why i can't create a folder named "con" in Windows XP?
& how to create a folder that has no name (ie; in explorer that name doesn't appear)!
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Well, I already posted my reply in this thread [check out #2 above]. But I thought it was not sufficient and so my this reply has more information [and is probably better].
Que - 1 Why one cannot create a folder with name con in windows OSes?
ANSWER - The first OS in windows family [probably windows 95 was first one] was based on MS-DOS (short for Microsoft Disk Operating System). MS-DOS was based on three files basically----->
(a) io.sys
(b) command.com
(c) msdos.sys
The file io.sys contained information about device drivers for various devices and contained following words in it:
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NAME--------------------------------------------STANDS FOR (probably)
con --------------------------------------------console
nul --------------------------------------------Bit-bucket device
prn --------------------------------------------print or printer
aux -------------------------------------------auxiliary
CLOCK$ ----------------------------------------System real-time clock
com0 -------------------------------|
com1--------------------------------|
com2--------------------------------|
com3--------------------------------|
com4--------------------------------|---------->COM ports
com5--------------------------------|---------->(serial communication prot)
com6--------------------------------|
com7--------------------------------|
com8--------------------------------|
com9--------------------------------|
lpt0-----------------------------------|
lpt1-----------------------------------|
lpt2-----------------------------------|
lpt3-----------------------------------|
lpt4-----------------------------------|---------->LPT ports
lpt5-----------------------------------|---------->parallel printer port
lpt6-----------------------------------|
lpt7-----------------------------------|
lpt8-----------------------------------|
lpt9-----------------------------------|
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If you try to name a folder using one of these reserved names, the name will automatically revert to the default, generally "New Folder". Moreover, if you try to use a reserved name to name a file such as a Notepad or Microsoft Word document you will generally receive an error message similar to the following:
"con-This filename is a reserved device name-Please choose another name"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~{CHECK OUT ATTACHED IMAGE}
Depending on exactly how you save the file, you may instead receive a warning message advising that a file with that name already exists. However, even if you choose "Yes" to overwrite the existing file, you will still not be allowed* to save the file.
~Note~: It may be possible to create a folder using a reserved name via the command prompt. However, this may cause other problems and is not advisable.
The file IO.sys can still be found ---> C:\io.sys. But while you are logged on to windows you would not be able to view it's contents (i don't know reasons for this, probably Microsoft wanted to save the file from getting damaged), it's file size is shown as 0 bytes. But if you boot up using any OS other than one belonging to windows family of OSes you can view it's contents using any text viewer and you will certainly see all names mentioned above there.
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Que 2 - How to create a folder that has no name?
ANSWER -
1. Just create a new folder or right click any folder and click "rename"
2. Hold down ALT key and press 0160 (i.e. ALT+0160) on the right numeric keypad on your keyboard and then release ALT.
~Note here that if you press 0160 on the numbers buttons above alphabet keys on keyboard this will not work.
3. Press ENTER (or return) and you will get what you wanted.
To make multiple folders with no name, simply repeat STEP 2 above as many times as you want before STEP 3.
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If you don't get it tell me, I will explain in greater detail
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HOPE THIS HELPED......................
ambrnewlearner
16
