DIR /O:N /S Does Not Sort Directory Names in Alphanumeric Order (135604)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q135604 SYMPTOM
When you run the DIR /O:N /S command at a Windows NT command prompt to list
directory names in ascending alphanumeric order, the directory names that
contain one or more numbers are listed after, instead of before, the names
containing only letters.
This problem occurs only with directory name listings; program and data
files are listed in the correct order.
Example
Your C drive has the following directories:
C:\WIN32
C:\WINDOWS
C:\444
You issue the DIR /O:N /S command and the output appears in the following
incorrect sort order:
C:\WINDOWS
C:\WIN32
C:\444
The directories should be listed in the following order:
C:\444
C:\WIN32
C:\WINDOWS
CAUSE
The directories are located on a Windows NT partition using the file
allocation table (FAT) file system.
WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, convert your FAT partition to use the Windows
NT file system (NTFS).
To convert your FAT partition to NTFS use the Windows NT CONVERT.EXE
utility program. To get help on CONVERT.EXE, type the following at a
Windows NT command prompt:
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51.
We are researching this problem and will post new information here in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 5/7/2003 |
|---|
| Keywords: | kbother KB135604 |
|---|
|