> > How to make it start at C:\?
> > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> > HOMEDRIVE=C:
> > HOMEPATH=C:
> > and also
> > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> > HOMEPATH=C:\

I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
I set HOMEPATH=win44
The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
How to fix this problem?
 
Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.

Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
any variable?

<wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> > Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> > Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
> >
> > You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names. One
of
> > mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
> >
> > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> >
> > news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> > > How to make it start at C:\?
> > > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> > > HOMEDRIVE=C:
> > > HOMEPATH=C:
> > > and also
> > > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> > > HOMEPATH=C:\
>
> I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> I set HOMEPATH=win44
> The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> How to fix this problem?
 
wong_powah@yahoo.ca wrote in
news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegro
ups.com:

> On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net>
> wrote:
>> Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select
>> Properties. In the Shortcut tab, you can change/select
>> where you want it to start in.
>>
>> You can use environmental variables or actual drive and
>> directory names. One of mine is set as C:\ and another is
>> %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>
>> <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>
>> news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googl
>> egroups.com...
>>
>> > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
>> > How to make it start at C:\?
>> > I had set environment variables as follows but they do
>> > not work: HOMEDRIVE=C:
>> > HOMEPATH=C:
>> > and also
>> > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
>> > HOMEPATH=C:\
>
> I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> I set HOMEPATH=win44
> The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of
> "C:\win44". How to fix this problem?

Follow Pegaus' suggestion, fill in the "Start in:"

J
--
Replies to: Nherr1professor2doktor31109(at)Oyahoo(dot)Tcom
 
Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.

It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.

Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.

"David Webb" <dwebb211@earthling.net> wrote in message
news:OBvs0RJWIHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>
> Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
> any variable?
>
> <wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> > On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> > > Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> > > Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
> > >
> > > You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
One
> of
> > > mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
> > >
> > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> > >
> > > news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> > >
> > > > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> > > > How to make it start at C:\?
> > > > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:
> > > > HOMEPATH=C:
> > > > and also
> > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> > > > HOMEPATH=C:\
> >
> > I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> > I set HOMEPATH=win44
> > The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> > How to fix this problem?
>
>
 
On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>
> It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
> results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
>
> Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>
> "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>
> news:OBvs0RJWIHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
> > Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>
> > Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
> > any variable?
>
> > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> >news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> > > On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> > > > Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> > > > Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>
> > > > You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
> One
> > of
> > > > mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>
> > > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>
> > > >news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > > > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> > > > > How to make it start at C:\?
> > > > > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:
> > > > > HOMEPATH=C:
> > > > > and also
> > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> > > > > HOMEPATH=C:\
>
> > > I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> > > I set HOMEPATH=win44
> > > The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> > > How to fix this problem?

Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
on windows NT.
I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
 
wong_powah@yahoo.ca wrote:

> On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>
>>Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>>
>>It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
>>results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
>>
>>Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>>
>>"David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>>
>>>Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>>
>>>Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
>>>any variable?
>>
>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>>news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>>
>>>>On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
>>>>>Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>>
>>>>>You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
>>
>>One
>>
>>>of
>>>
>>>>>mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>
>>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>
>>>>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>>>>>The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
>>>>>>How to make it start at C:\?
>>>>>>I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:
>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:
>>>>>>and also
>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:\
>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:\
>>
>>>>I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
>>>>I set HOMEPATH=win44
>>>>The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
>>>>How to fix this problem?
>
>
> Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
> setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
> on windows NT.
> I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.

I don't think that you should be trying to change the %homepath%
variable, that may cause problems with other applications, some software
installation packages still use that variable when they are installed.
Instead do as the others have suggested and set the path in your
shortcut properties.

Another thing that you can do is set an "AutoRun" string in the Registry
to change to the desired directory.

When the Command Processor is launched it looks at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor for instructions,
if it sees an AutoRun value there it will automatically run the string.
If it finds no AutoRun value there it will look for an AutoRun string
in the corresponding HKLM location.

At HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor if you add the
following:

Value Name: AutoRun
Data Type: REG_SZ

and set the value data to: cd c:\win44

when you launch cmd.exe it will automatically run the command and change
the current directory to C:\win44

If you want to run the Command Processor without executing the AutoRun
commands you can add the /D switch when you start it, CMD /D.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/91518.mspx?mfr=true

John
 
<wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:0bfc86d8-a647-4981-8bd5-408a43995fc8@i72g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> > Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
> >
> > It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
> > results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
> >
> > Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
> >
> > "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
> >
> > news:OBvs0RJWIHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> >
> > > Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking
for.
> >
> > > Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about
using
> > > any variable?
> >
> > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> > >news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> > > > On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
> > > > > Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In
the
> > > > > Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
> >
> > > > > You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory
names.
> > One
> > > of
> > > > > mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
> >
> > > > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> >
> > > >
>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > > > > > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> > > > > > How to make it start at C:\?
> > > > > > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> > > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:
> > > > > > HOMEPATH=C:
> > > > > > and also
> > > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> > > > > > HOMEPATH=C:\
> >
> > > > I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> > > > I set HOMEPATH=win44
> > > > The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> > > > How to fix this problem?
>
> Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
> setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
> on windows NT.
> I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.

Because you're using the SET command. This will only change it temporarily. You
can see this behavior by opening a command prompt window and enter:

echo %homepath%
(it will display the default value)

set homepath=win44
echo %homepath%
(it should display "win44")

Now exit the window and then open it again and enter:

echo %homepath%
(it will display the default value again)

You can probably override the default by creating a system variable, See this
article for how to:

How To Create System Variables in Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311843

It would be much simpler if you just enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of
the shortcut, as I previously suggested.
 
"David Webb" <dwebb211@earthling.net> wrote in message
news:e3PbkJUWIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
> <wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> news:0bfc86d8-a647-4981-8bd5-408a43995fc8@i72g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>> > Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>> >
>> > It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure
>> > consistent
>> > results do not use environmental variables, which may be only
>> > temporary.
>> >
>> > Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>> >
>> > "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>> >
>> > news:OBvs0RJWIHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> >
>> > > Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're
>> > > asking
> for.
>> >
>> > > Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget
>> > > about
> using
>> > > any variable?
>> >
>> > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>> > >news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>> > > > On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>> > > > > Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties.
>> > > > > In
> the
>> > > > > Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start
>> > > > > in.
>> >
>> > > > > You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory
> names.
>> > One
>> > > of
>> > > > > mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>> >
>> > > > > <wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>> >
>> > > >
>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>> >
>> > > > > > The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
>> > > > > > How to make it start at C:\?
>> > > > > > I had set environment variables as follows but they do not
>> > > > > > work:
>> > > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:
>> > > > > > HOMEPATH=C:
>> > > > > > and also
>> > > > > > HOMEDRIVE=C:\
>> > > > > > HOMEPATH=C:\
>> >
>> > > > I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
>> > > > I set HOMEPATH=win44
>> > > > The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
>> > > > How to fix this problem?
>>
>> Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
>> setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
>> on windows NT.
>> I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
>
> Because you're using the SET command. This will only change it
> temporarily. You
> can see this behavior by opening a command prompt window and enter:
>
> echo %homepath%
> (it will display the default value)
>
> set homepath=win44
> echo %homepath%
> (it should display "win44")
>
> Now exit the window and then open it again and enter:
>
> echo %homepath%
> (it will display the default value again)
>
> You can probably override the default by creating a system variable, See
> this
> article for how to:
>
> How To Create System Variables in Windows 2000
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311843
>
> It would be much simpler if you just enter C:\win44 in the "Start in"
> field of
> the shortcut, as I previously suggested.

It appears that the OP has made up his mind to use advanced
techniques such as registry hacks and global environmental
variable editing. I suspect that no amount of reasoning will
convince him to use the simplest of all solutions - to create
a shortcut taylored to his needs.
 
