note 31543 added to function.shell-exec

I am running PHP 4.2.3 and Windows XP Pro (Running IIS 5.1) Service packed up. This is simply my development box, before unleashing my scripts onto mission critical servers. However recently i've been experiencing problems, and it appears that the shell_exec, exec, system functions have all ceased to function!! I just keep getting an error message : Unable to execute 'bla bla bla' or Unable to Fork etc... So while i sit and try to figure this out i get nowhere, but i had it working before. I havent altered the ini file, and ive rebooted the server a few times. Why would this suddenly stop working?!!? i cant execute anything. J -- http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.shell-exec.php http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=edit+31543 http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+31543 http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=reject+31543