In Windows NT, we had to use tip 0323 to accomplish this.

In windows 2000, you can use the

SET /P variable=\[promptString\]

"The /P switch allows you to set the value of a variable to a line of input
entered by the user.  Displays the specified promptString before reading
the line of input.  The promptString can be empty."

Here is a silly little example:

@echo off
setlocal
set OK=N
:again
set /p user=Please enter your User Name or END.     
if /i \[%user%\]
\[END\] endlocal&goto end
if \[%user%\]
\[\] goto again
for /f "Tokens=*" %%i in ('net user "%user%" /domain') do call :parse "%%i"
If "%OK%"
"N" goto again
set /p xxx=Press any key to exit.  
endlocal
goto end
:parse
set ustr=%1
if not "%ustr:~1,9%"
"Full Name" goto end
set ustr=%ustr:"=%
set ustr=%ustr:Full Name                    =%
@echo Thank you %ustr%
set OK=Y
:end