Incorrect Error Message with Long Directory Name on FAT

ID: Q103372

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When you run the Windows NT Command Prompt and try to change the current directory (using the CD command) to a nonexistent directory using a long directory name (longer than eight characters, not including an extension) on a file allocation table (FAT) file system, you will receive the following incorrect error message:

Access is Denied.

If you are on a drive that uses the Windows NT file system (NTFS), the CD command will return the correct error message, which is:

The system cannot find the path specified.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

From the Main group, start the Command Prompt and change to a drive that uses the FAT file system.

Type cd <long_filename> where <long-filename> is a nonexistent name with more than eight characters (not including the extension, if any). For example, "cd newutilities".

At this point, the above error message will appear.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords : kbtool
Version : winnt:3.1; :3.1
Platform : winnt
Issue type :