When I started trying to figure out what is going on with these file names, I searched and read other posts and have found the same problem described in other threads. The current thread was started by someone else. I use both techtool pro and norton system works and neither program finds any software or hardware problems. I am pretty sure that this is not a problem unique to my machine. I will say that I own alot of software and would not be suprised if there was a preferences Issue. But I don't want to trash all my preferences; It would take weeks to restore them. So I guess that I don't mind helping but I would need to have some idea of where to start.

When I started trying to figure out what is going on with these file names, I searched and read other posts and have found the same problem described in other threads. The current thread was started by someone else. I use both techtool pro and norton system works and neither program finds any software or hardware problems. I am pretty sure that this is not a problem unique to my machine. I will say that I own alot of software and would not be suprised if there was a preferences Issue. But I don't want to trash all my preferences; It would take weeks to restore them. So I guess that I don't mind helping but I would need to have some idea of where to start.

You get these extra numbers if the file name is longer than 31 characters.

Mac OS 9 provides support for longer file names (if an application is written to use it), but the Finder doesn't display the longer name so it makes up a unique short name.

That makes sense. I knew about the 32 character limitation, but I didn't know what actually happened if a file name was too long. In Windows (I know, I know, don't flame me), the file name will be whatever length you call it, and Windows Explorer (aka My computer) will still be able to see the file name correctly. But usually, applications cannot open them.

Thank you, everyone, for your help is solving this 'mystery'. If anyone still has problems that aren't explained here, be sure to post!

Happy Halloween! (or happy harvest, for some of you)
:-)

Just a thanks to all for helping me with this problem. I have been able to verify this by editing the file name and tags in MP3 Rage. Rage is able to see all the characters correctly and allows convenient editing of both tags and file names on the same screen.

Much appreciation.