Mapped drives disappearing.

[edutech4schools]

Not sure if this is a 2008r2 issue or XP.

 

I have group policies that map our drives. (home, staff, office). On some laptops (xp) these have stopped getting mapped. It looks like more are having this issue as the hours go on.

 

I have gpresult on the laptops and they do list the correct policies.

 

Any advice as I am starting to scratch my head.

[Michael]

Have you checked the event logs on the XP machines? This may give you a clue.

[ruddj]

We have had occasional problems with the policy xml file getting corrupt on local computer (or appears as 0kb file).

The trick to fix was to delete the group policy history directory (hidden directory) and then run gpupdate /force

XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Microsoft\Group Policy\History

Win 7:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Group Policy\History

[edutech4schools]

I am not at the school today so can not test, but just had a call to say if they log on to the laptop wait a few mins, then reboot, most seem to come back up with the drives, but not all.

[Michael]

Do you have more than one domain controller in your setup?

 

It sounds like a potential replication issue, as a reboot will force the laptop to check in to server A or server B. If server B for example is creating the problem, this is probably why the problem isn't always there. Some laptops checking into server A and others server B.

[edutech4schools]

Do you have more than one domain controller in your setup?

 

Until last week we had 2. I demoted and removed our old server. The new server had been the only server servicing clients for about 3 months. All settings like DNS only pointed at the new server.

[Michael]

If you logon locally to a problematic laptop, run ipconfig /all does DNS look correct?

 

You could also try releasing the IP and re-newing it and flushing DNS also. How long are your DHCP leases for? The norm is typically around 7 days.

 

It might be worth checking that once a laptop is working again, does it stay that way or does the problem re-appear?

 

Another thing to check are your DNS settings on your access points. If they're DHCP enabled, try giving them all a reboot. If they're static enabled, check the DNS configuration.

[edutech4schools]

Another thing to check are your DNS settings on your access points. If they're DHCP enabled, try giving them all a reboot. If they're static enabled, check the DNS configuration.

 

Yep, all my AP's are pointing at the old dns server. Will check laptops later.

[Michael]

If you have a look at DNS on your DC, on both your Forward and Reverse Zones, have a look at the Name servers tab. It should just have your one server. If the other server you demoted is still there, then remove it.

[edutech4schools]

If you have a look at DNS on your DC, on both your Forward and Reverse Zones, have a look at the Name servers tab. It should just have your one server. If the other server you demoted is still there, then remove it.

 

When I hit delete it asks, Do you want to delete the glue record oldserver.domain

 

I presum its ok to delete but wanted to check first.

[Michael]

Yes it's safe to delete as the server no longer exists.

 

Edit: Or you have simply demoted it as a DC to a member server, so it should no longer be running DNS. By all means, if the server still exists, check the roles it has running.

Edited December 1, 2011 by Michael