External HDD - USB2 attached - Shared Folders

BACKGROUND (not required reading)
Recently purchased a Maxtor 200GB external drive (USB2 /external powered). When in use I have it physically attached to my XP. Once a week I use SyncBack SE (Pro version) to perform a full backup on wife/kids w98SE network attached computer. License agreement for SyncBack SE allows a copy to be installed on up to 5 computers. From previous time tests on my network, I have noticed a 30-40% data flow increase through the network when w98SE enacts the file(s) upload (verse requesting the same file(s) from w98SE C:\drive via a XP network view). So for this reason I have / run the backup program from w98SE when doing a full HD backup of it's drive. The network is the only interface for w98SE to access the external drive, since I do not want to install / config / manage a USB connection on a 8 year old computer running w98SE OS.

ISSUE (finally )
I have (1) folder on external drive shared to w98SE computer defined in my XP's network security. This folder includes "write privileges" since it is performing a backup. Everything works fine. When finished, I then repeat a similar full HDD backup for my XP onto the external drive. When I turn off my XP at the end of the day, is when I pull the power plug from external drive, since I rarely use the external drive in between this weekly backup.
The problem is the next time I want to backup the w98SE drive to the external drive via the network, my XP does NOT remember the "Shared" folder previously assigned for this network configured path. Is their a setting I can use to cement this in my XP / network shares? The only solution I have found so far is not to power down the external drive ... not a preferred option.

 

Can I assume this is accepted behavior for USB attached HDD's ?? (when powered down in between use)

 

Dennis L--Maybe I misunderstand your question, and not sure I understand just when you unplug that external HD.
I would think your external USB drive would have a turn off switch, which you could use after you shut down your PC. That way you would not have to unplug it.
However, maybe I am spoiled. I have a Western Digital USB external hard drive, which has many features apparently not on Maxtors.
But, if I want to shut down the WD drive before I shut down the PC, I would first click the chevron on the Taskbar and activate the "Safely Remove Hardware" wizard. Follow the instructions and shut off the external HD from there. No need to unplug it.

 

Thank you for your response Welshjim.

My Maxtor 3100 - 200GB external has no power switch. Although inconvenient, I can't complain. 200GB of storage, plug and go install. Arrived pre-configured as FAT32, a simply command-line phrase entry and 60 seconds later reformatted as NTFS and ready to go. All for $99.99 + tax ... but no power switch.
No problem with drive, creating network shares, or establishing and terminating USB connectivity.
The problem occurs when I am finished with my weekly backups. When I remove power from external drive, it will no longer be recognized as a network shared device when it is reconnected.

 

Only a maybe. Have a USB memory stick connected when not using the HDD. If you share that drive letter maybe it will remain shared for both drives and let the memory stick "hold" the drive letter while the HDD is not connected. A 128mb memory stick costs only a few dollars nowdays and always comes in handy.

In other words, when you disconnect the HDD drive replace the connection with a memory stick. Hopefully it will still stay "shared ".

Just a theory

Matt
PS: maybe someone with both drives could test this, I do not have an external HDD.

 

Thanks Mattman, always two ways to skin a cat.
Closest I'll ever get to "Hot Swapping" a drive.
The more I wrap my head around that approach, reassigning network share is probably simpler. It is not a big problem. More curious to know if this is just a characteristic of USB attached drives / loss of network share assignments when drive is powered down.

 

Dennis L--Good looking and "Weight: 0.00 kg ". Must be the lightest peripheral money can buy!
If there is anything to Mattman's idea, you can permanently assign a drive letter to an external drive or flash drive, through Control Panel|Administrative Tools|Computer Management|Disk Management. When all the externals are plugged in and on, assign a Drive Letter. This will be remembered the next time you connect the peripheral and Windows will not be constantly juggling drive letters depending on what is plugged in. Start with the end of the alphabet (like Z:\), further avoiding conflict with A:, C:, D:, etc,, which probably are already assigned.