I have run into a similar problem, usually with saved web pages that have
long names AND that are in low-level directories with long paths down to the
file. The fix is to either rename the files and/or directories leading to
the files, or to deletethem. The problem if that you can not use windows
explorer to do this, because the name is too long. (Funny, internet
explorer will save files that windows explorer can not handle; great design
by Microsoft.)
One "trick" is to use the "ERASE" or "RENAME" commands in a batch file run
in a command prompt. A batch file can be created in a simple editor, like
NOTEPAD. Just type what you would type at the command prompt. Save the
file, then rename it with the extnsion BAT instead of TXT. Double-click on
the file in windows explorer to run it. It will open a command prompt, run,
then close the prompt, unles you add the command "PAUSE" to the file, in
which case it will stop until you hit any key.
The other trick is to use wild cards, especially the "*". So, a command
might look like
ERASE very*.xxx
when the actual file name looks like
very long file name that keeps going on and on.xxx
Of course, be careful with wild cards, or you may erase more than you
bargined for. For example
ERASE *.* will erase everything in the directory.
One other trick, sometimes it is necssary to put double quotes around the
file name, if it has imbedded blanks.
Finally, realize that every file system has some limitation on maximum
length of file name and maximum length of nam including path. Some also
have limitations on level of sub-directories. The CD files systems commonly
used (UDF for drag & drop and Joilet for more univerally readable CDs) both
have lower limits than does XP. Good CD software will usually dect this and
offer to truncate the name/path. However, that only works if the name/path
is still within the limits of the operating system.
