in reply to Why can't I use ppm?

are you invoking the ppm shell in the proper manner through command ppm-shell.bat?
this gives you a better flexibility, when you invoke ppm specific shell and not the GUI interface of it.
I know this doesn't sound to address your problem, but it is just a tip.

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Re^2: Why can't I use ppm?
by Anonymous Monk on Aug 28, 2009 at 23:47 UTC
    There are many versions of ppm floating around 
    D:\>ppm describe
Usage:  ppm describe <num>
        Run 'ppm help describe' to learn more.

D:\>ppm version
ppm 4.04 (ActivePerl 825)
Copyright (C) 2008 ActiveState Software Inc.  All rights reserved.

D:\>perl -V:version
version='5.8.9';

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