Microsoft KB Archive/118493

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Long Filenames Cause Problems with Earlier Versions of MS-DOS

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Q118493

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 95

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SYMPTOMS
One or more of the following symptoms occur while you are running MS-DOS 6.22 or earlier:

 In a directory listing, the volume label is reported incorrectly.  When you try to remove a partition, Fdisk reports the following error:

Volume label does not match

  The Label command reports the following error when changing the volume label:

Cannot make directory entry

 Symantec Norton Disk Doctor reports files with names such as AA, AB, and AT are too long or too short. Nothing is corrected when Norton Disk Doctor tries to fix the files.

NOTE: The SCANDISK command in Windows 95 reports no errors.

CAUSE
By design, Windows 95 stores long filename information in directory entries adjacent to the file being stored. These directory entries have the Read- Only, Hidden, System, and Volume Label attributes set. Earlier versions of MS-DOS recognize these entries as the volume label. As long as you continue to run Windows 95 and use long filenames, the volume label is unchangeable.

RESOLUTION
If you have removed Windows 95 from your system and want to correct the volume label, use one of the following procedures:

Windows 95 Startup Disk Method
 Obtain a Windows 95 Startup Disk that contains the LABEL.EXE command line utility for Windows 95.  Boot with the Startup Disk and type the following command: "label :" where is the drive with the unusual volume label.  When prompted, enter a new volume label.</li></ol>

NOTE: If this procedure does not work, then the MS-DOS 6.x method below must be used.

MS-DOS 6.x Method
<ol> Back up your hard disk.</li>  Reformat the disk. For example, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER "format : /s /v: " where is the drive with the unusual volume label and is the new volume name you want to use. </li> Restore your files.</li></ol>

MORE INFORMATION
Most disk utilities need to be updated to function properly with long filenames.

Norton Disk Doctor is manufactured by Symantec, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Additional query words: 3rdparty ndd

Keywords : diskmem win95

Issue type :

Technology : kbWin95search kbWin95