Discussion:
How do network a hidden drive?
(too old to reply)
T
2018-05-13 20:06:45 UTC
Permalink
Hi All,

W7-Pro x 64 & W10-Pro-1803

How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?


Many thanks,
-T
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.
-- Charles Varlet de La Grange
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GlowingBlueMist
2018-05-13 20:27:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't. If Windows can not find a drive letter for
it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist. Windows
will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
T
2018-05-13 20:38:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't.  If Windows can not find a drive letter for
it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist.  Windows
will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
I ask because I jsut got this from Second Copy Tech Support:

Second Copy may not be able to copy files to a drive
letter that is hidden that does not have a assigned
drive letter. Alternatively, you can create a share
name on the hidden drive and as long as that share
is visible and accessible, Second Copy can copy files
using UNC pathname instead of the drive letter.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Paul
2018-05-14 00:40:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by GlowingBlueMist
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64 & W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't. If Windows can not find a drive letter
for it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist.
Windows will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
Second Copy may not be able to copy files to a drive
letter that is hidden that does not have a assigned
drive letter. Alternatively, you can create a share
name on the hidden drive and as long as that share
is visible and accessible, Second Copy can copy files
using UNC pathname instead of the drive letter.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.

"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Paul
T
2018-05-14 01:14:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't.  If Windows can not find a drive letter
for it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist.
Windows will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
      Second Copy may not be able to copy files to a drive
      letter that is hidden that does not have a assigned
      drive letter.  Alternatively, you can create a share
      name on the hidden drive and as long as that share
      is visible and accessible, Second Copy can copy files
      using UNC pathname instead of the drive letter.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
   Paul
Hi Paul,

Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference! Thank you!

I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.

-T
Diesel
2018-05-14 01:28:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by Paul
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't.  If Windows can not find a drive
let
ter
Post by Paul
for it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not
exist. Windows will not try to share things it has no knowledge
of.
      Second Copy may not be able to copy fil
es to a drive
Post by Paul
      letter that is hidden that does not hav
e a assigned
Post by Paul
      drive letter.  Alternatively, you
can create a share
Post by Paul
      name on the hidden drive and as long as
that share
Post by Paul
      is visible and accessible, Second Copy
can copy files
Post by Paul
      using UNC pathname instead of the drive
letter.
Post by Paul
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%
28v=
vs.85%29.aspx
Post by Paul
   Paul
Hi Paul,
Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference! Thank you!
I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.
-T
Are you trying to do this to prevent unauthorized access to the
contents of the partition?
--
To prevent yourself from being a victim of cyber
stalking, it's highly recommended you visit here:
https://tekrider.net/pages/david-brooks-stalker.php
===================================================
A fool and his money are my two favourite people.
Paul
2018-05-14 01:31:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by Paul
Post by T
Post by GlowingBlueMist
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64 & W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't. If Windows can not find a drive letter
for it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist.
Windows will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
Second Copy may not be able to copy files to a drive
letter that is hidden that does not have a assigned
drive letter. Alternatively, you can create a share
name on the hidden drive and as long as that share
is visible and accessible, Second Copy can copy files
using UNC pathname instead of the drive letter.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
Paul
Hi Paul,
Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference! Thank you!
I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.
-T
What do you see on your setup, when using the "net use" command ?

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16196/how-to-disconnect-non-mapped-unc-path-drives-in-windows/

Paul
T
2018-05-14 02:55:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul
Post by T
Post by Paul
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
Many thanks,
-T
As far as I know you don't.  If Windows can not find a drive letter
for it then as far as it Windows is concerned it does not exist.
Windows will not try to share things it has no knowledge of.
      Second Copy may not be able to copy files to a drive
      letter that is hidden that does not have a assigned
      drive letter.  Alternatively, you can create a share
      name on the hidden drive and as long as that share
      is visible and accessible, Second Copy can copy files
      using UNC pathname instead of the drive letter.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
    Paul
Hi Paul,
Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference!  Thank you!
I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.
-T
What do you see on your setup, when using the "net use" command ?
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16196/how-to-disconnect-non-mapped-unc-path-drives-in-windows/
   Paul
Hi Paul,

Did not see anything helpful.

