I recently discovered that I can't create any files that
start with "nconfig." (nconfig.txt, nconfig.sql, etc.) I
had several "nconfig.html" files in different directories
that belonged to an application I use. Now they are all
gone and attempts to restore them fail. I can't create a
new text file in a new folder that begins with "nfconfig."
but I can create a file by any other name.

I even started Windows2000 in safe mode and tried it from
the CMD prompt. Either in full windows or DOS it acts
like the file is created but not accessible. If you try
to list it it doesn't show. If you try to create it it
doesn't show but if you then try to copy or rename a file
to "nconfig.sql" for example it says the file already
exists.

Hi, Tyler.

I never heard of "nconfig", but Google gets over 2,800 hits. Here's the
first one:

http://hq.alert.sk/projects/nconfig/

The first line there says:
"NConfig library is designed to mimic and extend the Windows Registry
system. "

In your "DOS" window, type: dir C:\nconfig*.* /s /a

This might take a while on a large HD, but it should start in the Root of
Drive C: and search all directories and subdirectories, for all files
starting with nconfig, including hidden, system and read-only files. If
this doesn't turn up anything, then there are no such files on C:. If you
have multiple volumes, just change the C: to X: or whatever and go again
until you've checked them all.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(E-Mail Removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

"Tyler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:12bef01c3f69b$ac6a7e90$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I recently discovered that I can't create any files that
> start with "nconfig." (nconfig.txt, nconfig.sql, etc.) I
> had several "nconfig.html" files in different directories
> that belonged to an application I use. Now they are all
> gone and attempts to restore them fail. I can't create a
> new text file in a new folder that begins with "nfconfig."
> but I can create a file by any other name.
>
> I even started Windows2000 in safe mode and tried it from
> the CMD prompt. Either in full windows or DOS it acts
> like the file is created but not accessible. If you try
> to list it it doesn't show. If you try to create it it
> doesn't show but if you then try to copy or rename a file
> to "nconfig.sql" for example it says the file already
> exists.

I tried your suggestion but no files were found. The
following copy and paste will sum up the problem:

Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
(C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.

C:\>cd \temp

C:\Temp>dir change.txt
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 07D0-091B

Directory of C:\Temp

08/31/2003 11:08p 33 change.txt
1 File(s) 33 bytes
0 Dir(s) 10,134,388,736 bytes free

C:\Temp>copy change.txt nconfig.txt
1 file(s) copied.

C:\Temp>dir nconfig.txt
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 07D0-091B

Directory of C:\Temp

File Not Found

C:\Temp>rename attr1.gif nconfig.txt
A duplicate file name exists, or the file
cannot be found.

C:\Temp>rename attr1.gif xconfig.txt

C:\Temp>

Hi, Tyler.

To clarify...

> I tried your suggestion but no files were found.

Did you type Dir C:\nconfig*.* /s/a? Or C:\Temp\nconfig*.* /s/a?

Please copy'n'paste that dialog - the command and the response. The /s and
the /a are very important!

For the record, in my "DOS" window (I'm running WinXP Pro [5.1.2600], but
this should be the same in Win2K.) I can easily create a file or a folder
named nconfig, or rename a folder to or from that name.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(E-Mail Removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP

"Tyler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1350901c3f744$b5f7ab50$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I tried your suggestion but no files were found. The
> following copy and paste will sum up the problem:
>
> Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
> (C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.
>
> C:\>cd \temp
>
> C:\Temp>dir change.txt
> Volume in drive C has no label.
> Volume Serial Number is 07D0-091B
>
> Directory of C:\Temp
>
> 08/31/2003 11:08p 33 change.txt
> 1 File(s) 33 bytes
> 0 Dir(s) 10,134,388,736 bytes free
>
> C:\Temp>copy change.txt nconfig.txt
> 1 file(s) copied.
>
> C:\Temp>dir nconfig.txt
> Volume in drive C has no label.
> Volume Serial Number is 07D0-091B
>
> Directory of C:\Temp
>
> File Not Found
>
> C:\Temp>rename attr1.gif nconfig.txt
> A duplicate file name exists, or the file
> cannot be found.
>
> C:\Temp>rename attr1.gif xconfig.txt
>
> C:\Temp>