File Size and Date Reported Incorrectly On NTFS Drive

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

File Manager and the Windows NT Command Prompt DIR command incorrectly report file date, time, and size information.

CAUSE

This problems occurs when the file date, time, and size information stored in the directory entry for a file is not updated from the file date, time, and size information stored in the file record. As a result, file date, time, and size data are not displayed correctly when a non-specific or wildcard DIR command (one that does not explicitly specify a single file name) is issued.

This problem only affects files on Windows NT machines which have been modified by non-Windows NT client workstations.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, explicitly specify the file name in a DIR command, or open and close the file exhibiting the problem with an application.

MORE INFORMATION

The NTFS file system maintains the current date, time, and size in the file record. It also contains duplicate information in the directory entry for quick reference by applications that do not need to access the actual file data (such as the DIR command). This results in a substantial performance improvement when only the file date, time, or size is being requested.

For performance reasons, when an application has a file open NTFS ignores the directory copy of file date, time, and size information. When the file is closed, or when an application makes an explicit request to update the information, the directory copy of the information is updated.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.5. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K