Long Filenames in Command Prompt

Xcert SG

Anyone knows why some Windows systems cannot allow long filenames in Command Prompt?

I have 2 computers installed with Windows XP Professional SP2.
Computer A in Command Prompt
C:\>cd Program Files
C:\Program Files>

Computer B in Command Prompt
C:\>cd Program Files
Too many parameters - Files

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Computer B - did you upgrade it from Win 9x/ME?

Is it a Fat32 system?

Xcert SG

Its a school lab environment...Both computers are licensed Windows XP Pro...OS should have came from installation CD/recovery CD...Both are not DIY PCs....so shouldnt be using any OEM software.

How to check if its Fat32?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Hmm... school lab environment... can verify from the school admin that it's not upgraded from Windows 9x/ME?

Open My Computer, select the drive once.

On your left hand side, you will see something like this:

File System - tells you if it's NTFS or FAT32

Or right click on the drive, select Properties. You will see File System - FAT32/NTFS

Xcert SG

Both are NTFS.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

On Computer B, can try this instead:

Start > Run and type in cmd.exe

Then try again.

Xcert SG

Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:
On Computer B, can try this instead:

Start > Run and type in [b]cmd.exe

Then try again.[/b]

thanks mayi...problem solved...but not really understood... Embarassed

isnt "command" and "cmd" the same when running from Windows XP?

Anyway for all interested....when using "command", the header that comes out is

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

In this mode,long filename is not supported

for "cmd",the header is

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

In this mode,long filename is supported.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

command - is the Windows 9x/ME version of Command Prompt. This old version doesn't support long file names.

cmd - is the NT version of Command Prompt, or rather, the newest version that ships with all NT family of Windows. It supports long file names.

Xcert SG

I stand corrected.

Thanks mayi for making the effort to solve my issue. Embarassed Laughing Mr. Green