16-Bit Applications Fail if Path Names Are Longer Than Allowed by the 8.3 Naming Convention (203338)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

This article was previously published under Q203338

SYMPTOMS

When you use Client Services for NetWare (CSNW) or the IntranetWare Client with Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0, and you attempt to access 16-bit applications on a NetWare Server in Bindery mode, the applications fail to start. This behavior occurs if the path to the executable file from the drive mapping contains folder names that are longer than allowed by the 8.3 naming convention.

For example, the following path fails

\\Server\Exchange5.0\Windowsnt\Setup.exe

while this path succeeds:

\\Server\Exch5.0\Winnt\Setup.exe

With CSNW, when the path is too long, you receive the following error message:
Path not found
With the IntranetWare Client, you receive this error message:
Invalid path

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, rename the folders on the server to conform to the 8.3 naming convention, or map the drive to the application so that file names longer than allowed by the 8.3 naming convention are not in the path.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/10/2001
Keywords:kbbug kbnetwork KB203338