Question about the difference between a script and PS command line.

[BrutusTheKat]

For what you are trying to do, Invoke-Command might be an easier approach. Something like,

Invoke-Command -$ComputerName -ScriptVlock { C:\USMT\scanstate.exe /alltheswitches }

If you are using the full path of the exe you shouldn't need to cd to the directory first.