you need to find the DOS version of the path.
In the original DOS system, files and directories were limited to lengths of 8 characters with a 3 character suffix (known as 8.3 format). With the introduction of 32 bit systems (starting at win95 - just!) this restriction was partially lifted. The limits of the names were increased (not sure what they are now, but have a look round & you'll find it), but they could not be totally removed as win 95 & 98 were based on the original DOS. So each file had 2 names, the visible name and the name the filing system used, still in the 8.3 format.
directories over 8 chars long were condensed to the 1st 6 chars then ~1, ~2, ~3, etc to make them unique. Filenames were treated in the same way, but just reduced their suffix to 3 letters, so C:\WindowsNT\Northwind.database.file would become C:\windo~1\northw~1.dat (or maybe .fil, not sure now!).
I am sure there are functions out there to lookup these filenames, but not sure what they are now.
I hope I've got you started, let me know how you get on.
Ben ----------------------------------
Ben O'Hara
bo104@westyorkshire.police.uk
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