I hesitate to post this, but I've checked several google links and other references and still I'm confused. In win xp pro:

Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt = C:\ Command Prompt
Start>Run>cmd = C:\ WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe
Start>Run>command = C:\WINDOWS\System32\ command.com (.com???!??? why?)

and where once I could simply type "ipconfig" in Start>Run and see the results in a DOS dialog box(same as the 3 above examples) now I see the box come up on the desktop for a fraction of a second and disappear.

What am I doing?
Although these seem similar, what are the differences between them?

(the Start>Run>command I use after advice via the ZA Forum, still trying to learn why it behaves the way it has & when I close it, the error message you can see her is displayed:)

well phawwgg when your done using command prompt type exit in the black box and it will close on its own! This is the way I do it.. start..run..command! easiest way for me!

This tutorial may help you:

Introduction to the Windows Command Prompt

The hidden surprises we have

The reason why a console (dos) program flashes when run from the desktop, as it is made to run in a dos prompt and not a window. THerefore when you run it, it shows itself and immediately closes.

How did I miss that?

A little more time at it and I found this to be helpful, as well.

Open Command Window Here

This PowerToy adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving you a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder.

This downloaded from the MS Windows XP site

xppowertoys

Now when right-clicking a program file, for instance, I have another option.