When you go to the DOS prompt, I used to use "command" until I figured out that there was a "cmd". Of course, even on an HT processor, "command" was painfully slow.

My question is, what exactly is the difference between "command' and "cmd"?

It's quite simple. The command.com program is a 16-bit DOS program, and XP has to run it in its protected mode (you can see in the task manager that ntvdm.exe is running when you use command.com) or something like that, with its 16-bit emulated sub-system. This is a rather slow process.

The cmd.exe file, however, is a 32-bit program, and runs normally. It has all the advantages of the 32-bit XP system, and thus it is a lot faster.

wow. i didnt know that live and learn as they say

Thank you very much. That made sense.

Try this - CMD /?

It will give you a list of everything CMD can do.

wealth of info

thx man

Try this - CMD /?

It will give you a list of everything CMD can do. 

That is usually the deal with most programs. Did you ever try "man woman" on a Linux box. That is the coolest thing.