[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Clint, > > The program has the main use of backing up and restoring long file names. > > This goes back to the whole issue, when Win98 was originally released, of > letting you, for whatever reason, save and restore the long file names of > files as found in Win98. Since a number of people were going from either > Win95 or earlier, and were still used to the 8.3 file convention from Dos > days, they had a problem of how to handle the new long file name format, > especially with regard to backup and restore programs, but also any number > of Dos programs, which still used the 8.3 file format. > > HOWEVER, the program has a fundamental (and potential fatal to Window's > operation) flaw when this whole subject is looked at, as I found out for > myself when I tried to use it. > > The issue is the whole subject of how Windows generates the short file > name, using the ~ convention. Supposed you have 2 files which differ in > file name quite far in the file name, such as abcdefghij1.xxx and > abcdefghij2.xxx - if you did a directory listing where the files existed, > you would find the 8.3 convention would have them listed as abcdef~1.xxx > and abcdef~2.xxx. HOWEVER, if you moved them in reverse order (that is the > 2 file before the 1 file) to a different directory, the 8.3 file names > would end up being reversed in many cases, so now abcdef~1.xxx would be > abcdefghij2.xxx, and abcdef~2.xxx would be abcdefghij1.xxx. Not a real big > thing *** IF *** you are using the long file names with the 8.3 file names. > > HOWEVER, if you had used the SULNBK.EXE program to save your long file > names, for later restoring, NOW you got *** BIG TROUBLE ***!!!!! When you > now run the program to restore your long file names, the long file names > will be restored based on the ORIGINAL 8.3 file names that were in use when > the program was run. > > In this example case, the result is not major. HOWEVER, if you do a search > on ANY computer system running a non-NT version of windows using long file > names (later 95, 98, ME), for file names with ~ in the 7th position of the > file name, you will find a TON of them existing, and in many cases, you > will have a number of duplicate names in the first 6 character positions - > the difference is ONLY in the 8th character position of the name(s). As > long as the long file names remain intact, this will not be a problem. *** > BUT *** if you run this program, to save the long file names, with the > intention of restoring them later, leaving you only with directories and > files only with the 8.3 file names, the potential for disaster is > unbelievable. > > For example, to see the problems, all you have to do is do a fresh install > of Win98, run the program to save the long file names, and then re-run to > restore the names - dont move any files or directories, or delete anything, > during the whole process. > > You get any number of file name problems in both directions - and later the > more programs you create or install, the worst the problems get. Since many > of the file names involved are base windows programs, needed for windows to > operate properly, windows just ends up having problems like you would not > believe. > > I have NO idea WHO at Microsoft, or elsewhere, wrote this program, but it > is SEVERELY flawed, since it uses ONLY the CURRENT 8.3 file name found when > the program is run, in either direction, as the basis for saving and > restoring the long file names of directories and files in windows. MUCH > more should have been included and used for save and restore criteria, such > as checksums, dates/times, and any number of other factors, to guarentee > the right name got saved/restored with the right directory/file. > > My personal advice - USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!! > > Ralph >
Hi All. Thanks - EVERYONE.. for your help with this file. I got that email.. btw, just from one person. and she was positive it was a vir**.. Otherwise, she'd have never sent me that email. It' wasn't a "mass mailing". it was sent to me.. and to a few other people in her address book.. and when she said, that her husband, deleted it from his computer. as well as hers..(and her husband.. builds computers.).. well, I didnt' even hesitate and I just deleted it. But that said, I wont' do that EVER AGAIN.. LOL.. from now on. I'll check the site,, that everyone recommends. I just bookmarked it.. and will check it from now on.. Also, as far as using the Windows CD .. I did.. (also - the system restoration disk). and I couldn't find the file anyplace.. So, Carole was so kind, and sent it to me.. And I do appreciate it. (others sent it to me also. Thank you all).. It's back, in it's rightful place.. but now.. after reading your email, Ralph.. <smile>. you can be SURE I wont' ever use the file.. LOL.. Actually, I never knew it existed before.. so I guess I never had a need for it. and probably never will.. Thanks again .. to everyone.. Helene ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
