You've got OS9 right? If so, it's because that version is different in how it handled filenames from earlier OS's. OS9 lopped out the middle letters and left the ends on. In 8.6 and earlier, the OS just read the filenames 31 characters long and if it ran out of space to get the file designation in - oh well... Ooops. Not good for those who generally launch applications by clicking on the file icon. No designation, and the 'puter has no idea of what to do with the file. If it is an unassociated file *type*, like an .mp3 file from someone with Macast, it will at least ask you what application to handle the file with. If you don't add the filetype, it doesn't know what is what.