Restructure File Order Permanently?

davidpey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
232
Hi all,

I've got a bit of a problem with file order. I have a number of files with the titles:

File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3
File 3.mp3
etc...

I noticed that when I burn the files to CD or copy them to flash drive (in the correct order), that my CD/flash drive player in my car reads the order incorrectly.

It reads the files in this order:

File 10.mp3
File 11.mp3
etc until...
File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3

Does anyone know how I can rename my files (or something else) which will play the files in the correct order?

Thanks,
David
 

Gnome

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
7,210
I think that 0's equal the amount of digits was implied ;)
 

LancelotSA

Banned
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
14,713
Actually, it didn't :confused:

I eventually figured out that it has to be:

001.mp3
002.mp3
...
089.mp3
...etc

It would have worked for your initial query where you only showed mp3 names going into double digits. You have now shown that you in fact have three digit titles so now, as stated correctly by you, you would need a further 0.

Remember computers do not read like we do...
 

Myrrdin

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
1,619
Hi all,

I've got a bit of a problem with file order. I have a number of files with the titles:

File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3
File 3.mp3
etc...

I noticed that when I burn the files to CD or copy them to flash drive (in the correct order), that my CD/flash drive player in my car reads the order incorrectly.

It reads the files in this order:

File 10.mp3
File 11.mp3
etc until...
File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3

Does anyone know how I can rename my files (or something else) which will play the files in the correct order?

Thanks,
David


I have actually noticed this also when I write AVI's to a dvd and watch it in my dvd player. On my computer the files are in the correct sequence but when I put it in the dvd player its all messed up. And its really irritating when you want to watch a series for eg. What I have discovered with my dvd player is that it takes capitalisation into account as well when it decides what order to play the files in. That could be why your 000x.mp3 worked but your xx01.mp3 did not. I dont know if its only a quirk with my dvd player or all players. Just something I noticed.
 

qinglung

Expert Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
1,664
IIRC, it's only since WinXP (maybe Win2k?) that Windows started to sort this way:
File 1
File 2
...
File 8
File 9
File 10
File 11

Instead of:
File 1
File 10
File 11
File 2
...
File 8
File 9

I recall Win98 still sorting the latter way, and you will still find certain apps that also sort it this way. So no, it's not quirk, most things sorted it that way until XP changed it :rolleyes:
 

Myrrdin

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
1,619
Hi all,

I've got a bit of a problem with file order. I have a number of files with the titles:

File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3
File 3.mp3
etc...

I noticed that when I burn the files to CD or copy them to flash drive (in the correct order), that my CD/flash drive player in my car reads the order incorrectly.

It reads the files in this order:

File 10.mp3
File 11.mp3
etc until...
File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3

Does anyone know how I can rename my files (or something else) which will play the files in the correct order?

Thanks,
David

IIRC, it's only since WinXP (maybe Win2k?) that Windows started to sort this way:
File 1
File 2
...
File 8
File 9
File 10
File 11

Instead of:
File 1
File 10
File 11
File 2
...
File 8
File 9

I recall Win98 still sorting the latter way, and you will still find certain apps that also sort it this way. So no, it's not quirk, most things sorted it that way until XP changed it :rolleyes:

If you look at his original post you would have seen that the order he listed them in is :
File 10.mp3
File 11.mp3
etc until...
File 1.mp3
File 2.mp3

Whereas if the problem was as you said the order would have been :
File 1.mp3
File 10.mp3
File 11.mp3
etc until...
File 2.mp3

Then he said that changing it to File 01.mp3 did not resolve the problem. That should have resulted in :
File 01.mp3
File 02.mp3
File 10.mp3
File 100.mp3
File 11.mp3

But did not.
I merely pointed out that some devices also use capitalisation for sorting as in my dvd player.

cap·i·tal·i·za·tion Show Spelled Pronunciation[kap-i-tl-uh-zey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. The use of capital letters in writing or printing.. :D
 

qinglung

Expert Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
1,664
Yes, I did notice that :p I wasn't commenting directly on the problem or offering a solution ;)

I was just mentioning how even different Windows do sorting differently, so it all depends on how sorting was implemented on the OS/device you want to use, it's not going to be consistent on everything. For all I know the OP might be using Linux which might be sorting in yet another way.
 
Last edited:

davidpey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
232
Well, interestingly, once I got the file order right in windows, my MP3 player read the order in a completely obscure manner.
 
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