KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q98706: Login Scripts to Change a User to Home Directory

Article: Q98706
Product(s): Microsoft LAN Manager
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 30-JUL-2001

SUMMARY
=======

Because the NET USE /HOME command places you at the root of your share, rather
than the home directory in your share, you must manually change to your home
directory. The procedure outlined below passes a variable (your logon name) to
allow automatic changing to your home directory. It assumes that your home
directory and login name are the same, and that your home directory is directly
off of the root of your server share.

MORE INFORMATION
================

On the Server
-------------

Because a LAN Manager login script cannot contain replaceable parameters, set up
your login script like the file below:

  NETLOGON.BAT
  ------------
  echo net use s: \\servername\public >c:\local.bat
  echo net use v: \\servername\apps >>c:\local.bat
  echo net use r: /home >>c:\local.bat

Notice that the NET USE commands are redirected into a file on your local hard
drive and called LOCAL.BAT. Also notice the first NET USE has only one redirect
symbol(>). This is necessary to recreate the LOCAL.BAT file; all succeeding
commands are appended to the end of the file by using the double redirect
(>>).

On Each Workstation
-------------------

Create a batch file similar to the batch file below:

  LOGON.BAT
  ---------
  net logon %1
  call c:\local.bat
  cd r:\%1
  r:

Execute the LOGON.BAT file with a parameter of your username--"logon
username"--where username becomes the %1 variable.

The flow of the batch file is:

1. Assume a username of maryjo

2. Assume a directory named maryjo exists off of the root of your share on the
  server.

3. User maryjo enters the command "logon maryjo" (without the quotation marks).

4. The LOGON.BAT file runs with "maryjo" as the %1 variable.

5. You are logged on as maryjo, and the script file then executes.

6. The login script redirects all commands to the C:\LOCAL.BAT file.

7. The login script ends, and the LOCAL.BAT file is called.

8. All commands redirected to LOCAL.BAT by means of the login script are
  executed in the LOCAL.BAT file.

9. The LOCAL.BAT file ends, and the LOGON.BAT continues to execute.

10. The command "cd r:\%1" is executed, which causes the directory to be changed
  to R:\MARYJO.

11. The command "r:" is executed, and you then are in directory R:\MARYJO>.

This procedure allows you to log in from any workstation on the network, run your
login script and automatically be changed to your home directory. Because the
login script is redirected to a local file, and the file is updated at every
login, the administrator can easily make changes to the login scripts on the
server and be assured the changes are run at your next login.

Additional query words: 2.20 2.2

======================================================================
Keywords          :  

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.