Re: How to manage disk drive letter when conflicting with network drive ?

Thank you Pegasus.

So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone has
an answer


> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to assign a
> drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your environment. About the big
> company/big cost issue: The cost of the USBDLM solution per PC is less for
> big companies than for small ones. If you still consider it excessive then
> you must change the drive letters of your shares.
>
> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an alternative
> solution then I recommend that you repost your query in a server and/or
> networking newsgroup. Remember to use cross-posting when posting in more than
> one group - see here: Multi-posting:
> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>
>
> "Eric" <> wrote in message
> news:. ..
>> Hi Pegasus,
>>
>> thank you for your answer.
>>
>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter but I
>> totally agree with you about the best practices but I know that we cannot
>> change the network drive path actually.
>>
>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the user that
>> will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>
>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a big
>> company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor english ;p)
>>
>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only solution and
>> that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a common problem ?
>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the method used
>> !
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it would be
>>> in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB mass storage devices
>>> became available some 8 (?) years ago, it has been common practice to use
>>> the high letters of the alphabet for network drives so that the low
>>> letters remain available for USB devices.
>>>
>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out of the
>>> way, here are three options:
>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter. Windows will
>>> remember the letter for this device.
>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to detect the
>>> arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive letter to it. Post again
>>> if you need more details on this technique.
>>> c) Have a look at this link: http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>> news:. ..
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>
>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the user
>>> logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those letters)
>>>
>>> I know this KB
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 , and I
>>> have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every situations.
>>>
>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the removable media
>>> the first time we introduce it.
>>>
>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office (so with
>>> no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be the E drive; and
>>> then if I go back to work and I plug again my USB key, the letter assigned
>>> will be the E: (even with the hotfix installed) but the E: drive will
>>> already be assigned to my network share.
>>>
>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>
>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk has quite
>>> a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>> -- Eric
>>
>>

--
Eric

This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your systems.


On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 +0100, Eric <> wrote:

>Thank you Pegasus.
>
>So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone has
>an answer
>
>
>> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to assign a
>> drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your environment. About the big
>> company/big cost issue: The cost of the USBDLM solution per PC is less for
>> big companies than for small ones. If you still consider it excessive then
>> you must change the drive letters of your shares.
>>
>> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an alternative
>> solution then I recommend that you repost your query in a server and/or
>> networking newsgroup. Remember to use cross-posting when posting in more than
>> one group - see here: Multi-posting:
>> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>>
>>
>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>> news:. ..
>>> Hi Pegasus,
>>>
>>> thank you for your answer.
>>>
>>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter but I
>>> totally agree with you about the best practices but I know that we cannot
>>> change the network drive path actually.
>>>
>>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the user that
>>> will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>>
>>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a big
>>> company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor english ;p)
>>>
>>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only solution and
>>> that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a common problem ?
>>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the method used
>>> !
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it would be
>>>> in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB mass storage devices
>>>> became available some 8 (?) years ago, it has been common practice to use
>>>> the high letters of the alphabet for network drives so that the low
>>>> letters remain available for USB devices.
>>>>
>>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out of the
>>>> way, here are three options:
>>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter. Windows will
>>>> remember the letter for this device.
>>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to detect the
>>>> arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive letter to it. Post again
>>>> if you need more details on this technique.
>>>> c) Have a look at this link: http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:. ..
>>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>>
>>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the user
>>>> logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those letters)
>>>>
>>>> I know this KB
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 , and I
>>>> have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every situations.
>>>>
>>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the removable media
>>>> the first time we introduce it.
>>>>
>>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office (so with
>>>> no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be the E drive; and
>>>> then if I go back to work and I plug again my USB key, the letter assigned
>>>> will be the E: (even with the hotfix installed) but the E: drive will
>>>> already be assigned to my network share.
>>>>
>>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>>
>>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk has quite
>>>> a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> -- Eric
>>>
>>>
--
Dave Mills
There are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

Most of them are using SP3.

Are you sure that the problem adressed in SP3 is the same as the
situation quoted here ?

Thank you !

> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your
> systems.
>
>
> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 +0100, Eric <> wrote:
>
>> Thank you Pegasus.
>>
>> So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone has
>> an answer
>>
>>
>>> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to assign a
>>> drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your environment. About the
>>> big company/big cost issue: The cost of the USBDLM solution per PC is less
>>> for big companies than for small ones. If you still consider it excessive
>>> then you must change the drive letters of your shares.
>>>
>>> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an
>>> alternative solution then I recommend that you repost your query in a
>>> server and/or networking newsgroup. Remember to use cross-posting when
>>> posting in more than one group - see here: Multi-posting:
>>> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>> news:. ..
>>>> Hi Pegasus,
>>>>
>>>> thank you for your answer.
>>>>
>>>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter but I
>>>> totally agree with you about the best practices but I know that we cannot
>>>> change the network drive path actually.
>>>>
>>>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the user that
>>>> will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>>>
>>>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a big
>>>> company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor english ;p)
>>>>
>>>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only solution and
>>>> that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a common problem ?
>>>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the method
>>>> used !
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it would be
>>>>> in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB mass storage devices
>>>>> became available some 8 (?) years ago, it has been common practice to use
>>>>> the high letters of the alphabet for network drives so that the low
>>>>> letters remain available for USB devices.
>>>>>
>>>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out of the
>>>>> way, here are three options:
>>>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter. Windows will
>>>>> remember the letter for this device.
>>>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to detect the
>>>>> arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive letter to it. Post again
>>>>> if you need more details on this technique.
>>>>> c) Have a look at this link: http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>
>>>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the user
>>>>> logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those letters)
>>>>>
>>>>> I know this KB
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 , and I
>>>>> have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every situations.
>>>>>
>>>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the removable media
>>>>> the first time we introduce it.
>>>>>
>>>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office (so with
>>>>> no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be the E drive; and
>>>>> then if I go back to work and I plug again my USB key, the letter
>>>>> assigned will be the E: (even with the hotfix installed) but the E:
>>>>> drive will already be assigned to my network share.
>>>>>
>>>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk has
>>>>> quite a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> -- Eric
>>>>
>>>>

--
Eric

"DaveMills" <> wrote in message
news:...
> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your
> systems.

Was it? Try the following experiment on your SP3 machine:
1. Plug in a USB flash disk.
2. Note its drive letter. Let's assume it is X:.
3. Remove the flash disk.
4. Click Start / Run
5. Type the three lettres cmd
6. Click OK
7. Type the following commands:
xcopy %comspec% c:\Test\ {Enter}
net share Test=c:\test{Enter}
net use X: \\%ComputerName%\Test{Enter}
(Replace X: with the letter noted in 2. above)
8. Plug in your flash disk.
9. Use Windows Explorer to examin drive X:. You *should* see your flash disk
but you actually see the file cmd.exe, which is located in the Test share.
This is the OP's problem.

When searching for the first available drive letter,
SP3 considers letters of present network drives
which SP2 did not.
But when a drive already hat a letter assigned then
there is no check against the network letters.

From http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html
What the SP3 did not fix is this scenario: Letters C: + D:
used for local drives, E: for an USB drive. Remove the USB
drive, create a network drive at E: and reattach the the
USB drive again. XP with SP3 will assign E: anyway, the
USB drive is 'hidden'. This is fixed in Vista.


