Cannot execute Windows commands via Python in 64-bit

[Larry Bates]

nsjmetzger at gmail.com wrote:
> I have a script that runs fine in Windows 2003 (32-bit). It basically
> calls the Windows defrag command. When I try the exact same code on
> Windows 2003 (64-bit) I get the following message:
> 
>  C:\Scripts>autodefrag.py
> Starting defragment:  defrag -v C: >>c:/Scripts/DEFRAG20070502.log
> 'defrag' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
> operable program or batch file.
> 
> I have tried defrag.exe and even giving it the full path to
> defrag.exe. Always the same result. Here is the python code that is
> generating this error:
> 
> cmd = "defrag -v C: >>c:/Scripts/DEFRAG20070502.log"
> print "Starting defragment: ", cmd
> errorlevel = os.system(cmd)
> 
> 
> Anyone know what the heck is going on and how to fix it? This code
> works fine on my 32-bit windows machines.
> Thanks.
> 
Sounds like system can't find defrag.  Usually this is because of a path
issue.  Are you running the script in the foreground or scheduled?  Can
you open a command prompt and enter the command and have it work?  If
you give full path, this shouldn't be the problem.

-Larry