On Jan 17, 2:32 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> > On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>
> >>Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>
> >>It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
> >>results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
>
> >>Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>
> >>"David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>
> >>>Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>
> >>>Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
> >>>any variable?
>
> >>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> >>>news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>>>On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>
> >>>>>Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> >>>>>Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>
> >>>>>You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
>
> >>One
>
> >>>of
>
> >>>>>mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>
> >>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>
> >>>>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>>>>>The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> >>>>>>How to make it start at C:\?
> >>>>>>I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> >>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:
> >>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:
> >>>>>>and also
> >>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> >>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:\
>
> >>>>I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> >>>>I set HOMEPATH=win44
> >>>>The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> >>>>How to fix this problem?
>
> > Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
> > setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
> > on windows NT.
> > I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
>
> I don't think that you should be trying to change the %homepath%
> variable, that may cause problems with other applications, some software
> installation packages still use that variable when they are installed.
> Instead do as the others have suggested and set the path in your
> shortcut properties.
>
> Another thing that you can do is set an "AutoRun" string in the Registry
> to change to the desired directory.
>
> When the Command Processor is launched it looks at:
>
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor for instructions,
> if it sees an AutoRun value there it will automatically run the string.
> If it finds no AutoRun value there it will look for an AutoRun string
> in the corresponding HKLM location.
>
> At HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor if you add the
> following:
>
> Value Name: AutoRun
> Data Type: REG_SZ
>
> and set the value data to: cd c:\win44
>
> when you launch cmd.exe it will automatically run the command and change
> the current directory to C:\win44
>
> If you want to run the Command Processor without executing the AutoRun
> commands you can add the /D switch when you start it, CMD /D.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/r...
>
> John

You are right that I should not be trying to change the %homepath%, so
I revert back to its original value.
I followed your instructions and added the AutoRun string but the
Windows command shell still start at U:\.
Please help.
Thanks.
 
wong_powah@yahoo.ca wrote:
> On Jan 17, 2:32 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>
>>wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>
>>>On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>>
>>>>Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>>
>>>>It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
>>>>results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
>>
>>>>Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>>
>>>>"David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>>
>>>>>Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>>
>>>>>Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
>>>>>any variable?
>>
>>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>>>>news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>>>>>On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>>
>>>>>>>Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
>>>>>>>Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>>
>>>>>>>You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
>>
>>>>One
>>
>>>>>of
>>
>>>>>>>mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>
>>>>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>
>>>>>>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>>>>>>>The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
>>>>>>>>How to make it start at C:\?
>>>>>>>>I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
>>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:
>>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:
>>>>>>>>and also
>>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:\
>>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:\
>>
>>>>>>I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
>>>>>>I set HOMEPATH=win44
>>>>>>The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
>>>>>>How to fix this problem?
>>
>>>Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
>>>setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
>>>on windows NT.
>>>I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
>>
>>I don't think that you should be trying to change the %homepath%
>>variable, that may cause problems with other applications, some software
>>installation packages still use that variable when they are installed.
>>Instead do as the others have suggested and set the path in your
>>shortcut properties.
>>
>>Another thing that you can do is set an "AutoRun" string in the Registry
>>to change to the desired directory.
>>
>>When the Command Processor is launched it looks at:
>>
>>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor for instructions,
>>if it sees an AutoRun value there it will automatically run the string.
>> If it finds no AutoRun value there it will look for an AutoRun string
>>in the corresponding HKLM location.
>>
>>At HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor if you add the
>>following:
>>
>>Value Name: AutoRun
>>Data Type: REG_SZ
>>
>>and set the value data to: cd c:\win44
>>
>>when you launch cmd.exe it will automatically run the command and change
>>the current directory to C:\win44
>>
>>If you want to run the Command Processor without executing the AutoRun
>>commands you can add the /D switch when you start it, CMD /D.
>>
>>http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/r...
>>
>>John
>
>
> You are right that I should not be trying to change the %homepath%, so
> I revert back to its original value.
> I followed your instructions and added the AutoRun string but the
> Windows command shell still start at U:\.
> Please help.
> Thanks.

