In this case, you will probably be more happy with some other alternatives: Windows Scripting Host, or API. I don't know these too well, which is one reason I use old-fashioned DOS-commands; but I do think you can get more information with WSH or API functions.
Hilmar.
>Hi Hilmar -
>
>I don't think I like the idea of shelling out (via the RUN command), as failure of the XCOPY command to complete it's assignment would not be known to my application.
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)