Error message when you run the ipconfig /renew command on a Windows XP-based computer or on a Windows Server 2003-based computer: "The current directory is invalid" (922713)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • You log on to a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer or to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a user account that has membership to the local computer administrator group.
  • The computer is a member of the Active Directory forest.
  • The root directory of the user account is mapped to a network path. For example, the root directory is mapped to the following network path:

    M: \\server\username$

In this scenario, when you open a Command Prompt window, "M" is the current directory. Additionally, when you run the ipconfig /release command followed by the ipconfig /renew command at the command prompt, you receive an error message that resembles the following:
The current directory is invalid.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the operating system no longer has a valid network connection when you release the IP address of the computer. Therefore, the mapped drive does not exist on the local computer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the current directory to a local directory, and then run the ipconfig /release command. For example, change the current directory to C, and then run the ipconfig /release command.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257996 Error message "The current directory is invalid" in logon scripts with Windows 2000


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/24/2006
Keywords:kbnetwork kbExpertiseBeginner kbExpertiseInter kberrmsg kbtshoot KB922713 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO