Links to Network Drives Lost

from Stardock Forums

>>> I have posted this subject before but none of the recommendations have worked. I have established that this is not random and affects network drive paths. I have just updated to the latest verasion of fences v.3.0.8.1. <<<

I have many links to network drives and folders/files associated with drive letters on the local drive on my desktop. If a drive is not available at startup (i.e. network computer down or drive letter not available), the related shortcuts disappear from fences. Even when I restore snapshots (where these links are clearly visible) they will not be restored! The local drives always mount with the same letter.

I am running Windows 7 64bit  v.6.1. Service Pack 1

>>> I have just found tht on my new Win 10 system the network icons do NOT disappear!  <<<

 

Any help is greatly appreciated - I do love all other properties of Fences!

 

fences
12,803 views 12 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you basj -

your recommendation worked but when I click on the icon in the folder frame, the results are also listed in that frame! This is quite unwieldy when opening a large folder. Interesting though it works in WIN 10.

Sorry, I have been editing my post to add new findings (I am not concentrating today...)

DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting berniemalzal, reply 2

Thank you basj -

your recommendation worked but when I click on the icon in the folder frame, the results are also listed in that frame! This is quite unwieldy when opening a large folder. Interesting though it works in WIN 10.

Sorry, I have been editing my post to add new findings (I am not concentrating today...)
End of berniemalzal's quote

You can always right click and open new windows on it...

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

... or <CTRL> double-click!

Another option is just to create a desktop icon that opens the folder with the network links.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Sadly, it is now August 2018 and nobody has bothered to fix this nuiscance! I am sick and tired to rebuild several dozen icon referring to files and folders on network drives. It is a shame because everything else I like about fences.

I wonder if any Stardock staff are reading this? I always thought feedback is welcome because ihelps to improve software.

 

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting quarkburner, reply 5

Sadly, it is now August 2018 and nobody has bothered to fix this nuiscance! I am sick and tired to rebuild several dozen icon referring to files and folders on network drives. It is a shame because everything else I like about fences.

I wonder if any Stardock staff are reading this? I always thought feedback is welcome because ihelps to improve software.

 
End of quarkburner's quote

Sadly, I do not realize that you still having the problem.

I have forwarded your problem to Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

 

Basj

Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

Quoting quarkburner, reply 5

Sadly, it is now August 2018 and nobody has bothered to fix this nuiscance!
End of quarkburner's quote

Its not that Fences is broken - if the network drive is not available, there is nothing for Fences to show.  

That said, a 'feature' to perhaps manually repoll a portal Fences could be fashioned - it is being considered.

Also, there is a work-around for how it works now (and was mentioned in a prior reply - on you stated was working for you):

https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#folderportalsempty

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 7

Its not that Fences is broken - if the network drive is not available, there is nothing for Fences to show.
End of sdRohan's quote

Of course there is nothing to show if a target becomes unavailable - but that's not the problem! I'll try again: in Windows Desktop, I can only create a shortcut to a valid target. Once created, it will remain on the Desktop until it is manually deleted. If the target becomes unavailable and the shortcut is executed, we get the error message "The drive or network connection that the shortcut "...." refers to is unavailable...." The shortcut however is NEVER automatically deleted by Windows. If the target becomes available again, the shortcut will display the referenced target again.

In Fences, if the target for a shortcut becomes unavailable, USUALLY the shortcut stays in place as it should, for several days/weeks and a number of reboots. However, RANDOMLY and without obvious reason, ALL shortcuts referring to a particular network drive disappea! They cannot be restored from a layout snapshot even though they are clearly visible in the snapshot thumbnail.

I don't know how I could explain this problem any more simply. If this is not a Fences problem, my name shall be Bugs Bunny :w00t:  

BTW I am running WIN 7 64bit.

Roll up your sleeves, put on your thinking caps and start fixing it PLEASE!!!

 

 

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

quarkburner

You seem to be under the impression that I did not understand the / your issue - I do - I get it, quarkburner. 

One thing I want to know, however, is if the network location is a mapped one or are you using an address.  For example, is the network location given a drive letter on the PC or no, you are pointing the portal to \\someNetworkLocation

If it is the latter, I would like you to try mapping the network location instead of the explicit network address then pointing a network portal to it.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you for understanding - it is a drive letter (S:) pointing to a location on my own PC. I am using Steganos Safe which provides access to an encrypted file (containing a few Gb of data) via a drive letter. If the Safe is open, the drive letter exists, if it is closed, the drive letter disappears.

Windows Desktop without Fences did never "loose" the referring shortcuts.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting quarkburner, reply 10

Steganos Safe
End of quarkburner's quote

Is is possible to run a parallel test to a network drive that is not under that apps purview?  As you might surmise, I want to eliminate any potential 3rd party influences. 

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

I have actually already done that - network links to folders on my other PC (Win 10) have also occasionally disappeared. In this case I am using the work-around of creating a folder portal with the shortcuts in the referenced folder. To do this for every file and folder is cumbersome and would defiy the idea of using Fences.