Uwe




Eric wrote:
> Most of them are using SP3.
>
> Are you sure that the problem adressed in SP3 is the same as the
> situation quoted here ?
>
> Thank you !
>
>> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are
>> your systems.
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 +0100, Eric <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you Pegasus.
>>>
>>> So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone has
>>> an answer
>>>
>>>
>>>> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to
>>>> assign a drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your
>>>> environment. About the big company/big cost issue: The cost of the
>>>> USBDLM solution per PC is less for big companies than for small
>>>> ones. If you still consider it excessive then you must change the
>>>> drive letters of your shares.
>>>>
>>>> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an
>>>> alternative solution then I recommend that you repost your query in
>>>> a server and/or networking newsgroup. Remember to use cross-posting
>>>> when posting in more than one group - see here: Multi-posting:
>>>> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:. ..
>>>>> Hi Pegasus,
>>>>>
>>>>> thank you for your answer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter
>>>>> but I totally agree with you about the best practices but I know
>>>>> that we cannot change the network drive path actually.
>>>>>
>>>>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the
>>>>> user that will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>>>>
>>>>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a
>>>>> big company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor
>>>>> english ;p)
>>>>>
>>>>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only solution
>>>>> and that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a common
>>>>> problem ?
>>>>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the
>>>>> method used !
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it
>>>>>> would be in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB mass
>>>>>> storage devices became available some 8 (?) years ago, it has been
>>>>>> common practice to use the high letters of the alphabet for
>>>>>> network drives so that the low letters remain available for USB
>>>>>> devices.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out of
>>>>>> the way, here are three options:
>>>>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter.
>>>>>> Windows will remember the letter for this device.
>>>>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to
>>>>>> detect the arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive letter
>>>>>> to it. Post again if you need more details on this technique.
>>>>>> c) Have a look at this link: http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the
>>>>>> user logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those letters)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know this KB
>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 ,
>>>>>> and I have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every
>>>>>> situations.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the removable
>>>>>> media the first time we introduce it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office
>>>>>> (so with no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be the
>>>>>> E drive; and then if I go back to work and I plug again my USB
>>>>>> key, the letter assigned will be the E: (even with the hotfix
>>>>>> installed) but the E: drive will already be assigned to my
>>>>>> network share.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk
>>>>>> has quite a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Eric
>>>>>
>>>>>
>

"Uwe Sieber" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> When searching for the first available drive letter,
> SP3 considers letters of present network drives
> which SP2 did not.
> But when a drive already hat a letter assigned then
> there is no check against the network letters.
>
> From http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html
> What the SP3 did not fix is this scenario: Letters C: + D:
> used for local drives, E: for an USB drive. Remove the USB
> drive, create a network drive at E: and reattach the the
> USB drive again. XP with SP3 will assign E: anyway, the
> USB drive is 'hidden'. This is fixed in Vista.
>
>
> Uwe

Thanks for the clarification. I'm surprised that it took Microsoft such a
long time to fix this issue. On the other hand it created a nice niche
market for you!

Thank you for this info Uwe.

the SP3 seems to have the hotfix of the KB 297694 integrated.
And indeed, if a drive has already been inserted with a drive letter
used then by a network drive, it will be hidden.

So do you know if there is a solution for that ?(instead of using your
software =))

Do I have to delete some of the entries in the
HKLM\System\MountedDevices for example ?

Thank you

> When searching for the first available drive letter,
> SP3 considers letters of present network drives
> which SP2 did not.
> But when a drive already hat a letter assigned then
> there is no check against the network letters.
>
> From http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html
> What the SP3 did not fix is this scenario: Letters C: + D:
> used for local drives, E: for an USB drive. Remove the USB
> drive, create a network drive at E: and reattach the the
> USB drive again. XP with SP3 will assign E: anyway, the
> USB drive is 'hidden'. This is fixed in Vista.
>
>
> Uwe
>
>
>
>
> Eric wrote:
>> Most of them are using SP3.
>>
>> Are you sure that the problem adressed in SP3 is the same as the situation
>> quoted here ?
>>
>> Thank you !
>>
>>> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your
>>> systems.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 +0100, Eric <>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thank you Pegasus.
>>>>
>>>> So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone has an
>>>> answer
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to
>>>>> assign a drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your environment.
>>>>> About the big company/big cost issue: The cost of the USBDLM solution
>>>>> per PC is less for big companies than for small ones. If you still
>>>>> consider it excessive then you must change the drive letters of your
>>>>> shares.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an
>>>>> alternative solution then I recommend that you repost your query in a
>>>>> server and/or networking newsgroup. Remember to use cross-posting when
>>>>> posting in more than one group - see here: Multi-posting:
>>>>> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>>> Hi Pegasus,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thank you for your answer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter but I
>>>>>> totally agree with you about the best practices but I know that we
>>>>>> cannot change the network drive path actually.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the user
>>>>>> that will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a big
>>>>>> company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor english ;p)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only solution and
>>>>>> that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a common problem ?
>>>>>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the method
>>>>>> used !
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it would
>>>>>>> be in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB mass storage
>>>>>>> devices became available some 8 (?) years ago, it has been common
>>>>>>> practice to use the high letters of the alphabet for network drives so
>>>>>>> that the low letters remain available for USB devices.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out of the
>>>>>>> way, here are three options:
>>>>>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter. Windows
>>>>>>> will remember the letter for this device.
>>>>>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to detect
>>>>>>> the arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive letter to it. Post
>>>>>>> again if you need more details on this technique.
>>>>>>> c) Have a look at this link: http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the user
>>>>>>> logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those letters)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I know this KB
>>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 , and I
>>>>>>> have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every situations.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the removable
>>>>>>> media the first time we introduce it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office (so
>>>>>>> with no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be the E
>>>>>>> drive; and then if I go back to work and I plug again my USB key, the
>>>>>>> letter assigned will be the E: (even with the hotfix installed) but
>>>>>>> the E: drive will already be assigned to my network share.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk has
>>>>>>> quite a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -- Eric
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>

