Re: Can't Rename a File Using WinXP Command Prompt!!!

John Burke wrote:
SITUATION: I have a file in WinXP whose name is too long. It cannot
be opened. It needs to be given a shorter name so that it can be
opened.

PROBLEM: I cannot rename it using the Command Prompt and the
appropriate DOS command >> REN <<

PARTICULARS:

1. I've changed the directory to the appropriate sub-directory

2. I've used the DIR command to list the files in this
sub-directory. The file I'm looking for _was_ listed therein.

3. I've _repeatedly_ used the REN command

REN OldFileName.* NewFileName.*

I've typed in the OldFileName.* _exactly_ as it was listed in the
results of the DIR command. _Every_ time I've done so, I get a >>
The syntax of the command is incorrect << error message.

4. I've used the >> DIR OldFileName << Command to see if the
specific file I'm trying to rename would be recognized. It was
_not_ -- I get a >> File not found << error message (Even though,
as noted in Item 2 above, the DIR command for the sub-directory in
which it was located _does_ list it!).

5. The old filename in question contains the following symbols as
part of its name:

[PartofFileName] - Opening and closing brackets

''PartofFileName'' - Two single stroke quotation marks repeated
before and after portions of the file name text (to simulated
quotation marks that WinXP filenames will not allow

-- PartofFileName -- - Double Dashes that seperate portions of the
file name text

6. The type of file I'm trying to rename is an askSam file >> *.ask
<<. I'm trying to open it with askSam version 6.1.

7. I've done this before. This is the first time I've been unable
to rename a too-long filename using this method.

QUESTION: How do I rename (shorten) this filename so I can open it?

Sounds like the filename + directory path may be too long.
Use the SUBST command to associate the folder the file is located in with
its own drive letter and then change into that 'new drive' and rename
there...

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Renaming files using wildcards
    ... When I strip down the filenames of their ... spaces, the rename works well. ... strip the filename of it's spaces, ... rename command can't find the file name to rename when it ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Cant Rename a File Using WinXP Command Prompt!!!
    ... It needs to be given a shorter name so that it can be ... I've used the DIR command to list the files in this sub-directory. ... The old filename in question contains the following symbols as part ... The type of file I'm trying to rename is an askSam file>> *.ask ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Cant Rename a File Using WinXP Command Prompt!!!
    ... It needs to be given a shorter name so that it can be ... I've used the DIR command to list the files in this sub-directory. ... The old filename in question contains the following symbols as part ... The type of file I'm trying to rename is an askSam file>> *.ask ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Great SWT Program
    ... a good tutorial on Unix CLI tools? ... command there, ... then rename everything in the search scope with the CLI, ... I'd have to boot up a Windows system and try stuff, ...
    (comp.lang.java.programmer)
  • Re: Renaming multiple files
    ... PcCare used advanced batch file techniques in his reply. ... This command enumerates all .jpg files in the current ... folder and invokes the "rename" subroutine, ... This command sets the variable "filename" to the value ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)