dos window (command prompt) won't stay open

Hi,
For some reason whenever I click start>run and type in anything that would load a dos-like window (ipconfig, tasklist /svc, etc.) the dos window flashes open and then immediately closes. Start.Run works fine for opening calculator, msconfig etc...
-I don't recall when it started
-Keep SpyBot S&D, and AdAware up to date
-Have a firewall
So I'm thinking it's something I've done while playing around with tweaks.
Any idea how I can fix this? I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks,
522.

 

Its always been this way.

By design. These apps don't have a GUI interface. So the only way they work is within a command prompt.

Apps that load from start, run, have a GUI.

So, you do a ping from start, run, it opens the command prompt, runs the command, then closes, as designed.

However, if what you require gives a constant output, it will stay open.

For example,

ping -t yahoo.com

That command will stya open because of the continuous ping.

 

At least, thats how I understand it.

 

Thanks for the reply -It was actually you that made me notice this in the first place -I had read a reply of yours at http://majorgeeks.com/vb/showthread.php?p=329430#post329430
-I wanted to know what was using svchost but don't know how as the window closes too quickly.
Could you help me out with how I'd track down the svchost users?
Thanks again,
522.
(edit: guess you don't need my PC Deets a second time)

 

Basically, open a cmd.exe prompt from start, run, and type

taslklist /svc

in the command prompt and hit ENTER.

It requires XP Pro.

 

Problem Solved

Thanks!
That did it -I missed the part where I had to type cmd.exe in 'start>run' first *then* do 'taslklist /svc'.
All cleared up.
Thanks again,
522.