Windows NT FTP Client Creates 0-Byte File

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

If you use the GET command with the Windows NT FTP client to transfer a nonexistent file, a file may be created with a size of 0 bytes.

CAUSE

The GET command copies a remote file to the local computer using the currently selected file transfer type. Before you transfer the file, the GET command creates a file with a length of 0 bytes while it checks to see if the file may be copied to the local computer. If the file transfer from the remote computer fails, the empty file may not be deleted.

WORKAROUND

Use the MGET command to transfer files instead of the GET command.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT Workstation and Server versions 3.51 and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.