Directories

[nocturnal8]

when I want to look into a directory that is
PROGRA~1 <DIR>

How can I look into this directory with the squigally bits at the end?
Pardon me if I sound a little thick!

[PCSolutions]

This is normal. You are looking at a directory with a long file name from a DOS prompt. DOS doenst know long file names so it uses the 8.3 file naming convention.
The directory you are looking at is most likely the program files folder. To see the folder with the long file name use Windows Explorer

[nocturnal8]

The thing is that I can't re-boot windows, there is some problem with it!

[Vernon Frazee]

Source: http://premium.microsoft.com/msdn/li...msdos_0h9h.htm

Filename Limitations Under Real Mode

If Windows 95 is started in single MS-DOS application mode (real mode), only the standard FAT file system (and not the long filename FAT file system) is supported. This means that long filenames that are created in a Windows environment will not be visible when the user exits to single MS-DOS application mode, although the names themselves are physically present on the media. Only the alias (the 8.3 filename) will be visible.

When down-level file systems (such as MS-DOS version 6.0, Windows version 3.1, Microsoft® Windows NT® version 3.1, and OS/2® version 2.11) read a floppy disk that contains long filenames created using Windows 95, the long filename will not be visible; only the alias (the 8.3 filename) will be visible. However, Windows NT version 3.5 supports long filenames. Windows 95 will see the long filenames of files on a floppy disk that were created using Microsoft Windows NT version 3.5, and Windows NT version 3.5 will see the long filenames of files on a floppy disk that were created using Windows 95. Windows 95 will be able to see the long filenames on NTFS or Novell NetWare's file system if there are long filenames on the server.

Because down-level systems are not aware of long filenames, they will not preserve them. If you copy a file from a floppy disk to the hard disk on a down-level system, the long filename associated with the file is not copied over. If you edit a file on the floppy disk using the alias and then save a new copy back on the floppy disk using the down-level system, the long filename associated with the file will most likely be lost. If you take the floppy disk back to the Windows 95 system, only the alias will be associated with the file.

[PCSolutions]

What is it doing?
If you are getting an error message please post it exactly

[Cliffh]

To work in/with a directory with the ~ (tilde) in the name, just use that name as listed - i.e. PROGRA~1.

To change to the Progr~1 directory:

CD PROGRA~1

To show what's listed in the Progra~1 directory:

DIR PROGRA~1

Be very careful when working with files/directories that have a tilde in the name while in DOS. If you use the wrong command (Copy, Move etc.) without the correct switches, you will corrupt the long file name - Progra~1 will become Progra~1 permentantly (or at least until you can get back into Windows and rename it).

[PCSolutions]

I would advise this: if you arent familiar with long file names then try to do as little as possible in DOS outside of windows. Running DOS inside of windows in a DOS box is different.
If you trash the long file names you might as well bag it & format!
IF you post the exact problem you are having theres a great deal of people here that will help in any way that they can

[This message has been edited by PCSolutions (edited 01-22-2001).]