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Network drives disappearance

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by frank

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Hi. I need some help in figuring out a constant problem in WinXp-Pro computers connected to a small win2003 networked server. In 'my network' folder usually shows the different drives/partitions from the server (usually drive names such \work, \general, etc). Occasionally these drives don't appear in the network list of connected drives at boot-up, while on other similar computers do. I looked at time outs and symantec network lists but with similar results. Someone told me that the issue could be in the Windows setup on the xp machines. Do someone know how to look for these settings and/or suggest me what could be the best way to solve this issue. Usually this happens when a drive is not accessed often or for a long time. Much appreciated. Thanks.

5 replies

by wizard-09

On the machine in question write a bat file as below.

net use q: \\server\share\path

you can use this command as much as you like to map network drives bat file example below

@echo off

net use x: \\server\share\path /y

hope this helps.

by larryd4

We have had similar issues in this shop and it came down to our networking.

I have a few questions.

The PC's that have this issue, are they on the same physical network as the server? In other words are the PC's connected to the same switch as the server?

Are these PC's wireless?

If not on the same physical network, do the PC's have to communicate via a router to get to a domain controller.

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Reason for questions.
We prioritize our packets on our network and the highest priority packet item used to be our mainframe session packets. We found that PC's in a remote office or in a building without a domain controller were having the same issues. What we found was that in these locations with out a Domain Controller, we were having votes to see who would become the network "Master Browser".

These votes occur when a group of PCs can't find a DC or a current "Master Browser" and they all vote and argue on who is to act in that role.

So what we discovered is we had to heighten the priority of our Master Browser packets so the PC would find the DC for the network.

Or you could make sure that the PC's automatically come on an hour before employee's arrive. That way the clients eventually find the Domain Contoller.

by frank

Thanks for your suggestion Larry and McNally. Yes the pc's
are all on the same network and go thru the same switch.
The issue has only come up with the latest machine that have
WinXp-Pro installed. I believe that it has to do with some
time-out settings on the units, not necessarily on the server.

by rob miners

Is there a pattern to it happening or is it random. Is it effecting a certain type of PC.

Make sure that all complementing network resources (network adapter, hub, and switch) are set to the same speed and duplex level. If the media type is set to autosense, autosensing, or autodetect, or "Auto Select," make sure that all components are autosensing correctly.

You can also test with 100/full as some network adapters in certain PC Models work better at this setting.

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance.

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