Long filename unreadable by Windows but can be read by Ubuntu

[Innocent Bystander]

Binary package hint: brasero

Using Ubuntu 9.04 x64. Brasero 2.26.1

I have seen that a similar bug report https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/brasero/+bug/349096 has been flagged as invalid. I think this is a valid bug report.

A quick description of the bug is: Ubuntu can read long file name in a data DVD written by a Windows software. The opposite is not always true. Brasero writes something in the DVD so that Windows only see capitalized 8.3 folder / file name. But when read under Ubuntu, all the long file names are intact.

It is not a long file name problem. Brasero can write long file name which is Windows compatible (meaning can be read by Windows and the long file name appears as the original name). Example (without quotes) "Ubuntu_0-94 - 64 bits Version.txt".

However, when the folder / file name is long and has symbol. Example (without quotes) "Ubuntu_0-94 - 64 bits Version (April 2009).txt" Then when the Burn button is clicked, Brasero UNCHECK the "Increase compatibility with Windows System" box. If you continue to burn the CD/DVD then the file / folder is transformed into captialized name and truncaeted to 8.3 format. Example: UBUNT_01.TXT. However if the CD/DVD is read using Ubuntu then the file name appears as its original name.

This is not not a technical support question, neither nitpicking a philosophical debate about who is better between Linux & Windows. This is an objective report about a simple and provable discrepancy. A file has a name, the file is written in a DVD. The DVD doesn't know which OS is going to read it. When Windows writes that file / folder name in the DVD, Ubuntu can read it. When Brasero writes the same file name in the DVD, Windows can no longer read it. There is no waring on Ubuntu system that states "Ubuntu can only read data DVD written specifically for Ubuntu". Therefore I assume that the DVD format must be universal and compatible between Windows & Ubuntu.

To reproduce this bug:

1. Create folder named: "Test Brasero Long File name (Aug.2009)"
2. Copy any binary file into this folder and rename it to: 01 - Brasero [2.26.1] and Ubuntu 9.04 x64.testBinary

Burn the CD/DVD and read it using Windows operating system. The folder and file names above must remain intact.

Suggestion: remove the "Increase compatibility with Windows System" option in Brasero burn dialog. Brasero just writes the file name into the DVD without transforming its length or casing. The way other CD burning softwares do.

[Pedro Villavicencio (pedro)]

Thanks for the report, that's known upstream : http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=589919 ; please drop your comments there.

[Innocent Bystander (galaxtri)]

Can you FWD my comment to the people at http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=589919 ?
I have created an account, activated, requested pwd change, etc. By I can never login. Alwyas get "The username or password you entered is not valid".

I have noticed above that you have rated the Importance of this bug as "Low". Upstream, the bug report is rated as "Unconfirmed". This is quite a giant bug. I am wondering what is the mechanism behind the rating of the importance of a bug.

[vladimir prieto (vladimirprieto)]

i got this bug too, even when uncheck "Increase compatibility with Windows System" option.

i'm using Ubuntu 9.04

by the way, i used k3b to get out of the trouble, and when click burn, it warns me about the name of the DVD (not filenames). Brasero doesn't warn me about this.