Path is too deep?

gramlab

Trying to transfer files to an external hard drive and "path is too deep" keeps coming up.

What does this mean and how do I get around it?

NothingMan

It means you are trying to transfer a folder in a folder in another folder etc...

Basically sometimes a Hard drive won't recognise a file that is too far buried in a subfolder.

Ie: C:\documents\media\music\Rock\90's\pearljam\ten

Try moving the album Ten to
C:\documents\Pearljam\Ten.

Hope that helps.

seamus

Try shortening the name of the folder that you're copying the files to.

gramlab

Will try that

Cheers guys

gramlab

Tried the above - no joy.

Anyway, the folders I am transferring from and to are the same I always use (download movies and games to same folder each on PC and transfer to same folder each time on my passport) so I don't know why its happening.

Deleted a small file I had transferred previously and tried to transfer again but same message came up. Copy time goes up to ca. 100mins and then message appears. Have done usual scans and all seems OK.

Help:o

Biggins

There is two threads of thought on this

A: This error message can come from a failing hard disk drive (or an error on the drive your going TO). Run the manufacturer’s diagnostic program on the drive. Of course, if you have a Toshiba drive, you will not find their diagnostic program. I recommend SpinRite. This error message appears to spawn when the drive electronic’s times out trying to read data but gives the OS the wrong signal.

or

B: Path 254 characters or longer (including file name, that is). More than 10 spaces in a file path (back in Windoze 95 days).

For testing reasons alone, will it copy to a larger enough USB stick?

gramlab

Thought of the USB thing as well. Just manage to transfer a film to it but it took a long time (5mins compared to usual 30 seconds)

Biggins

Try copying the file(s) you want moved to a (new) folder on the root of "C" and then try move that (cut-paste) to a similar location on the external drive.

gramlab

Ran the diagnostic and the external failed. Its running an extended scan now but for some reason is also checking the internal drive, (even though it wasn't selected) so it could be a while. Don't know if it will identify anything specific that I can act on. Will have to wait and see I suppose.

Biggins

If the drive is looking like failing, copy your stuff off it as soon as possible.

Standard Toaster

Is it formatted with NTFS?

If it's formatted with FAT32 it will only allow a ax of 8 levels deep folderwise
NTFS doesn't have this limit.

polyfusion

I sometimes get the same message when trying to copy files to a USB stick. The path isn't too deep. When I disconnect my O2 USB modem, the transfer works fine. The modem is on 2 extensions (about 2 meters), so it's probably hardware related (modem drawing too much current perhaps, causing problems with other USB ports?).

rejohn

try "Long Path Tool" program

FanadMan

rejohn wrote: »

try "Long Path Tool" program

Err....that thread is nearly 7 years old

Skerries

yoyo

Zombie thread closed.