system32\cmd.exe

I'm getting a DOS screen popping up on my win 2000 boot -up.
The title is c:\winnt\system32\cmd.exe.......and I cant find any reference to it in any of the HOTKEY regedit locations.
I've tried just deleting that file in System32, but it just comes back on the next boot-up.
Any ideas?

 

apologies to Newt !

First of all apologies to Newt....he already told me how to deal with this months ago (so much for my own personal RAM )
Once again the problem was found in startup cop by a process of elimination.This time it was something called NAVAGENT...I dont have Norton so I should have twigged earlier.
Altough last time it was slightly different in both symtoms and location it was nevertheless the same method of finding the problem.
Thanks again Newt.
My question now is why !!!!!!
What is the purpose of these stange insertions that are shownig up intermittently? Are they simply mischief or will they have a more malevolent outcome over time.
Can anyone throw light on that as an issue?

 

cmd.exe is the proper file to open a "DOS" window on NT systems. The old command.com is still there but is a rather stupid, 16bit app. Cmd.exe is the newer 32bit version. So you really don't want to get rid of it. You should take a look at Description of the Windows File Protection Feature so you'll know what protection is putting the file back after you delete it. Good stuff.

And please give more detail. When, exactly, in the boot sequence are you seeing the window open? What contents including the title at the top?

 

Thanks again for your help...I think i have found the problem as mentioned earlier and the cmd.exe file is intact as i know it is required.I seem to keep getting these strange RUN strings inserted into my startup routines.this one was in "runx" !!!!!!
Your previous suggestion of eliminating each startup through startup cop worked fine.

 

Just glad it helped.