Hi, folks, I'm trying to pass a variable to a system command, the first time it works but the second time it doesn't. the script looks like this: #!/usr/bin/perl #Editor: Peter Lemus #Purpose: to assign security to multiple files in win2k. print "Permissions are being changed now......\n"; open (FILE, "dir.txt") || die "can't open file he: $!\n"; while ($line=<FILE>) { # assign each line of imput to line. print $line; system "xcacls $line /g $line:f /e" # the second $line does not work. } close (FILE); The /g option in windows 2k grants access to a specified user the :f is for full access. in simple words I need the variable $line to work for the command xcacls $line /g $line:f /e. Please help... thanks, ===== Peter Lemus Computer Networks Engineer [EMAIL PROTECTED] My Dad always tought me; when you do good; expect to receive good; when you do bad; expect the bad...sooner or later. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/