Works for me here, so I'm not sure why it doesn't work for you. The
value data type must be REG_SZ. What did you enter for the value data?
If you start cmd.exe does the same string as what you entered for the
value data work? If it doesn't actually work at the command prompt
don't expect it to work any better if you stick it in the registry, try
or test the command that you want use before you put it in the registry.

John
 
On Jan 17, 6:56 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
> > On Jan 17, 2:32 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>
> >>wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>
> >>>On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>
> >>>>Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>
> >>>>It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure consistent
> >>>>results do not use environmental variables, which may be only temporary.
>
> >>>>Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>
> >>>>"David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>
> >>>>>Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're asking for.
>
> >>>>>Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget about using
> >>>>>any variable?
>
> >>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> >>>>>news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>>>>>On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>
> >>>>>>>Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties. In the
> >>>>>>>Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>
> >>>>>>>You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory names.
>
> >>>>One
>
> >>>>>of
>
> >>>>>>>mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>
> >>>>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>
> >>>>>>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>>>>>>>The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
> >>>>>>>>How to make it start at C:\?
> >>>>>>>>I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
> >>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:
> >>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:
> >>>>>>>>and also
> >>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:\
> >>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:\
>
> >>>>>>I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
> >>>>>>I set HOMEPATH=win44
> >>>>>>The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
> >>>>>>How to fix this problem?
>
> >>>Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
> >>>setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
> >>>on windows NT.
> >>>I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
>
> >>I don't think that you should be trying to change the %homepath%
> >>variable, that may cause problems with other applications, some software
> >>installation packages still use that variable when they are installed.
> >>Instead do as the others have suggested and set the path in your
> >>shortcut properties.
>
> >>Another thing that you can do is set an "AutoRun" string in the Registry
> >>to change to the desired directory.
>
> >>When the Command Processor is launched it looks at:
>
> >>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor for instructions,
> >>if it sees an AutoRun value there it will automatically run the string.
> >> If it finds no AutoRun value there it will look for an AutoRun string
> >>in the corresponding HKLM location.
>
> >>At HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor if you add the
> >>following:
>
> >>Value Name: AutoRun
> >>Data Type: REG_SZ
>
> >>and set the value data to: cd c:\win44
>
> >>when you launch cmd.exe it will automatically run the command and change
> >>the current directory to C:\win44
>
> >>If you want to run the Command Processor without executing the AutoRun
> >>commands you can add the /D switch when you start it, CMD /D.
>
> >>http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/r...
>
> >>John
>
> > You are right that I should not be trying to change the %homepath%, so
> > I revert back to its original value.
> > I followed your instructions and added the AutoRun string but the
> > Windows command shell still start at U:\.
> > Please help.
> > Thanks.
>
> Works for me here, so I'm not sure why it doesn't work for you. The
> value data type must be REG_SZ. What did you enter for the value data?
> If you start cmd.exe does the same string as what you entered for the
> value data work? If it doesn't actually work at the command prompt
> don't expect it to work any better if you stick it in the registry, try
> or test the command that you want use before you put it in the registry.
>
> John
I entered "cd C:\win44" for the value data.
If I hardcoded "C:\win44" in the "Start in" field of the windows
shell shortcut, then it will start at "C:\win44". There is no need
to change environment variables or registry value.
 
