Flash Backup Problem

[Patience]

I got a surprise yesterday when I was trying to back up .doc and .xls files to a USB 2.0 flash as I do a couple of times each week.

But this time I got the message that “filename” could not be copied. “The path is too deep.” (There are fewer than a hundred characters in the file names effected. A wide range of files were impacted.)

A google search was confusing and suggested the problem could be anything from a failing hard drive to a Windows glitch.

I tried to directly load and save some of the files to the USB. They also would not save.

I can, however, continue to work on them as usual: load the file, change it, resave.

I tried the flash on another computer. There was no problem.

I tired a second flash. Same problem.

For the time being I’ve worked around this by mailing all of the files to a second computer and saving them to the flash from there. But that is temporary.

Questions:

How can I find out if this is a hardware issue? A Windows issue? An MSOffice issue?

I’m not at all technical and have no idea how to proceed.

Thanks for any advice you all can give me. :)

[Big Daddy]

Try renaming one of the problem files to something basic like file.doc, and moving it to the root C: drive before backing up to the flash.

Let us know.

[Mike]

Maybe try reformatting the flash drive. Just know that will erase all files on the drive.

[Big Daddy]

You could try a reformat on the flash, but it works on another PC so probably not gonna help.

For a temp solution, make a copy of the file in the same folder, and then MOVE it to the flash instead of COPY to the flash.

Oh yeah, try the copy in DOS.
That would eliminate Windoze being the issue.

[Hootmon]

Path Name Too Long sounds like an accurate error message.

Try movig it up a few levels in the folder structure and try again.

[Kung]

What he said.

[Patience]

Thank you for the suggestions.


I began with the first and may have stumbled into what is wrong. I copied the file within the same folder. When I tried the “move” command via the E:/ (flash) drive, the computer froze.


I went to My Computer and tried to look at the E:/ drive – again the computer froze.


I went through My Computer again and checked all the other drives, which showed up correctly. When I clicked on the E:/ drive again, the computer froze again.


I’m thinking the E:/ drive itself is malfunctioning.


If you agree that this line of thinking makes sense and is worth pursuing, my next move would be to take it to Best Buy (the geek squad, y’know?) and ask them to check it and, if defective, replace it.


Thanks in advance again, both for your advice and patience!

[Big Daddy]

Thank you for the suggestions.


I began with the first and may have stumbled into what is wrong. I copied the file within the same folder. When I tried the “move” command via the E:/ (flash) drive, the computer froze.


I went to My Computer and tried to look at the E:/ drive – again the computer froze.


I went through My Computer again and checked all the other drives, which showed up correctly. When I clicked on the E:/ drive again, the computer froze again.


I’m thinking the E:/ drive itself is malfunctioning.


If you agree that this line of thinking makes sense and is worth pursuing, my next move would be to take it to Best Buy (the geek squad, y’know?) and ask them to check it and, if defective, replace it.


Thanks in advance again, both for your advice and patience!Wouldn't hurt.
But you said it worked on another PC, and a different flash wouldn't work on this PC.
So it appears it is either hardware (USB port) or software (OS or driver)\
Try another USB port on the PC. Try a different USB device in that port.

Open My "puter first and plug the Flash in, does the E drive appear when Win sees the device? If it does, hit the F5 key several times. (Do this with the flash plugged in) Try accessing the Flash.

Check Device Manager, see if the USB is working properly. :scratch

BTW, what ver OS we talking here?

When I googled your error, there are tons of hits suggesting tons of causes and tons of solutions for each (as you stated). All going back years through several versions of Windows.

Some of the common causes seemed to be as Hoot suggested, long file name or long path to the file. Both seemed to be an issue with some network/server installs. Is your PC on a network?

[Patience]

Wouldn't hurt.
But you said it worked on another PC, and a different flash wouldn't work on this PC.
So it appears it is either hardware (USB port) or software (OS or driver)\
Try another USB port on the PC. Try a different USB device in that port.

Open My "puter first and plug the Flash in, does the E drive appear when Win sees the device? If it does, hit the F5 key several times. (Do this with the flash plugged in) Try accessing the Flash.

Check Device Manager, see if the USB is working properly. :scratch

BTW, what ver OS we talking here?

When I googled your error, there are tons of hits suggesting tons of causes and tons of solutions for each (as you stated). All going back years through several versions of Windows.

Some of the common causes seemed to be as Hoot suggested, long file name or long path to the file. Both seemed to be an issue with some network/server installs. Is your PC on a network?

Thank you so much for this.

My computer did recognize the E: when the flash is inserted.

When I clicked on F5, all that happened was the monitor screen flashed. Perhaps I'm assuming something and not doing it correctly?

Then i right clicked E: on My Computer, the system seemed to hang up.

I then did Ctrl/Alt/Del to get to the task mgr and it said that My Computer was "not responding."

I was interrupted, and in approx 30 secs. task mgr changed its mind and said that MC was responding. (This "fix" is new. Not sure where it came from.)

I right clicked on E: in MC again, and this time the normal menu came up. I opened E: and all seemed normal.

I went back to C: and tried to copy one of the problem files to the E: flash again. No sign of anything for about 30 secs, then the error message again:

"Cannot copy filename: The path is too deep."

I'm using XP with Service Pack 2 downloaded to it and it's on automatic update.

Perhaps I should add that MSOffice programs have been opening with around a 15 sec. delay about half the time over the past month ... have no idea if that helps or not. As if they were doing a thorough virus check or something ...

Thanks again for your help in sorting this!

[Big Daddy]

Ok, so if the flash is being accessed, then open up NOTEPAD and create a small TXT file, and save it to the root C: drive. Name it test.txt or something with a short name :)

Then try to MOVE it to the e: drive first.

If that works, try the copy cmd.

If these work, I would think the path/file name is too long or has some unwanted characters in it.

If these do not work, it could be a corrupted driver.
It could be a faulty chipset on the mother board.
If you are plugging into a USB port on the front of the case, it could be a faulty connector/wire that runs to the mother board.
If you are using a USB port plugged into the back of the PC, that would probably be plugged into a port on the edge of the mobo and would eliminate an internal cable, but add the physical port itself. In which case, try the other one, there are usually at least two.

If you ARE using the USB on the rear of the PC, do you have an extention or port replicator to bring that up to the desktop?

Eliminate all possible points of failure by going directly to the rear USB port without any cables or devices in between.

Lots of "could be's" here, but just try a process of elimination.

To me, I think we can assume the flash is good. It worked on another PC, and another Flash on this PC did not work.

Where are you plugging this baby in, directly into the back of the PC, a port on the front of the PC, or an add-on USB?