During a file transfer I receive the error "The path is too long." and the transfer aborts.
Cause
This error is generated when the total length of the path to a file involved in the transfer exceeds 254 characters. This is a limitation of the file system not being able to accommodate paths that are too long.
Solution
Re-organize your directory structure so the path to the file(s) is less than 254 characters in
length.
Tip: The steps below should help you locate the source of this error. You should
have a basic familiarity with navigating your file system in DOS before proceeding with these
steps.
1. Click on the
Start menu and select
Run.
2. Open up a DOS command prompt by typing in
COMMAND (if you have Windows NT/2K/XP) or
CMD (if you have Windows 9x/ME).
3. Use the
cd DOS command to switch to the directory that you are attempting to
synch. For example if you are trying to synchronize
C:\Documents and Settings\AlexS\My Documents, you would type in the
command
cd "C:\Documents and Settings\AlexS\My Documents"
.
4. Type in the following command:
dir *.* /b /s > dir.txt
After entering in the last command, you will see a flashing cursor as a list of all
directories and subdirectories is compiled and outputted to the dir.txt file. Once the flashing
cursor has disappeared, you will again be at a command prompt. Now type in the following command:
notepad dir.txt
This will open up the dir.txt file in Notepad. From here you can scan through the list to
help you identify paths that exceed 254 characters in length.
Product: ShareDirect
KB: 1051
Last updated: Sep 5, 2008
Keywords:
File Transfer: Drag & Drop
File Transfer: As backup
File Transfer: Xchange Agent
File Transfer: Clone Folder
File Transfer: Error messages
File Transfer: Clone
Platforms:
- WinXP
- WinMe
- Win98/SE
- WinNT
- Win2K
- Win95
Wildcards (internal use):
- File Transfer
- Drag & Drop
