DOS limitations

[still_learning]

I've been trying to copy a folder and group of subfolders from C:\program_files to another hard drive. The first folder and several layers of subfolders copy fine, but the deepest subfolders aren't copied. When I tried to view that subfolder using DOSSHELL or DOS Navigator, neither can open it. I can open it fine in Windows or Linux. Is there a depth limit on subfolders DOS can access or a limit to the number of characters in a path? Is there some place these and similar limits would be documented? I've tried searching Google but apparently I'm not using the correct search terms.

[Dias de verano]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&q=dos+path+max+length+characters&btnG=Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

Did you mean real MS-DOS or Windows command prompt? And if the latter, which type of Windows? And does your Program Files folder really have an underscore in the name?

[still_learning]

I'm using Windows 98SE. The program files directory uses the standard windows given name. I am booting to real DOS with a bootdisk. The actual path as copied from the Windows address bar is:

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C:\Program Files\Connectix\Virtual PC 5.1 Online Installer\Installer\program files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PCThe last subfolder and everything beyond it is not copied and I can't access them while in DOS.

[WillyW]

I'm using Windows 98SE. The program files directory uses the standard windows given name. I am booting to real DOS with a bootdisk. The actual path as copied from the Windows address bar is:

Code: [Select]

C:\Program Files\Connectix\Virtual PC 5.1 Online Installer\Installer\program files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PCThe last subfolder and everything beyond it is not copied and I can't access them while in DOS.

Try using double quote marks around the path that you describe.

copy  C:\Program Files\Connectix\Virtual PC 5.1 Online Installer\Installer\program files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC    c:\some_dir
will not work.

copy "C:\Program Files\Connectix\Virtual PC 5.1 Online Installer\Installer\program files\Connectix\Connectix Virtual PC"  c:\some_dir
should.

Experiment with it a bit.   You'll get the idea quick enough.   

I hope this helps.

[Dias de verano]

I'm using Windows 98SE. I am booting to real DOS with a bootdisk.

The explanation is that you are using MS-DOS version 7. All versions of MS-DOS limit a file name including path to 80 characters. The path+filename you quoted is 113 characters long.

[still_learning]

All versions of MS-DOS limit a file name including path to 80 characters.

That explains it. Even using truncated names, some of the subfolders still push the length to over 100 characters.

I'm familiar with 3rd party drivers that overcome the long file name limitation. Does anyone make a driver, modified file, etc that will raise this limitation? Do any of the other versions of DOS (FreeDOS, 4DOS, etc) have higher limits?

[Dias de verano]

I think this is a limitation of all versions of MS-DOS and the other non-MS "DOS" variations.

Anyway, that doesn't mean you can't get to the folder you are interested in and perform operations on the files therein.

You don't have to use the full path, you can just CD from folder to folder down the path until you get there.

Or go part way until the path remaining is less than 80 chars