<wong_powah@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:32a0e214-b88c-47d3-aac0-7b1f4ff99a57@v46g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 17, 6:56 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>> wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>> > On Jan 17, 2:32 pm, John John <audetw...@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>>
>> >>wong_po...@yahoo.ca wrote:
>>
>> >>>On Jan 17, 6:09 am, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>>
>> >>>>Ignore my previous post. I misread your request.
>>
>> >>>>It appears that you want to start in C:\win44. In order to ensure
>> >>>>consistent
>> >>>>results do not use environmental variables, which may be only
>> >>>>temporary.
>>
>> >>>>Enter C:\win44 in the "Start in" field of the shortcut.
>>
>> >>>>"David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote in message
>>
>> >>>>>Since you set HOMEPATH to win44, it's doing exactly what you're
>> >>>>>asking for.
>>
>> >>>>>Why don't you simply change the "start in" value to C:\ and forget
>> >>>>>about using
>> >>>>>any variable?
>>
>> >>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>> >>>>>news:359c31d5-34af-4265-8ce7-beb9f3358fa1@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> >>>>>>On Jan 16, 3:47 pm, "David Webb" <dwebb...@earthling.net> wrote:
>>
>> >>>>>>>Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties.
>> >>>>>>>In the
>> >>>>>>>Shortcut tab, you can change/select where you want it to start in.
>>
>> >>>>>>>You can use environmental variables or actual drive and directory
>> >>>>>>>names.
>>
>> >>>>One
>>
>> >>>>>of
>>
>> >>>>>>>mine is set as C:\ and another is %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%
>>
>> >>>>>>><wong_po...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>>
>> >>>>>>>news:7cb12c51-96a2-47ee-acf8-c9970468139c@e10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> >>>>>>>>The windows 2000 DOS shell start at U:\ instead of C:\.
>> >>>>>>>>How to make it start at C:\?
>> >>>>>>>>I had set environment variables as follows but they do not work:
>> >>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:
>> >>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:
>> >>>>>>>>and also
>> >>>>>>>>HOMEDRIVE=C:\
>> >>>>>>>>HOMEPATH=C:\
>>
>> >>>>>>I change %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% to C:\%HOMEPATH%.
>> >>>>>>I set HOMEPATH=win44
>> >>>>>>The Windows command prompt start at "C:\" instead of "C:\win44".
>> >>>>>>How to fix this problem?
>>
>> >>>Previously I can set Windows command shell to start C:\win44 by
>> >>>setting the environment variables "HOMEDRIVE=C:\" and "HOMEPATH=win44"
>> >>>on windows NT.
>> >>>I do not know why the same procedure does not work on windows 2000.
>>
>> >>I don't think that you should be trying to change the %homepath%
>> >>variable, that may cause problems with other applications, some
>> >>software
>> >>installation packages still use that variable when they are installed.
>> >>Instead do as the others have suggested and set the path in your
>> >>shortcut properties.
>>
>> >>Another thing that you can do is set an "AutoRun" string in the
>> >>Registry
>> >>to change to the desired directory.
>>
>> >>When the Command Processor is launched it looks at:
>>
>> >>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor for
>> >>instructions,
>> >>if it sees an AutoRun value there it will automatically run the string.
>> >> If it finds no AutoRun value there it will look for an AutoRun string
>> >>in the corresponding HKLM location.
>>
>> >>At HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor if you add
>> >>the
>> >>following:
>>
>> >>Value Name: AutoRun
>> >>Data Type: REG_SZ
>>
>> >>and set the value data to: cd c:\win44
>>
>> >>when you launch cmd.exe it will automatically run the command and
>> >>change
>> >>the current directory to C:\win44
>>
>> >>If you want to run the Command Processor without executing the AutoRun
>> >>commands you can add the /D switch when you start it, CMD /D.
>>
>> >>http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/r...
>>
>> >>John
>>
>> > You are right that I should not be trying to change the %homepath%, so
>> > I revert back to its original value.
>> > I followed your instructions and added the AutoRun string but the
>> > Windows command shell still start at U:\.
>> > Please help.
>> > Thanks.
>>
>> Works for me here, so I'm not sure why it doesn't work for you. The
>> value data type must be REG_SZ. What did you enter for the value data?
>> If you start cmd.exe does the same string as what you entered for the
>> value data work? If it doesn't actually work at the command prompt
>> don't expect it to work any better if you stick it in the registry, try
>> or test the command that you want use before you put it in the registry.
>>
>> John
> I entered "cd C:\win44" for the value data.
> If I hardcoded "C:\win44" in the "Start in" field of the windows
> shell shortcut, then it will start at "C:\win44". There is no need
> to change environment variables or registry value.

Congratulations! That's what everybody has been telling you for several
days.
 
Back
Top