Long file names

[JohnM]

I have a file (word doc actually) with a rather long name (about 160+ chars) on an NTFS partition on XP SP2. XY cannot move, copy or rename it. Each fails with the message "Cannot move/copy/rename file: " (note that nothing appears after the ‘:’ in the message). While I can see the file’s size on the status bar, nothing appears on the properties, version, preview or raw view tabs for this file.

The contact menu is different from the normal one that appears on a file. The menu is normal at the top, but doesn’t include any file manipulation functions. It does include configuration file and restart options.

Interestingly, explorer cannot do anything with this file either (but doesn’t give any error messages).

I have applied the Windows tweak that that disables short file name generation. Could that have something to do with it? I haven't had a chance to test it. I would be surprised if that were the case anyway because NTFS is supposed to be able to handle file names up to 255 chars according to the MS doco.

Odd no?
Has anyone seen this before? Ideas?

Cheers
JohnM

[Gandolf]

What is the total path length? I think this is limited to 255 characters total. I seem to remember I had a similar problem with very long paths when burning CD's where Windows will move the files to "C:\Documents and Settings\... ...\CD Burning\" but then can't delete them after the CD is burnt!!

[JohnM]

The total path length will be something like 255 or so chars. Once you start with "c:\documents and settings\....blah blah blah" you don't need a very long file name to blow the whole lot out to 255, especially if you have a lot of nested folders like I do. That's what you get for being so organised

Thnx for reply
Cheers
JohnM

[admin]

The total path length will be something like 255 or so chars. ...

Can you count them? Actually I would like to display the length of a filename somewhere in XY -- only right now I have no good idea where to do to do this.
Anyway, try to make it shorter and see whether that helps.
About that Tweak, don't know if it influences this.

[j_c_hallgren]

I would like to display the length of a filename somewhere in XY -- only right now I have no good idea where to do to do this.

I'm presuming you create the hover/tooltip that shows file properties?
In that box would be the most logical place that I can see to put it...
"Name Length:" as 2nd line...

[admin]

I would like to display the length of a filename somewhere in XY -- only right now I have no good idea where to do to do this.

I'm presuming you create the hover/tooltip that shows file properties?
In that box would be the most logical place that I can see to put it...
"Name Length:" as 2nd line...

Cool idea! Done.

[j_c_hallgren]

But I just realized that ( ) in some cases, PATH is line #1, so I meant as next line after NAME...I'm presuming you did so...no need to reply here!

Update: BTW, I've ended up on occasion with some files in my IE cache that have very long names and which I can't delete as name seems too long and causes some weird error...(I'm using FAT32)...but I was able to delete them via DOS window!

[admin]

But I just realized that ( ) in some cases, PATH is line #1, so I meant as next line after NAME...I'm presuming you did so...no need to reply here!

Path is given with items in Search Results.

I just added it to the end anyway, to keep the expected top chunk of data unaltered.

[JohnM]

admin wrote:

JohnM wrote:
The total path length will be something like 255 or so chars. ...

Can you count them?

The total path length was 261 chars. I reduced the length of the some folder names in between so that the total path length was 241 and now I can copy/move/rename etc the file in question.

So much for long file names.

Cheers
JohnM

[JohnM]

admin wrote:
I would like to display the length of a filename somewhere in XY -- only right now I have no good idea where to do to do this.

j_c_hallgren wrote:
I'm presuming you create the hover/tooltip that shows file properties?
In that box would be the most logical place that I can see to put it...
"Name Length:" as 2nd line...

Why not put on the properties tab?
Also, in light of my recent experience, it might be an idea to also show the total path length. Further, indicate somehow if the total path is too long.

Cheers
John

[j_c_hallgren]

I'll be the first to admit that having it also on Properties tab would be appropriate!
I was first thinking about how to have it seen for various files quickly...
And showing as another field, the path length, or overall total length as alternative, also seems to be a good suggestion!

[admin]

Why not put on the properties tab?
Also, in light of my recent experience, it might be an idea to also show the total path length. Further, indicate somehow if the total path is too long.

I am showing the total path+file length.

On the properties tab is no space, or it would begin looking very tight.

Indicate somehow if the total path is too long -- that's sth I'm going to do...

[j_c_hallgren]

On the properties tab is no space, or it would begin looking very tight.

So putting it between DOS name and Created -or- under Space used (in what appears to be a blank area) are not possible places?

[admin]

On the properties tab is no space, or it would begin looking very tight.

So putting it between DOS name and Created -or- under Space used (in what appears to be a blank area) are not possible places?

Not blank when folder sizes are calculated in properties tab.

[j_c_hallgren]

Since I don't use that option, I didn't realize that...but...given that a DOS name is limited to 8.3 format, true? So there IS a bit of unused space there...and since length relates to name, it would be a somewhat logical place...