Windows XP XP/SP3 Mapped drives need live networking

[BS6600]

On my standalone PC I have mapped several drive letter to folders. (It's easier to remember P: than C:\program files\....etc\etc\etc).

This works well but only when my laptop has a network connection. If I move out of range the mapped drives are no longer available.

This might have started happening a few months ago and I suspect it's related to a Windows update. My old PC had a slip-in Netgear card and if that was in the mapped drives were fine. My new laptop has on board wireless and doesn't work unless it has a connectionl.

Is there anything I can do?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

[BS6600]

I solved this by:
Disconnect all the drives made by 'Map Network drive'
create a .bat file with corresponding subst command.
put a shortcut to thebat file in startup folder.

I can hear the purists screaming already but it works and I bet it goes on working. Ooops - famous last words.

Bill