TechNote (Archived)

Error message using Put or Check-in files: Cannot create directory...it already exists

Issue

It is not possible to transfer files that reside more than two directories deep from the Root folder. When attempting to do so, the following error message appears: "Cannot create directory example/subexample/subsubexample because it already exists."

Reason

The Web host is using WU-FTPD v2.6. Many users may have been using Dreamweaver without these errors, but may start getting these errors due to an incompatibility when Web hosts and ISPs upgrade to WU-FTPD v2.6. There may be other FTP server software packages that yield the same or similar error messages.

Solution

Open the Site FTP log and read the login information. In Windows, this is done by choosing FTP log from the Site menu in the site files window. On Macintosh, choose FTP log from the Site menu to access the login information. On many servers, including WU-FTPD, this log will identify which FTP server software is being used by the Web host or ISP. If it is WU-FTPD v2.6, Dreamweaver 1 and 2 cannot be used to transfer files more than two directories deep.

Workarounds:

Use a directory structure that doesn't have files more than two directories deep.

For example, use:
ROOT: Images/Subimages/phoo.gif

In place of this structure:
ROOT: Images/Subimages/Subsubimages/phoo.gif
Use an external program to transfer files which are more than two directories deep.

Note: Upgrading to Dreamweaver 3.0 will alleviate this problem.