Automatic network reconnect problem

[Scott Meyers]

I have a laptop and a desktop on a home network, both running XP. The laptop
automatically connects to the desktop at logon for access to the desktop's files
and printer. Or rather, it used to, when the laptop account had no password. I
recently added a password to that account, and now I have to manually connect to
the desktop after each reboot. No password is required, because the desktop
accounts use no passwords. I want to keep the laptop account password, but I
want to get back to a situation where the laptop automatically reconnects to the
desktop without manual intervention.

Can somebody tell me how to do this or at least point me to a place where I can
find out how network connections, accounts, and passwords interact?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Pegasus]

I have a laptop and a desktop on a home network, both running XP. The
laptop automatically connects to the desktop at logon for access to the
desktop's files and printer. Or rather, it used to, when the laptop
account had no password. I recently added a password to that account, and
now I have to manually connect to the desktop after each reboot. No
password is required, because the desktop accounts use no passwords. I
want to keep the laptop account password, but I want to get back to a
situation where the laptop automatically reconnects to the desktop without
manual intervention.

Can somebody tell me how to do this or at least point me to a place where
I can find out how network connections, accounts, and passwords interact?

Thanks,

Scott

Make sure that the desktop has an account that is exactly the
same as your laptop logon account, including the password.
Your laptop will then no longer be treated as a stranger that
must be challenged for a password.

 

[Scott Meyers]

Make sure that the desktop has an account that is exactly the
same as your laptop logon account, including the password.

This works, thanks, but I'd like to arrange things so that when I change the
password on the laptop, I don't have to also change it on the desktop. Is there
some way to say, for example, that even though I log on to the laptop as user
XYZ (which has a password), automatically reconnect to the desktop using account
(ABC) which does not exist on the laptop but which exists with no password on
the desktop?

My fundamental goal here is to be able to pick up the laptop and run, then be
able to drop it back on the docking station at home and have it reconnect to the
desktop without my having to do anything to make that happen. I want the laptop
to use a password, because it might get lost or stolen, but inside my house, I
don't want to have to mess with passwords.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Pegasus]

This works, thanks, but I'd like to arrange things so that when I change
the password on the laptop, I don't have to also change it on the desktop.
Is there some way to say, for example, that even though I log on to the
laptop as user XYZ (which has a password), automatically reconnect to the
desktop using account (ABC) which does not exist on the laptop but which
exists with no password on the desktop?

My fundamental goal here is to be able to pick up the laptop and run, then
be able to drop it back on the docking station at home and have it
reconnect to the desktop without my having to do anything to make that
happen. I want the laptop to use a password, because it might get lost or
stolen, but inside my house, I don't want to have to mess with passwords.

Thanks,

Scott

You have two options:
- Move into a Windows Domain environment where your
passwords are centrally administered by a domain controller.
- Use logon script with embedded passwords such as
net use Q: \\DesktopPC\MyShare /Useresktop SomePassword
This method represents an obvious security breach.

 

[Scott Meyers]

- Use logon script with embedded passwords such as
net use Q: \\DesktopPC\MyShare /Useresktop SomePassword

Where would I put such a script such that it would execute automatically upon logon?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Pegasus]

Where would I put such a script such that it would execute automatically
upon logon?

Thanks,

Scott

Here is the full script:
@echo off
net use /persistent:no
net use Q: \\DesktopPC\MyShare /Useresktop SomePassword
ping localhost -n 5 > nul

Save these lines in this file:
c:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs\startup\netlogon.bat

It's best to try the second "net use" command at a Command Prompt
until you're satisfied that it works.