Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Network drive not available at startup

22 views
Skip to first unread message

Gary Burton

unread,
Nov 29, 2002, 4:41:43 PM11/29/02
to
    I have 3 computers in a home network (Win XP, Win98, and Win ME).  I have a Z: drive assigned to a folder on the XP machine which serves as the backup drive for all 3 computers.  I set up the mapped drive to be recognized during boot on all 3 machines.
 
    Everthing works fine for the XP machine and the ME machine, but the Win98 machine gives me a problem because it won't recognize the Z: drive during startup.  After startup I can get it to recognize the drive and use my backup program, but that's not a good solution and I'm hoping someone can give me a better one.
 
Details:
 
    When the Win98 machine boots up it gives me a message saying "Connecting Z: to \\(computer name)\(folder name)". 
 
     After a couple of seconds, I get another message saying that an error occured while reconnection to \\(computer name)\(folder name)\, and says "Permanent connection not available" although the Win Me machine is using it on the same network at the time.  Then the dialog box ask me if I want to restore the connection next time I log on.  If I answer "No", there seems to be no way that I can connect to the mapped drive until I map it again.  If I answer "Yes", I can see the network drive in Explorer after the system boots in spite of what the computer just told me.  It isn't available to my backup program, however, until I double-click on the drive icon and restart my computer.
 

Robert L

unread,
Nov 29, 2002, 5:09:37 PM11/29/02
to
Gary,
 
Z: drive is reserved as search drive for netlogon in win9x. For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech. check MS OS>W9x
 
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

Gary Burton

unread,
Nov 30, 2002, 1:59:42 PM11/30/02
to
    I tied your suggestion, but when I mapped they drive as Y:, I got the same problem.
 
    Thanks for your input.  If you have any other ideas, I would love to hear them.

Robert L

unread,
Nov 30, 2002, 4:55:54 PM11/30/02
to
Gary,
 
Thank you for your feedback. I have not tested Y but can you try some low letters say H?

--
For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 1, 2002, 1:18:37 AM12/1/02
to
    I tried "H:" and got the same result. 
 
    Something else must be going on, and it's over my head.  Please let me know if you have any other ideas.  By the way, I have Win98 FIRST edition.  I have all the updates, but the fact that it is first edition may have something to do with it.

Robert L

unread,
Dec 1, 2002, 10:49:29 AM12/1/02
to
I am out of the ideas. let me know if you get a solution.

--
For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
 
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 1, 2002, 2:35:19 PM12/1/02
to
    Will do!  Thanks for your effort.

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 1, 2002, 2:35:19 PM12/1/02
to

Robert L

unread,
Dec 1, 2002, 10:02:31 PM12/1/02
to
In reviewing your post, I have another idea. How about using net use /delete to delete the z drive before mapping?

--
For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
 
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 2, 2002, 8:06:37 AM12/2/02
to
    I am not familiar with the "net use" command.  Since you suggested it, I tried running "net use" from the DOS prompt on both my XP and my 98 machines.  I get a readout on my XP machine, so the command apparently exits although I still don't know what it does.  Bad news is that it does not seem to exist on my 98 machine because I get a "file not found" there, and unfortunately that is where I would have to use the command.
 
    If it isn't too long an explanation, what is "net use" used for?
"Robert L" <bobl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:OSa6D9amCHA.412@tkmsftngp04...

Robert L

unread,
Dec 2, 2002, 5:47:32 PM12/2/02
to
what I would like to try is creating a batch file to map the drive whenever you logon. you should have some files called net.* under windows folder. If you don't, copy them into the folder.

--
For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
 
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 2, 2002, 11:49:12 PM12/2/02
to
    I'm glad you are taking an interest in this.  I really appreciate the help!
 
    I have 8 files that begin with "Net".  They are:
NET.EXE, NET.MSG, NETDDE.EXE, NETDET.INI, NETH.MSG, NETSTAT.EXE, NETWORK.TXT, NETWORKS.
 
    I hope these are the right files.  I looked at the website reference, but couldn't see a way to find out what files should be there or wherefrom to copy them if they are not there.
 
    The batch file sounds like a great idea.

Robert L

unread,
Dec 3, 2002, 12:30:54 AM12/3/02
to
create a batch file and add line like this "net use h: \\computername\sharefolder". Add this batch file in startup.

--
For more information, go to  http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
 
Robert Lin, CNE & MCSE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

Gary Burton

unread,
Dec 4, 2002, 2:32:38 AM12/4/02
to
    I just tried it and got the same messages during startup, which is to be expected because it tests for the mapped drive before the startup files load.  Then after I answer "Yes" saying that I want it to try again next time the batch file runs and I get: "The specified shared directory cannot be found....."
 
    Once again, thanks for your valiant effort.  I think it's a bug in my early version of Win98.  I can live with it.
0 new messages