Microsoft KB Archive/243390

= Short (8.3) File Names Are Not Created Correctly at the Windows 98 Command Prompt =

Article ID: 243390

Article Last Modified on 1/25/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

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This article was previously published under Q243390



SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to create multiple files with long file names using the Windows 98 command prompt, Windows 98 may overwrite files.

Note that this behavior occurs only if you reboot your computer with the Windows 98 Startup disk or by choosing Command Prompt Only or Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Windows 98 Startup menu. This behavior does not occur when you are using a command prompt session within the Windows 98 graphical user interface (GUI) or shell.



CAUSE
When you create long file names at a command prompt without the Windows 98 shell loaded, short (8.3) file names, or aliases, are not generated properly.

For example, if you create a file named "Weekly reports for September.txt," Windows 98 creates the long file name and an 8.3 alias named Weekly r.txt. The correct 8.3 name is Weekly~1.txt. If you then create a second file named "Weekly reports for October.txt," Windows 98 saves the file with the same 8.3 alias. The first file is overwritten.



RESOLUTION
When the Windows 98 shell is not loaded, it is best to work only with 8.3 file names. Do not create long file names at a command prompt when the shell is not loaded. If you are working with files that have long file names, use only the 8.3 file names.

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB243390

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