The original Command Line did in fact have the /H switch, so my "theory" is that it was the typo in the target specification, as I noted. Though it was stated they tried all sorts of combinations (which they didn't really describe at the time), it would be consistent with what we've been told, I think; the only alternative would be xcopy ignoring switches and just doing what it wants.
1. standard copy from Windows Explorer Copy/Paste. This wouldn't copy hidden or system files (uness they were set to be visible, I think). This would be seen.
2. Original xcopy attempts. The command lines they used would copy to an L directory/folder, and not to the L: drive. The files on L: would remain unchanged, still being the same as the results from the Copy Paste, since the files would not be being copied there.
3. the "Fixed" one actually working as claimed leaves me rather stymied. It seems likely they fiddled with it a bit, and that it was not the actual command they ran, but rather a variant where they added extra switches.
Thanks BC_Programmer, I will try to address your points:
The variations I tried I did describe, perhaps not clearly, where I mentioned the "L" vs. "L:" and "\L" and "\L:" permutations. I didn’t reformat the card after each attempt, and ran the commands one after the other, so that might account for your theory assertion.
In the end I reformatted the card once more before using the tomshardware command. I didn’t fiddle with that and ran it exactly as posted. No alleged “Finger trouble”.
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Two other things – format and DIR
I mentioned there is another consideration, and wonder why no one asked or if it is in fact a factor - the manner of formatting the card before the copies.
Before the tomshardware string I tried long form format and quick format, and at the time wondered if there was anything to consider regarding FAT vs. NTFS or some other formatting and if that was the cause of the initial problem. The last format I did before the successful command was a quick format.
The xcopy command output said 24k files were copied, after that the DIR command showed far less, I put it out there to see if maybe I was doing something wrong with the DIR command to show all the files. No one said anything about it so I guess not.
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So hey, foxidrive, had I seen your robocopy command before the tomshardware one I would have certainly tried it out, it was just down to the timing. After that there was no reason to do it again with a different command. I started using the phone and the contents of the card changed from that point.
Calling me out with “got all aggressive about everything” whilst peppering your responses with that amount of condescending and pejorative language “Claim” “You're welcome.” “thankfully” “It's looking very much that way” ”total lack of ability” ”giggled” “the fellow had no clue,” won't hold my breath”, etc. is a bit pot/kettle/black.
I didn’t ‘claim’ anything – I stated the issue, posted what I tried, the failures, and the results.
Though while putting on a negative spin on how I attempted and achieved what I set out to do and posturing yourself as Guardian Of Future Readers, there is nothing in my content that should mislead and certainly was not my intent - I have been completely transparent in my purpose, my failed attempts, and what I did to resolve it.
You seem to read into things that are not there - it may be an ego thing, a comprehension thing, or just pure misunderstanding. You seem to struggle with this and look for opportunities to be adversarial and vitriolic. And so I respond in kind.
The commands above will not give a complete copy of all files regardless of file attributes.
I admitted then I didn’t know why what I tried at first didn’t work to try and understand it, and I admit now I don’t know why what I did in the end worked. It is less “what he believes is true” and more the results.
The noob in me bows to your DOS prowess, but unless what DIR is telling me is wrong and hence my question at the top of this post, the reality is
all the files, dirs and permissions came over with that tomshardware command.
While I had an interest to understand the commands better while I still had the problem, once it was solved I no longer had that interest, and for future card upgrades I would most likely use the same command or try that robocopy suggestion.
So questions to the almighty foxidrive: did
you try these commands, do DIRs after them, and get different results? Why did the tomshardware advice work the first time on a freshly-formatted card?
As the test can be done with any memory card, there is no real reason for me with my cards to do it.
When you can answer these then you can take the pebble from my hand.
You may well be a Good Guy on this forum, but as pretty much everyone puts their foot in it at some point, it’s about how you pull your foot out that people will remember you for.