mapping local disk folder to drive letter

[rick7423]

I have VB 6.0 and need to map a folder on the local disk to a drive letter: i.e. c:\myapp\mydata would need to be mapped to e:\mydata.

Mapping network shares is rather easy, but I cannot find out how to do this. Can anyone help? Examples would be really benificial.

[George1111]

Do you mean

Rightclick - Start
RightClick on My Computer
Click on Map Network drive

[Shuja Ali]

If you are talking about doing that in VB 6.0 then you can use the API functions

here is a sample code

Option Explicit

Declare Function WNetAddConnection Lib "mpr.dll" Alias _
"WNetAddConnectionA" (ByVal lpszNetPath As String, _
ByVal lpszPassword As String, ByVal lpszLocalName _
As String) As Long 

Declare Function WNetCancelConnection Lib "mpr.dll" _
Alias "WNetCancelConnectionA" (ByVal lpszName _
As String, ByVal bForce As Long) As Long 

Const WN_SUCCESS = 0 ' The function was successful.
Const WN_NET_ERROR = 2 ' An error occurred on the network.
Const WN_BAD_PASSWORD = 6 ' The password was invalid.

Function AddConnection(MyShareName As String, _
MyPWD As String, UseLetter As String) As Integer 

On Local Error GoTo AddConnection1_Err

AddConnection = WNetAddConnection(MyShareName, _
MyPWD, UseLetter)
AddConnection_End: 

Exit Function 

AddConnection_Err:
AddConnection = Err
MsgBox Error$ 

Resume AddConnection_End 

End Function 

Function CancelConnection(DriveLetter As String, _
Force As Integer) As Integer 

On Local Error GoTo CancelConnection_Err
CancelConnection = WNetCancelConnection(DriveLetter, _
Force)
CancelConnection_End: 

Exit Function 

CancelConnection_Err:
CancelConnection = Err
MsgBox Error$ 

Resume CancelConnection_End End Function

if you are trying to map the shared folder through Desktop, then check the solution given by George....

[sotoasty]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but.

subst e: c:\myapp

[rick7423]

I am trying to do this by using the code given by "VB_THE_BEST". If I wanted help with manually mapping a drive, I would have asked elewhere.

When i use the WNetAddConnection method given (which I have been trying to use for the past several days) I am getting the return code 67,

ERROR_BAD_NET_NAME, The network name cannot be found.

I am passing in the following data:

Function setDrive(sDrive As String, sShare As String) As Boolean
On Local Error GoTo setDrive_err
    Dim sPassword As String
    Dim res As Boolean
    Dim val As Integer
    res = False    

    sShare = "C:\data"
    sPassword = ""
    sDrive = "k:"

    val = WNetAddConnection(sShare, sPassword, sDrive)
    res = IIf(val = 0, True, False)
    
setDrive_end:
    
    setDrive = val
Exit Function

setDrive_err:

setDrive = Err
MsgBox Error$
Resume setDrive_end

End Function

I do not understand why I am getting the code 67?

I also need to ensure that local folders like "c:\documents and settings\<-username->\my documents\my app data" can be used (note spaces in name). Is this possible?

[rick7423]

SOLVED!!!

I had to use WNetAddConnection2, and I also need to use the local drive default share UNC path like the following:

c:\ has a default share of C$, if tyhe local machine name is programmer, then use '\\programmer\c$\documents and settings\myname\my documents' as the shared path. Works great on the local machine!!!

[Shuja Ali]

oh sorry...

i thought u meant to map a network drive...

well to Substitute a Drive Letter for a particular folder on the System, you will have to use a different API

here is code.. put this in a module

Private Declare Function DefineDosDevice Lib "kernel32" _
		Alias "DefineDosDeviceA" _
	 (ByVal dwFlags As Long, _
		ByVal lpDeviceName As String, _
		Optional ByVal lpTargetPath As String = vbNullString) As Long
Private Const DDD_REMOVE_DEFINITION As Long = &H2
Private Sub Main()
	'Add the subst:
	If DefineDosDevice(0&, "z:", "C:\Documents and Settings\myUserName") = 0 Then
		MsgBox "Failed: " & Err.LastDllError
	End If
	'Delete the subst:
	If DefineDosDevice(DDD_REMOVE_DEFINITION, "z:") = 0 Then
		MsgBox "Failed: " & Err.LastDllError
	End If
End Sub

you can substitute any folder on the hard-disk....

hope this one helps...

PS: I have used this on Windows NT/2000, but not on WinXP, so u will have to test it on XP..

Edit... In the mean time i have found an interesting link...
this is definetly going to help u..
http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb...49761&lngWId=1

[rick7423]

Thanks for yur help on this. Mapping to network drives is easy, I have been doing that for awhile now. Working with the local drives was a little more difficult but using the UNC path (\\comname\c$\<path>) really works well since the C$ is a valid network share path, albiet hidden.

I tried to google on DefineDosDevice but got really sketchy info, and I am not altogether sure it is supported with XP. It looks as though MS removed it's links on MSDN to it. I think I will stay away from it.

Once again, you helped push me in the right direction and you input is GREATLY appreciated!!!