I don't think I can do this.

As a test, I gave a drive a drive letter, shared it, and
used Windows Explorer to make sure the share was working.

Then I removed the drive letter and the share stopped working

-T
B00ze
2018-05-15 04:32:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Hi Paul,
Did not see anything helpful.
I don't think I can do this.
As a test, I gave a drive a drive letter, shared it, and
used Windows Explorer to make sure the share was working.
Then I removed the drive letter and the share stopped working
How about using admin shares?

i.e. net use x: \\localhost\c$\Folder\Example

But maybe they disappear when you remove the drive letter? I know there
is a way to access devices directly with \\.\ but I am having a hard
drive finding something that works. For instance, "fltmc volumes" lists
the volumes, but I can't get DIR to work with them (nor NET USE.)

Regards,
--
! _\|/_ Sylvain / ***@hotmail.com
! (o o) Member:David-Suzuki-Fdn/EFF/Red+Cross/SPCA/Planetary-Society
oO-( )-Oo Is there a banker in the house? -=}BLAM{=- Any more?
T
2018-05-15 05:45:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by B00ze
Post by T
Hi Paul,
Did not see anything helpful.
I don't think I can do this.
As a test, I gave a drive a drive letter, shared it, and
used Windows Explorer to make sure the share was working.
Then I removed the drive letter and the share stopped working
How about using admin shares?
i.e. net use x: \\localhost\c$\Folder\Example
But maybe they disappear when you remove the drive letter? I know there
is a way to access devices directly with \\.\ but I am having a hard
drive finding something that works. For instance, "fltmc volumes" lists
the volumes, but I can't get DIR to work with them (nor NET USE.)
Regards,
Ya, they disappear when you remove the drive letter. Personal
Back tech support got back wit me today and they reproduced
the same thing.

Looks like I am back to using Cobian Backup. Wish Macrium
did not use proprietary formats. Seen that hostage
situation too many times. If it can't be read with Thunar,
it is a deal killer (I told their sales rep such and
their tech support that too).
Frank Slootweg
2018-05-15 09:56:56 UTC
Permalink
T <***@invalid.invalid> wrote:
[...]
Post by T
Ya, they disappear when you remove the drive letter. Personal
Back tech support got back wit me today and they reproduced
the same thing.
Looks like I am back to using Cobian Backup. Wish Macrium
did not use proprietary formats. Seen that hostage
situation too many times. If it can't be read with Thunar,
it is a deal killer (I told their sales rep such and
their tech support that too).
I use Cobian Backup for file backup and Macrium Reflect (FREE) for
image backup. So the format which Macrium uses is effectively a
non-issue. Why is it an issue for you?

Not that I'm looking for alternatives, but do you have some URL(s) for
'Personal Back' or/and 'Second Copy'? These names are too ambiguous for
a Google search. Thanks.
T
2018-05-15 23:04:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Slootweg
[...]
Post by T
Ya, they disappear when you remove the drive letter. Personal
Back tech support got back wit me today and they reproduced
the same thing.
Looks like I am back to using Cobian Backup. Wish Macrium
did not use proprietary formats. Seen that hostage
situation too many times. If it can't be read with Thunar,
it is a deal killer (I told their sales rep such and
their tech support that too).
I use Cobian Backup for file backup and Macrium Reflect (FREE) for
image backup. So the format which Macrium uses is effectively a
non-issue. Why is it an issue for you?
I use Clone Zilla for images.

I was trying to use Macrium to back up certain files, not
a clone. Certain files go into a proprietary archive. Deal
killer. Fails the Thunar test.

Macrium pluses:
World class tech support
will operate on hidden (no drive letter) drives
reasonable price
impressive interface

Minuses:
eMail reports don't work (although the test does)
unable to set frequency of incremental backups, just the start time
files backed up are not readable by standard file browsers
Post by Frank Slootweg
Not that I'm looking for alternatives, but do you have some URL(s) for
'Personal Back' or/and 'Second Copy'? These names are too ambiguous for
a Google search. Thanks.
Personal Back:
does not eMail reports unless you pay up (price is not unreasonable)
does not backup to hidden drives (no drive letter)

Second Copy:
does not backup to hidden drives (no drive letter)
Every directory you backup is a separate task, which is a
pain in the ass!

