Error using command prompt

[Vex]

k ill try to keep this short. Ive downloaded evrything gandalf told me to in his post 'editing/compiling using...' im using Notepad2 and minGW and configured it in properties. I started doing the C++ walkthrough copy and pasting the program in (as told) and saving as test.cpp and then opened command prompt. Got to the directory and typed g++ test.cpp -o test.exe but it says g++ is not an internal or external command, operable program or batch file???

i know this sounds like my life story but im determined to do this so could someone please help and tell me where ive gone wrong.

[wtd]

Did you set up your PATH variable?

[Vex]

yeah i tried to do it as gandalf said but ill try it a gain and see what happened. thanks though

[wtd]

Also note that on Windows, changes to PATH will not take effect until you open a new shell.

[Vex]

emmmmm ok how do i do that. (im such a noob)

[wtd]

Which version of Windows are you using?

[Vex]

Windows XP (home edition) i might have to reinstall service pack 2

[wtd]

Do you know where the program g++.exe resides on your hard drive? It should be in a "bin" directory. Something like:

C:\Blah\Blah\bin

Copy that full directory.

Now, go to Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables -> User Variables for blah

If there's no PATH variable listed, click "New" and create it. Give it the name PATH and paste the directory name you copied earlier into the "Value".

Click "Ok" to exit all of those windows, then open a new Command Prompt.