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# UNC-Format Path Affects the DIR Command

Article ID: 118399

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5

This article was previously published under Q118399

## SYMPTOMS

If you have a program item in Program Manager that points to a batch file on a remote server using a universal naming convention (UNC)-specified path and the batch file executes a DIR command followed by any parameter, when you start the program item, the following error message appears:
The system cannot find the file specified.
After running the batch file, if you execute a DIR command with any parameter from the command line, you will receive the same error message.
However, executing a DIR command on a remote directory using a UNC- specified path as follows does not return an error:

DIR \\<computer name>\<share name>\<directory>\<batch file name>

## STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1 and Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server version 3.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

## MORE INFORMATION

Listed below are examples of the program item command line, the contents of a batch file, and the result of selecting the program item.

### Program Item Command Line

\\<machine name>\<share name>\<directory>\<batch file name>

### Contents of Batch File

    echo off
    copy c:\winnt\system32\ras\modem.inf <UNC-format name addressed above>
    echo ..
    echo ..
    echo    Doing a directory to confirm file copy
    echo ..
    echo ..
    DIR *.inf
    echo ..
    echo    DONE
    pause

### Result Output

       \\<machine name>\<share name>\<directory>\<batch file name> >echo off

            1 file(s) copied.
    ..
    ..

       Doing a directory to confirm file copy

    ..
    ..
    The system cannot find the file specified.
    ..

       DONE

    Press any key to continue . . .

Additional query words: prodnt p page w wide

Keywords: KB118399