I recently update my windows xp with a version that add so fancy 'effects' to the command prompt. After that, SDCC would not compile. I did a verbose (argument -V) and it showed the first line of the compile process. then it just drop back to command prompt, no errors. After spending a few days on this problem I solved it. And I though I would share it with the group.

What I learned was CMD.exe (The windows XP command Prompt) has a registry entry that allows you to extended it capabilities.
under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor

to fix the problem I simple renamed the key thus forcing cmd.exe to use default settings. I think the problem is a setting under this key call AutoRun, I have not tried that theory out yet.