I have written a batch script to open drawings. The drawings have a formatted name. The following is how they can be named (x's are places for numbers) UAxxxxxx UAxxxxxx SH1 UAxxxxxx SH2 Uxxxxxx Uxxxxxx SH1 Uxxxxxx SH2 some times there may a -x on the end of the numbers but that doesn't mess with the script. Now for the problem, I have a variable which I set to a image viewing program. Then I try to start that program with a picture for it to open. Well if I use the start %prog% (pic name) the picture will open up in my default image viewer, but if i remove the start it will open in what ever program i tell it. The reason I want the start is so it doesn't pause the script while the image program is open. I will paste my script and if you have more specific questions please ask. I am just perplexed as to why this is happening. @echo off set prog=C:\Program Files\IGC\Brava! Reader\BravaReader.exe set dp=G:\Active set err=does not exist or uses non-standard name set sht=1 echo Enter uaxxxxxx for UA drawings echo Enter xxxxxx for U drawings echo Type exit to exit program echo. :start set /p dw= if %dw% == exit goto exit set U=U if %dw:~0,1% == u set U=%null% if exist "%dp%\%U%%dw%.TIF" ( start "%prog%" "%dp%\U%dw%.TIF" goto end ) if exist "%dp%\%U%%dw% SH1.TIF" ( goto sel :return if %sht% == 1 start "%prog%" "%dp%\%U%%dw% SH1.TIF" if %sht% == 2 start "%prog%" "%dp%\%U%%dw% SH2.TIF" if %sht% == 3 start "%prog%" "%dp%\%U%%dw% SH1.TIF" | start "%prog%" "%dp%\%U%%dw% SH2.TIF" goto end ) echo %err% :end echo. goto start :sel echo 1 for sheet 1 echo 2 for sheet 2 echo 3 for both sheets echo. set /p sht= goto return :exit Also note I have tried typing the names of the program and a picture behind it in the command prompt and that opens the picture in that program. It just doesn't work with start in front of it in my script

Try: start "" "%prog%" "%dp%\U%dw%.TIF" Start assumes that the first argument in "double quotes" should be the title of the new window. Specifying "" as the first argument gets around this. It would be nice if the help page in xp mentioned this.......

wow so simple thanks I'll test it later