Since I have coded wrappers for Cobian to work with hidden drives
and to rotate archives to my liking, I will stick with Cobian.

I am getting better and better at Perl 6. So ultimately, if I
am going to be so picky, I should ultimately code what I want.
But what a pain in the ass.
Paul
2018-05-15 11:47:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by B00ze
Post by T
Hi Paul,
Did not see anything helpful.
I don't think I can do this.
As a test, I gave a drive a drive letter, shared it, and
used Windows Explorer to make sure the share was working.
Then I removed the drive letter and the share stopped working
How about using admin shares?
i.e. net use x: \\localhost\c$\Folder\Example
But maybe they disappear when you remove the drive letter? I know
there is a way to access devices directly with \\.\ but I am having a
hard drive finding something that works. For instance, "fltmc volumes"
lists the volumes, but I can't get DIR to work with them (nor NET USE.)
Regards,
Ya, they disappear when you remove the drive letter. Personal
Back tech support got back wit me today and they reproduced
the same thing.
Looks like I am back to using Cobian Backup. Wish Macrium
did not use proprietary formats. Seen that hostage
situation too many times. If it can't be read with Thunar,
it is a deal killer (I told their sales rep such and
their tech support that too).
So what you're doing then, is hunting for an "imaging" program,
one that captures both files and metadata, and then wishing
that when it stores its output, it only stored it as files
(without metadata) ?

You can't have one without the other. And a backup is no good,
if you "make it easy to lose bits and pieces".

*******

If you want a file by file backup program, then find a file
by file backup program. But don't come back and complain that
"after a restore, it wouldn't boot".

Here's an idea for you, a silly idea, but an idea none-the-less.

1) Make a backup in image format (you know, one of those
evil proprietary formats).

2) Immediately do a second file-by-file backup, which only
collects the files and their data, and it collects no
permissions, attributes, or sufficient metadata to allow
booting. This second backup is solely for the purpose
of meeting your "access" requirement.

You could, for example, do (2) with Robocopy, and (1) with Macrium.

And for God sake, look up how to freeze a partition with VSS,
so when you run Robocopy, run it against a *frozen* copy of
C:, not against C: itself. That way, all the files will be
in a consistent state. This is the same thing that Macrium
does - it prefers to use VSS, for the consistency it brings
to backups of C: . And don't forget to release the shadow
after you're done with it. The system only has room for
64 of them.

Paul
T
2018-05-15 23:27:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul
So what you're doing then, is hunting for an "imaging" program,
Hi Paul,

Actually no. I got Clone Zilla for that. I just want
individual folders
Post by Paul
*******
If you want a file by file backup program, then find a file
by file backup program. But don't come back and complain that
"after a restore, it wouldn't boot".
I find it is better to start over from scratch with
Windows and do a fresh install. It dumps all the
sins of the past. This way I start the customer over
with only what they need. Then they can start adding
jammed updates, junkware, viruses, and other weird
stuff back ALL ON THEIR OWN.

So I only want files and directories. Don't even
want NTFS attributes. And I want history. Customers
typically back up corrupted stuff.

I got back a missing for three years directory for a customer
a months ago. She got so, so lucky! I am still in
wonder. And he backup did not work either.

And I want to backup to hidden partition so that ransomware
leaves it alone.

Oh, and I do my damnedest to get folks off of Outleak.

You can read doc, docs, xls, xlsx with LibreOffice while
they are protesting that they actually bought Office.

:'(

You should see the backup scheme I use on my office computer,
but it is Fedora and Linux has all the cool tools.

Thank you for all the help and tips!

