Microsoft KB Archive/103969

Word Cannot Open Files with Long Names on HPFS Partitions Last reviewed: July 30, 1997 Article ID: Q103969

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The information in this article applies to: Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1 Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1 IBM OS/2 versions 2.0, 2.1 SYMPTOMS Word for Windows cannot open a document from a hard disk that uses the OS/2 High Performance File System (HPFS) unless the filename conforms to the MS-DOS file-naming convention. Note: MS-DOS filenames consist of an eight-character filename, followed by a period (.), followed by a three-character extension (for example, FILENAME.EXT). WORKAROUND Rename the file so it conforms to the MS-DOS file-naming convention. MORE INFORMATION If a filename does not conform to the MS-DOS file-naming rules, it does not appear on file lists in Word for Windows or in other MS-DOS- based or Windows-based applications. By design, the operating system filters out such filenames to avoid compatibility problems. HPFS, which is supported by Microsoft Windows NT and IBM OS/2, supports filenames up to 254 characters long that contain blank spaces and multiple periods. You can run MS-DOS or Windows-based applications with OS/2, but these applications can only handle files with MS-DOS filenames. You can also run MS-DOS or Windows-based applications with Windows NT, which features NT File System (NTFS) long filenames. Windows NT, however, automatically creates a short, MS-DOS-compatible filename for all files, which it records in the directory where the NTFS file is stored. As a result, you can open NTFS files in Word for Windows, but you cannot open HPFS files.

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KBCategory: kbusage kbenv KBSubcategory: Additional query words: os2 1.0 1.10 1.10a 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD winword2 2.0b 2.0c missing gone invisible 8.3 THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: July 30, 1997
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