Cannot See All FPNW Files from Windows 95 Explorer

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft File and Print Services for NetWare
• Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you view a directory of files from a Windows 95 client (with Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks or Novell’s 32-bit Client for Windows 95 loaded) to a Windows NT Server 4.0 File and Print Services for NetWare (FPNW) volume or directory, not all of the files may be displayed using Windows Explorer, a command prompt, or Network Neighborhood. The shortened names for all the files appear if you view them with WINFILE from Windows 95.

CAUSE

This problem seems to be related to the way Windows 95 parses the files when retrieving a directory listing on the FPNW server. The Windows 95 client may or may not be able to view all of the files in a given FPNW directory, depending on the naming convention used by any client saving files to the FPNW server.

RESOLUTION

In the directory where the Windows 95 client cannot display or view all of the files, create a file named 00000000.000 with READ-ONLY and HIDDEN attributes.

The Windows 95 client should then be able to view all of the files when retrieving a directory list. In some cases, if using the 00000000.000 file does not work, you can correct this problem by creating, in the directory where the problem is occurring, a file named !!!!!!!!.!!! with READ-ONLY and HIDDEN attributes.

MORE INFORMATION

The problem only occurs with Windows 95 clients connecting to an FPNW server. Other NetWare clients (CSNW, NetX, and VLM clients) can view all files correctly when connecting to the FPNW server.