-T
Tim
2018-05-14 06:02:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul
Post by Paul
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=
vs.85%29.aspx
Post by Paul
   Paul
Hi Paul,
Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference! Thank you!
I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.
-T
Try creating a share for the drive or whatever portion you want
accessable while the drive still has a letter assigned so you can work
with it. After the share is created, then remove the drive letter. The
share should remain functional. Since you are hiding the drive, I would
be very precise in what access I would allow to anyone using the share.
T
2018-05-14 09:22:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tim
Post by Paul
Post by Paul
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
I don't know what you're trying to do, but there's a
Microsoft web page on naming conventions.
"Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces"
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365247%28v=
vs.85%29.aspx
Post by Paul
   Paul
Hi Paul,
Not what I am trying to do, but I love the reference! Thank you!
I am trying to hide the drive letter of a partition on a drive
and share the partition as a Windows network share.
-T
Try creating a share for the drive or whatever portion you want
accessable while the drive still has a letter assigned so you can work
with it. After the share is created, then remove the drive letter. The
share should remain functional. Since you are hiding the drive, I would
be very precise in what access I would allow to anyone using the share.
see my 7:55 pm entry
Mr. Man-wai Chang
2018-05-16 15:03:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
First, to assign a drive letter?
--
@~@ Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch! Live long and prosper!!
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty!
/( _ )\ May the Force and farces be with you!
^ ^ (x86_64 Ubuntu 9.10) Linux 2.6.39.3
不借貸! 不詐騙! 不賭錢! 不援交! 不打交! 不打劫! 不自殺! 不求神! 請考慮綜援
(CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa
T
2018-05-17 16:06:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
First, to assign a drive letter?
The connection drops after you remove the drive letter
Mr. Man-wai Chang
2018-05-17 18:53:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
First, to assign a drive letter?
The connection drops after you remove the drive letter
Then you don't remove the drive letter!! Alternatively, try to script
the process,
--
@~@ Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch! Live long and prosper!!
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty!
/( _ )\ May the Force and farces be with you!
^ ^ (x86_64 Ubuntu 9.10) Linux 2.6.39.3
不借貸! 不詐騙! 不賭錢! 不援交! 不打交! 不打劫! 不自殺! 不求神! 請考慮綜援
(CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa
T
2018-05-18 17:07:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64   &   W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
First, to assign a drive letter?
The connection drops after you remove the drive letter
Then you don't remove the drive letter!! Alternatively, try to script
the process,
I what the drive letter gone so ransomware will leave it alone
Diesel
2018-05-21 21:27:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by T
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Post by Mr. Man-wai Chang
Post by T
Hi All,
W7-Pro x 64Â Â &Â Â W10-Pro-1803
How do I network a partition on a drive that I have
removed (hidden) the drive letter?
First, to assign a drive letter?
The connection drops after you remove the drive letter
Then you don't remove the drive letter!! Alternatively, try to
script the process,
I what the drive letter gone so ransomware will leave it alone
That won't help if the ransomware or another program knows how to
use volumeIDs to gain entry to attached media. Aka, A UNC path:

For example (from a console prompt) type

mountvol <enter>

You can also get the same information from the system registry.
(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices\]

See those? You can access them:


https://superuser.com/questions/465730/access-to-a-disk-drive-using-volume-id-instead-of-a-drive-letter-in-windows

If OTH, you were wanting to semi make sure a specific USB disk was
given the same drive letter (if it's available) you can use the
label command to assign it a unique label, then use disk management
and force a specific drive letter based on that label. This way, if
the user swaps out other usb sticks,drives, pending they don't use
the drive letter you designated, you can be sure the drive you
specificed will get the drive letter you wanted it to get. Useful if
you have scripts or programs expecting to access the drive via a
specific drive letter.

Malware can also pull volumeIDs and mount a drive letter themselves,
if they are so inclined. In the event some of it's internal routines
would prefer to deal with a drive letter vs a UNC path.

The moral of this post is, don't rely on lack of drive letters as a
way to keep malware away from the contents of the drive. If Windows
can access the drive, so can malware.
--
To prevent yourself from being a victim of cyber
stalking, it's highly recommended you visit here:
https://tekrider.net/pages/david-brooks-stalker.php
===================================================
I intend to live forever or die trying.
Loading...