Map Drives sometimes don't work

[Techdw]

Hi ,
Running 2008 R2 Domains, and currently XP Machines.

When uses log on some times the Map drive appear and work fine, then other time they will either not get any mapped drives or only some of them will come up.


Cheers

[elsiegee40]

How are you mapping the drives? Using GPO, script...

We put in a 2008R2 server this summer and ended up giving up in disgust with GPO and have a script in place for drive mapping now - I admit we didn't try very hard, probably less than an hour, but the script was up and working in under 5 minutes!

[Techdw]

We have GPO in place and there is a VBS Script that runs with the map drives setting.
I have set the Script under User Configuration - Policies- Windows Settings - Scripts (Logon Log Off) - Logon

[actech]

I've used Group Policy Preferences for mapping drives and they work really well. Just need to make sure that Client side extensions are installed on the XP machines.

[Edwardjr]

I'm having the same problems in my school, pretty much the same problem as techdw.

atech - excuse my ignorance but what exactly do you mean by having client side extensions installed?

Many thanks

[Midget]

Try using a batch file instead of a vbs to see if you get the same problems.

[Edwardjr]

Thanks, I will give this a go.

[steve]

atech - excuse my ignorance but what exactly do you mean by having client side extensions installed?

Many thanks

Have a look here: Information about new Group Policy preferences in Windows Server 2008

It's one of the best things about Server 2008R2

[Edwardjr]

Ok, I've just tried the CSE on a few machines around the school, doesn't seems to be working. This seems very intermittent as using various user accounts and computers some will load mapped drives perfectly yet some will just load the home directory.

We are using XP SP3 Clients on a newly installed 2008R2 domain controller with now client side extension installed on the XP clients. logon scripts are located in the GPO for staff (although I have tried using this script in the AD accounts, plus using .bat files) and seem to be running out of ideas for now.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

[DMcCoy]

Do you have "Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon" option enabled in the policy?

[Edwardjr]

Originaly it wan't configured. I've just enabled it, will let you know if it works!

[Edwardjr]

Cool, this works now!

"Applying your personal settings" section of the logon seems to be a bit slow now.

[steve]

One thing others may find useful is memory card readers sometimes take the drive letter first.

Using USBDLM will prevent this: USB drive letter manager - USBDLM

[elsiegee40]

One thing others may find useful is memory card readers sometimes take the drive letter first.

Using USBDLM will prevent this: USB drive letter manager - USBDLM

Absolutely - USBDLM is an early install on all our machines... but somehow I think this problem went beyond that