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Backup failed: filename too long!

allan38 Posted messages 111 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -  
junico Posted messages 129 Status Member -
Hello,
I need to format a PC and reinstall Windows, but when I back up the files to an external hard drive that I use frequently, I get a message saying that the file names are too long and that I need to rename them to something like 6 characters. The only problem is that many of the files contain dates in their names, and if I rename them, I will lose that information, which makes organizing them later a hassle.

I looked it up on Google and found that the file format does not support long file names, while some files on the external hard drive are actually much longer than the maximum that Windows seems to allow me...

The PC is running XP SP1, and the external hard drive is in NTFS (or FAT32; I don't have it on hand to check, but it's standard).

Did I explain myself clearly? I'm available for any questions.

Thank you for your help,
Sincerely,

Allan

Configuration: Windows Seven Premium 64 Bit
Intel Core i5 - 650 (4.2 GHz)
4GB of RAM
Ati Radeon 5770 HD

2 answers

  1.
    junico Posted messages 129 Status Member 17
     
    Hello,
    The maximum number of characters for a path + file name is 255.
    If this number is exceeded, your problem occurs.
    If you cannot modify the file names, look at what you can retrieve by modifying the names of the folders and subfolders.
    Another solution is to share folders and assign them a letter, like a network drive. This way, the letter represents all the contents of the folder and its subfolders.
    Good luck
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  2. allan38 Posted messages 111 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   16
     
    Hello,
    the file names have a maximum of 15 characters... so the issue shouldn't be present..
    Regarding sharing, I thought about it, but it's a computer that has never been connected to a network, except once last week when it worked, but last night at my place, no connection was available in network connections and I couldn't get it to connect with my Freebox.... I will try again tonight; I just remembered that if I can't get the Ethernet to work, I must have a Wi-Fi USB key lying around, I'll try that tonight and keep you updated!

    Thank you for your help.
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    1. junico Posted messages 129 Status Member 17
       
      RE...
      Unless your error message concerns your original hard drive, but your external hard drive!!
      Try writing on it to see?
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    2. junico Posted messages 129 Status Member 17
       
      RE....
      I think and I'll get back to you again,
      Tell me, you can also zip your files, right? Even simpler and no more issues with overly long names.
      Looking forward to hearing from you.
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    3. allan38 Posted messages 111 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   16
       
      I don't see why it would come from the internal hard drive; I'll test the external hard drive tonight when I get home.
      I also thought about zipping everything up, but I don't have enough space on the hard drive. I asked the owner to do some cleaning, but I don't think it will be enough..
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    4. junico Posted messages 129 Status Member 17
       
      You can't zip to an external drive?? HDD; PC; ....
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    5. allan38 Posted messages 111 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   16
       
      Well, I managed, more or less lol! I first wanted to try 7Zip and save the archive on my USB drive, but 7Zip won't start on the machine. So the owner of the PC made some space, and I was able to create some zip files for backup. My problem is solved, and I thank you for your help.
      If anyone happens to see this post one day and knows the cause of the original problem, I invite them to mark it here, it will probably help someone else, and my personal curiosity will be better off! :)
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