Why do files with commas in their names disappear when zipped by XP's inbulit compression software?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laphan
  • Start date Start date
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Laphan

Hi All

I don't know if you are going to be able to help me on this one, because it
only happens on 2 out of the 4 Win XP Professional PCs we have, but I will
give it a try.

Basically if I have a file or folder with a comma in the name and I
right-click on it and send it to Win XP's own in-built 'Compressed (zipped)
file' from the context menu, when I try to extract these same files from the
compressed archive they've disappeared.

An example is as follows:

1) I create a folder called Test.

2) I put 2 files in this folder one called Rob, test.txt and one called Rob
test.txt

3) I right click on the Test folder and 'Send to' the Compressed (zipped)
file option.

4) When I open/extract the compressed file, only one file remains in the
folder and that is the one WITHOUT the comma.

This goes one further that if I have a sub folder with a comma in the name
then this folder and all it's contents with disappear as well.

It's as if the comma is a special path delimiter and because a comma is in
the name the preceding files down the files and folders hierarchy are lost.

For your ref, these 2 machines have had this problem throughout the
different updates and service packs of WinXP and are currently on the
latest. The other 2 machines have also gone through these same updates and
they are fine.

We can't re-install the OS on these machines as there are a lot of
development progs on these that would take an age to re-install, so does
anybody have any idea what this could be and how we can resolve it?

Many thanks.

Rgds


Laphan
 
from the wonderful person said:
Hi All

I don't know if you are going to be able to help me on this one, because it
only happens on 2 out of the 4 Win XP Professional PCs we have, but I will
give it a try.

Basically if I have a file or folder with a comma in the name and I
right-click on it and send it to Win XP's own in-built 'Compressed (zipped)
file' from the context menu, when I try to extract these same files from the
compressed archive they've disappeared.
Click to expand...

<snip>

The Windows XP built-in-zip handler has several problems, or which
strange characters in filenames is just one. I personally suggest you
dump it (start, run, regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll), and install something
which works right (I use winzip, which is widely available on PC cover
disks).
 
The problem has to do with the comma. A comma signifies to the computer
that it is the end of a line hence the command goes no further. Where
did you ever get the idea to use a comma? Stop using them. If you want
to confuse the computer even further use a semi-colon. There are certain
types of punctuation you cannot use in a program name, cetainly commas
and semi-colons are two. There are probably more. I suggest you do a
Google search for a list of things you cannot put in program or file
name. :-)
 
Hi Guys

Many thanks for the quick reply and clarification, but:

1) Can u give me any further info on this bug.

2) Why is it that 2 x WinXP machines can perform this task without problems,
but the other 2 can't?

3) Has MS recognised it?

4) What is the reason for it?

Rgds

Laphan


Hi All

I don't know if you are going to be able to help me on this one, because it
only happens on 2 out of the 4 Win XP Professional PCs we have, but I will
give it a try.

Basically if I have a file or folder with a comma in the name and I
right-click on it and send it to Win XP's own in-built 'Compressed (zipped)
file' from the context menu, when I try to extract these same files from the
compressed archive they've disappeared.

An example is as follows:

1) I create a folder called Test.

2) I put 2 files in this folder one called Rob, test.txt and one called Rob
test.txt

3) I right click on the Test folder and 'Send to' the Compressed (zipped)
file option.

4) When I open/extract the compressed file, only one file remains in the
folder and that is the one WITHOUT the comma.

This goes one further that if I have a sub folder with a comma in the name
then this folder and all it's contents with disappear as well.

It's as if the comma is a special path delimiter and because a comma is in
the name the preceding files down the files and folders hierarchy are lost.

For your ref, these 2 machines have had this problem throughout the
different updates and service packs of WinXP and are currently on the
latest. The other 2 machines have also gone through these same updates and
they are fine.

We can't re-install the OS on these machines as there are a lot of
development progs on these that would take an age to re-install, so does
anybody have any idea what this could be and how we can resolve it?

Many thanks.

Rgds


Laphan
 
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