I did try the READ ONLY trick, but that didn't change the problem. Next I
will tinker with Windows STEP BY STEP booting. The first thing in that
process is the option to process (or not process) the system registry. The
other things in step by step boot don't look like they would be changing
AUTOEXEC.

I searched the registry and found places where the environment variables are
being referenced but I don't know what those registry keys are for. I could
try trial and error experimentation with the registry, but I think there is
probably some simple solution to this problem. I have never seen this
happening until I set up this Compaq computer.

Bill S.


"Ben Myers" ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net wrote in message
...
Overwriting of AUTOEXEC.BAT is most often caused by software. I am
unaware of
any ROM firmware that modifies AUTOEXEC.BAT. Sound Blaster cards do not
have
ROMs, but the Creative software install would routinely add SET variables
to
AUTOEXEC.BAT.

One diagnostic procedure to try is to make AUTOEXEC.BAT a read-only file.
Probably the offending software will then idnetify itself, unless, of
course, it
is smart enough to override the read-only file attribute... Ben Myers

On Mon, 10 Apr 2006 23:41:06 -0700, "Wrong Attitude"

wrote:

I got a Compaq Deskpro EN series mini-tower with a 500Mhz PIII.and I
installed Windows ME on it. Everything works fine except there is
something
unusual causing a problem for me. Something overwrites AUTOEXEC.BAT
everytime it boots up. The lines in the new file are all SET= statements
that define environment variables. I haven't done very much
troubleshooting
because the computer is in a different location than I. I remember ROMs
on
add-in cards that would write some lines to AUTOEXEC.BAT (Creative
SoundBlaster for instance) but it didn't replace the whole file like is
happening here. Is it possible a ROM in this Compaq PC is overwriting my
AUTOEXEC.BAT ? The PC has on-board sound, and USB.

I haven't opened the case on this PC. Nor have I checked into all the
cards
(which I believe are standard cards for Compaq). None of the ROM
messages
are displayed during boot. The BIOS has an option to display the boot
messages or not display them but I can't get them to display no matter
what
I try. But my immediate problem is with AUTOEXEC.BAT being overwritten.
I
need AUTOEXEC.BAT for what I am doing. If I can't stop this from
happening
I will have to get a different PC - a lot of time will be wasted. I will
be
happy to hear any ideas you have regarding this Deskpro EN series PC.

TIA. Bill S.