Filenames with Trailing Periods Not Found

• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you try to move, delete, copy, or rename a file whose name contains a trailing period (such as README.), you will receive the one of the following error messages.

If you are using File Manager:

   File Manager cannot move <filename and path>: The system cannot find
   the file specified. Make sure the correct path and filename are
   specified and the network is started.

   The system cannot find the file specified file.

   -or-

   Could not Find <filename and path>.

CAUSE

Windows NT cannot handle filenames with trailing periods. The only known way that Windows NT allows a file to have a trailing period is if the file was named/created by a Macintosh. In this case, the Windows NT Advanced Server must be running, or has run, Services for the Macintosh.

Macintosh users can name a file with a trailing period. That file may then be copied to Windows NT Advanced Server, but Windows NT Advanced Server will not remove the period, nor will the name translation process to 8.3 take care of the problem.

WORKAROUND

The file should be renamed from a Macintosh, so that it does not contain a trailing period.

To resolve this problem, upgrade to Windows NT Server version 3.5.

STATUS

This problem was corrected in Windows NT Server version 3.5.