Login Scripts to Change a User to Home Directory (98706)




This article was previously published under Q98706

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.
  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.
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 7/30/2001
Keywords: KB98706
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