--
Eric

Yes, deleting values with network drive letters under
HKLM\System\MountedDevices would remove the assignment.
On next arrival of the drive XP would search the first
available letter.
If the drive arrives before the network shares are
created, then the problem is back.


Uwe




Eric wrote:
> Thank you for this info Uwe.
>
> the SP3 seems to have the hotfix of the KB 297694 integrated.
> And indeed, if a drive has already been inserted with a drive letter
> used then by a network drive, it will be hidden.
>
> So do you know if there is a solution for that ?(instead of using your
> software =))
>
> Do I have to delete some of the entries in the
> HKLM\System\MountedDevices for example ?
>
> Thank you
>
>> When searching for the first available drive letter,
>> SP3 considers letters of present network drives
>> which SP2 did not.
>> But when a drive already hat a letter assigned then
>> there is no check against the network letters.
>>
>> From http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtrouble_e.html
>> What the SP3 did not fix is this scenario: Letters C: + D:
>> used for local drives, E: for an USB drive. Remove the USB
>> drive, create a network drive at E: and reattach the the
>> USB drive again. XP with SP3 will assign E: anyway, the
>> USB drive is 'hidden'. This is fixed in Vista.
>>
>>
>> Uwe
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Eric wrote:
>>> Most of them are using SP3.
>>>
>>> Are you sure that the problem adressed in SP3 is the same as the
>>> situation quoted here ?
>>>
>>> Thank you !
>>>
>>>> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are
>>>> your systems.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 +0100, Eric <>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Thank you Pegasus.
>>>>>
>>>>> So I ask for this question in another newsgroup to see if someone
>>>>> has an answer
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Unfortunately the method based on WMI requires admin privileges to
>>>>>> assign a drive letter and is therefore unsuitable for your
>>>>>> environment. About the big company/big cost issue: The cost of
>>>>>> the USBDLM solution per PC is less for big companies than for
>>>>>> small ones. If you still consider it excessive then you must
>>>>>> change the drive letters of your shares.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you want to find out whether Microsoft (or anyone else) has an
>>>>>> alternative solution then I recommend that you repost your query
>>>>>> in a server and/or networking newsgroup. Remember to use
>>>>>> cross-posting when posting in more than one group - see here:
>>>>>> Multi-posting: http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>>>> Hi Pegasus,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> thank you for your answer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Actually in this company I cannot change the network drive letter
>>>>>>> but I totally agree with you about the best practices but I know
>>>>>>> that we cannot change the network drive path actually.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About the "A" option I cannot assign a high drive letter as the
>>>>>>> user that will have to do so will not be a local admin, so...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About the "C" option, I already know this tool but as it is in a
>>>>>>> big company, the solution has a "high cost" (sorry for my poor
>>>>>>> english ;p)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About the "B" option, do you confirm that this is the only
>>>>>>> solution and that Microsoft doesnt have any solution for quite a
>>>>>>> common problem ?
>>>>>>> If yes, i will be pleased to receive more information about the
>>>>>>> method used !
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I note you saying that you "cannot change drive letters" but it
>>>>>>>> would be in your best interest to find a way. Ever since USB
>>>>>>>> mass storage devices became available some 8 (?) years ago, it
>>>>>>>> has been common practice to use the high letters of the alphabet
>>>>>>>> for network drives so that the low letters remain available for
>>>>>>>> USB devices.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Until you have found a way to move your share drive letters out
>>>>>>>> of the way, here are three options:
>>>>>>>> a) Plug in your USB device, then assign a high drive letter.
>>>>>>>> Windows will remember the letter for this device.
>>>>>>>> b) Run a background VB Script based on WMI. Its purpose is to
>>>>>>>> detect the arrival of a USB device and assign a free drive
>>>>>>>> letter to it. Post again if you need more details on this
>>>>>>>> technique.
>>>>>>>> c) Have a look at this link:
>>>>>>>> http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Eric" <> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:. ..
>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> we have some users that are not local admin in Windows XP SP2.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> We have several network drives mappend on this computer when the
>>>>>>>> user logon (E drive to K). (I precise I cannot change those
>>>>>>>> letters)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I know this KB
>>>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;297694 ,
>>>>>>>> and I have installed the hotfix but it is not working in every
>>>>>>>> situations.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Indeed, Windows XP remembers the letter assigned to the
>>>>>>>> removable media the first time we introduce it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So, if the first time that I plug my USB key I am out of office
>>>>>>>> (so with no network drive mapped), the letter assigned will be
>>>>>>>> the E drive; and then if I go back to work and I plug again my
>>>>>>>> USB key, the letter assigned will be the E: (even with the
>>>>>>>> hotfix installed) but the E: drive will already be assigned to
>>>>>>>> my network share.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Am I misunderstanding something ?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Do you know if there is any solution for that ? (as the helpdesk
>>>>>>>> has quite a lot of calls just because of this).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- Eric
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>
>

