KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q119350: DIR/CHKDSK Behavior w/ More Than 32,768 Files in Subdirectory

Article: Q119350
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:4.01,5.0,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 19-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 4.01, 5.0, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Additional query words: DIR CHKDSK 32767 4.01 5.00 6.00 6.2 6.21 6.22

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS401
Version           : MS-DOS:4.01,5.0,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.