XCOPY from LFN-Only Drive to SFN-Only Drive Generates Errors

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

If you use the XCOPY command to copy files from a drive that supports only long filenames (such as an OS/2 HPFS drive) to a drive that supports only short filenames (such as a Microsoft Windows for Workgroups peer server), you may receive one or more error messages similar to the following:

  - The system cannot find the file specified.
  - The system cannot find the path specified.
  - Access is denied.
  - The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
  - The specified path is invalid.

CAUSE

One or more of the files you are trying to copy has a filename that does not conform to the MS-DOS 8.3 naming convention. If a short filename is not provided, Xcopy may be unable to create the file on the destination drive.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that all the files (and folders) you want to copy have filenames that conform to the 8.3 naming convention. Also, make sure that the filenames that will be created on the destination drive will not exceed the path name limit of 64 characters.

Note that the /c switch for the XCOPY command instructs Xcopy to copy as many of the source files as it can, skipping those files that cannot be copied.