On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:34:53 +0100, "Pegasus [MVP]" <> wrote:

>
>"DaveMills" <> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your
>> systems.
>
>Was it? Try the following experiment on your SP3 machine:

Well yes it was addressed but not fixed it seems. I have learned a bit more in
this thread. I can say that SP3 has greatly reduced the incidence of the issue
but now I know why the few that remain are happening.

The main issue I have had is where the USB drive letters get assigned before the
mapped drive gets set up. The Mapped drive cannot be changed (it would upset the
company standards). For this I use a WMI script to allocate a list of drive
letters that are allowed. The script moves the USB drives to the allowed list I
set.


>1. Plug in a USB flash disk.
>2. Note its drive letter. Let's assume it is X:.
>3. Remove the flash disk.
>4. Click Start / Run
>5. Type the three lettres cmd
>6. Click OK
>7. Type the following commands:
>xcopy %comspec% c:\Test\ {Enter}
>net share Test=c:\test{Enter}
>net use X: \\%ComputerName%\Test{Enter}
>(Replace X: with the letter noted in 2. above)
>8. Plug in your flash disk.
>9. Use Windows Explorer to examin drive X:. You *should* see your flash disk
>but you actually see the file cmd.exe, which is located in the Test share.
>This is the OP's problem.
>
--
Dave Mills
There are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

And again for those who dont have the SP3 installed SP2 + hotfix 297694
do the same.

I am interested about your WMI script if you agree to send it to me.
Is it running as a service with a specific admin account ?

Thanks !
> On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:34:53 +0100, "Pegasus [MVP]" <>
> wrote:
>
>>
>> "DaveMills" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> This USB Drive letter issue was addressed in SP3 what SP level are your
>>> systems.
>>
>> Was it? Try the following experiment on your SP3 machine:
>
> Well yes it was addressed but not fixed it seems. I have learned a bit more
> in this thread. I can say that SP3 has greatly reduced the incidence of the
> issue but now I know why the few that remain are happening.
>
> The main issue I have had is where the USB drive letters get assigned before
> the mapped drive gets set up. The Mapped drive cannot be changed (it would
> upset the company standards). For this I use a WMI script to allocate a list
> of drive letters that are allowed. The script moves the USB drives to the
> allowed list I set.
>
>
>> 1. Plug in a USB flash disk.
>> 2. Note its drive letter. Let's assume it is X:.
>> 3. Remove the flash disk.
>> 4. Click Start / Run
>> 5. Type the three lettres cmd
>> 6. Click OK
>> 7. Type the following commands:
>> xcopy %comspec% c:\Test\ {Enter}
>> net share Test=c:\test{Enter}
>> net use X: \\%ComputerName%\Test{Enter}
>> (Replace X: with the letter noted in 2. above)
>> 8. Plug in your flash disk.
>> 9. Use Windows Explorer to examin drive X:. You *should* see your flash disk
>> but you actually see the file cmd.exe, which is located in the Test share.
>> This is the OP's problem.

--
Eric