exec(PERL) on nt4.0 iis box hanging

[4rxsid]

Hi all,

Using PERL 5.6.1.631, PHP 4.3.1, win NT4.0 & iis webserver.

Trying to call a PERL script from within my PHP script. The PERL script works find from the command line, but causes the browser (I.E.) to hang if called by the PHP web script.

tried with path to perl executable:

exec("C:\\Perl\\ntt\\perl.exe C:\\pathto\\PERLscript\\test.pl");

[\php]

also tried
[code=php]

exec("start C:\\pathto\\PERLscript\\test.pl");

[\php]

And several other flavors, but can't get the script to execute.  The perl binary & path & script has iis guest internet user permissions set to full control.
I did see another thread here, but no answers to a similar question.

Thanks for any help/suggestions!