File Manager Error Copying Files to Write-Protected Disk

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you use File Manager to copy or move files less than 512 bytes in size to a write-protected floppy disk, the files are not copied to the floppy disk and no warning message is given. Also, when you move files less than 512 bytes in size to a write-protected floppy disk, the files are not copied to the destination drive but are deleted from the source drive without warning.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in File Manager in Windows versions 3.1 and 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. This problem does not occur in Windows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, remove write-protection from the floppy disk before moving or copying small files, or use an MS-DOS command prompt to copy or move small files to a floppy disk.

MORE INFORMATION

When you copy or move files of 512 bytes or larger to a write-protected floppy disk, File Manager displays a warning message indicating that access to the disk has been denied and suggests that the disk may be full or write- protected.

When you copy files smaller than 512 bytes to a write-protected floppy disk, File Manager displays a dialog box on the screen indicating that it is opening, copying, and closing the files. However, File Manager does not copy the files to the write-protected disk.

Moving files smaller than 512 bytes to a write-protected floppy disk also results in File Manager displaying a dialog box that indicates it is opening, copying, and closing the files; however, File Manager does not copy the files to the write-protected disk, and, in fact, the files are deleted from the source disk without warning.

NOTE: This problem occurs when copying or moving files from either a hard disk drive or a floppy disk drive to a write-protected floppy disk.