DIR/CHKDSK Behavior w/ More Than 32,768 Files in Subdirectory (119350)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 4.01
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q119350

SYMPTOMS

The DIR and CHKDSK commands incorrectly report disk information on drives containing subdirectories with more than 32,767 entries. For specific examples, refer to the More Information section below.

WORKAROUND

The only workaround at this time is to move some files from the directory to another drive or subdirectory so that the total number of entries is fewer than 32,767.

MORE INFORMATION

DIR Command

  • If no filename or wildcard description is specified on the command line, DIR reports the total number of files in the subdirectory as 32,769. This number represents the total number of files or directories that DIR can see (32,767), plus the additional directories "." and "..".
  • If a file or directory name is specified on the command line, DIR behaves normally and successfully locates the file even if it is located beyond entry 32,767.
  • If a wildcard description is specified on the command line, DIR locates only the first file beyond entry 32,767 that matches the wildcard specification.

CHKDSK Command

  • Any files or subdirectories beyond entry 32,767 are incorrectly identified as lost allocation units by CHKDSK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/19/1999
Keywords:KB119350
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.