Windows XP Pro error: Element Not Found using mapped drive

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

sourceAK

2007-02-22 03:52:06 UTC

We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We have a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few months so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...

I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer, selecting to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
(***@domainname.whatever) and it maps over and we can access the drive.

Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.

I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.

Any ideas?

Richard G. Harper

2007-02-22 10:08:49 UTC

Permalink

From what I can find, it looks like you've diagnosed the symptoms
correctly - "Element not Found" does get returned when there is a credential
mismatch (usually password changed or incorrect) on the share, but I am
sorry to say that I am not sure why the problem is happening for you.

Have you considered putting the drive mappings in a CMD file and running
them as part of the All Users\Startup program group to detach and re-attach
the shares when a new user logs on? That should get you a a fresh
connection (and you can specify a known-good UserID and password at the same
time) with each login.
--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] ***@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Post by sourceAK
We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We have a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few months so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...
I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer, selecting to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.
I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.
Any ideas?

sourceAK

2007-02-23 08:40:03 UTC

Permalink

No, I didn't think about that for some reason. Tunnel vision I guess. It
should work so make it work... I'll spend some time to find some
instructions on how to set up the cmd files correctly. If you have a set of
instructions that will help.

Thanks!

Post by Richard G. Harper
From what I can find, it looks like you've diagnosed the symptoms
correctly - "Element not Found" does get returned when there is a credential
mismatch (usually password changed or incorrect) on the share, but I am
sorry to say that I am not sure why the problem is happening for you.
Have you considered putting the drive mappings in a CMD file and running
them as part of the All Users\Startup program group to detach and re-attach
the shares when a new user logs on? That should get you a a fresh
connection (and you can specify a known-good UserID and password at the same
time) with each login.
--
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Richard G. Harper

2007-02-23 10:45:06 UTC

Permalink

IT's pretty easy, actually. Create a CMD or BAT file like this:

net use M: /d
net use M: \\servername\sharename

(of course, change the M: and \\servername\sharename parts to your needs)

The first command disconnects any prior connection to the drive, the second
gets you a nice fresh connection. If you want to specify a username and
password to connect with, add them to the second line like this:

net use M: \\servername\sharename mypassword /USER:myusername

Put the BAT or CMD file into the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup folder and it will run when any user logs on.
--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] ***@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Post by sourceAK
No, I didn't think about that for some reason. Tunnel vision I guess. It
should work so make it work... I'll spend some time to find some
instructions on how to set up the cmd files correctly. If you have a set of
instructions that will help.
Thanks!

Post by sourceAK
We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We
have
a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few
months
so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...
I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer,
selecting
to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.
I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.
Any ideas?

AJR

2007-02-23 21:17:37 UTC

Permalink

Have no answer, however the following from your post is interesting "we do
not add the workstations to the domain".

Post by sourceAK
We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We
have
a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few
months
so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...
I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer,
selecting
to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.
I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.
Any ideas?

sourceAK

2007-02-28 10:40:09 UTC

Permalink

I just meant that we do not set the network up to run through the domain on
the server. We just connect to the server through mapped drives and log in
according to the usernames (which are set up on the server).
I'm fairly certain I'm explaining that right...

The other answers to this blog have helped. The users will be testing them
out all week so we'll see how it goes.

Jarod

Post by AJR
Have no answer, however the following from your post is interesting "we do
not add the workstations to the domain".

Post by sourceAK
We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We
have
a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few
months
so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...
I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer,
selecting
to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.
I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.
Any ideas?

sourceAK

2007-02-28 10:40:46 UTC

Permalink

Post by AJR
Have no answer, however the following from your post is interesting "we do
not add the workstations to the domain".

Post by sourceAK
We are running Windows XP Pro with all of the patches installed. We
have
a
network setup through a workgroup and we map drives to a Windows Server 2003
x64 server with a domain. We only have to run like this for a few
months
so
we do not add the workstations to the domain...
I map the network drive easily enough by going to my computer,
selecting
to
map a drive, typing out the folder on the server, selecting to log in as a
different user, typing in the username including the domain
Sometimes, though, after closing the folder it brings up the "Element Not
Found" error when the new drive is double clicked on. It appears about 50%
of the time on a log-out and the error almost always appears after a restart
of the computer.
I typed the 2 paragraphs above out because I've been asked that in other
forums I've posted to.
I get the feeling that the password or user name isn't being remembered
because after the error I can map it again immediately.
Any ideas?