FileSystemWatcher ArgumentException

Question

I'm having trouble understanding how FileSystemWatcher is supposed to work. I'm trying to get my code to wait for a file to exist, and then call on another function. My code is as follows:

string path2 = @"N:\reuther\TimeCheck\cavmsbayss.log";

        FileSystemWatcher fw = new FileSystemWatcher(path2);
       fw.Created += fileSystemWatcher_Created;

Then I have a seperate function that should handle the file once its event is called:

        static void fileSystemWatcher_Created(object sender, FileSystemEventArgs e)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Ok im here now");
    }

But it

The directory name N:\reuther\TimeCheck\cavmsbayss.log is invalid.

What's the problem to check directory for specified file creation event? Filter it by name or other params from all events. — Dmitriy
– Dmitriy, Commented Mar 20, 2016 at 3:18

Grant Winney · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-20 04:01:05Z

3

According to the docs, the path parameter indicates:

The directory to monitor, in standard or Universal Naming Convention (UNC) notation.

Pass it the path to the directory, not the particular file:

string pathToMonitor = @"N:\reuther\TimeCheck";
FileSystemWatcher fw = new FileSystemWatcher(pathToMonitor);
fw.EnableRaisingEvents = true;  // the default is false, you may have to set this too
fw.Created += fileSystemWatcher_Created;

Then just watch out for the creation of that file, using either the Name or FullPath property in the FileSystemEventArgs class:

static void fileSystemWatcher_Created(object sender, FileSystemEventArgs e)
{
    if (e.Name == "cavmsbayss.log")
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Ok im here now");
    }
}

edited Mar 20, 2016 at 4:01

answered Mar 20, 2016 at 3:17

Grant Winney

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5 Comments

Marshal Alessi Over a year ago

I'm having an issue with that code... I tried to use it: string desktopPath = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop); string path2 = desktopPath + @"\" + @"RaidTimestamps\"; FileSystemWatcher fw = new FileSystemWatcher(path2); fw.Created += fileSystemWatcher_Created; static void fileSystemWatcher_Created(object sender, FileSystemEventArgs e) { MessageBox.Show(e.Name); if (e.Name == "orvmsnw1ss.log") { MessageBox.Show("Ok im here now"); } }

Marshal Alessi Over a year ago

With the above, nothing is showing at all. Meaning the code isn't executing even though I know the path is 100% correct.

Marshal Alessi Over a year ago

I did: MessageBox.Show(e.Name); And no, it didn't hit at all.

Marshal Alessi Over a year ago

Oh my sweet jesus, you Grant, are a life saver.

Dragon Over a year ago

@vivat pisces , my folder name location is c:\windows\system32\foldername , its giving exception:System.ArgumentException: The directory name 'C:\Windows\System32\foldername' does not exist . Its working fine from visual studio but gives exception from windows service.

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