4specs.com    4specs.com Home Page

Error message while copying files Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

4specs Discussion Forum » Computers, the Internet and Networking » Error message while copying files « Previous Next »

Author Message
David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI
Senior Member
Username: david_axt

Post Number: 1164
Registered: 03-2002


Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 07:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I am trying to download a large amount of files from a flash drive to the hard drive on my computer. Unfortunately I get a message during the download that the file name is too long and it stops downloading. Any ideas on how to copy the whole flash drive?
Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate, LEED-AP, MAI, RLA
Senior Member
Username: tsugaguy

Post Number: 254
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 09:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

copy to a path that is very short, like c:\1 or something like that, and see if that helps. if you have very long filenames or long complex path names in the files you are copying, and try to copy to an even longer path on your computer, it can exceed the maximum total length of path + filename. if you absolutely have to copy to a longer path name on your computer, there's a workaround for that by assigning a drive letter to that folder. you might have to set up a shared network folder first, even if you don't need a network folder, so you can make a UNC path in the map network drive dialog. then you aren't hindered by long filenames anyore. for security you could remove the folder sharing when you are done.
J. Peter Jordan (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 - 11:14 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

You might try editing the folder names on the flash drive which will resort in a shorter pathname.

Filename is the "local file" name; the name of the file in a particular folder.

Pathname contains not only the filename but the drive name and the names of all folders that contain that particular file. I seem to remember a bit of trivia that limits the pathname to 256 characters. That would seem to be reasonable with earlier versions of Windows. I would be surprised if that limit still exists on current versions of windows.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration