How can I map a network drive so that it is persistent?

Are you connecting to a Windows-based network drive? If so, I can't remember the exact procedure because I've found it actually more difficult to "map to network drive" with PCs.

For the Mac, what I've done is, to save headaches, is made a shortcut to my networked drive on my Dock.

First, in the File menu:

GO > Connect to Server > Browse > (find your networked drive)

Second, double click on your choice, and what should come up is a new dialog box that says "Connect to Server" with the choice to connect as "Guest" or "Registered User."

Choose "Registered User" type in your login name and password, and click the checkbox for "Remember password in keychain" and then click on the CONNECT button.

Third, if successful, when the drive mounts, drag that to your dock and leave it there.

Then you can access your networked drive any time without having to re-enter your name and password every time. So as long as you did it right.

I don't recommend putting it in your Login Items because it can cause system hangups if for some reason, you aren't connected to your network when you startup. It will hang and search for that drive forever. ("Forever").

Trust me on that part. I've wasted precious time in most cases, waiting for the PowerBook to search for a drive that is not connected.

Also, you can put your networked drive in your "Favorite Servers" section by clicking on the "+" sign with the drive's address typed in. That way you also don't have to find it all the time.

But do the previous tip and you should be fine.

That is, if you are on a Mac to Mac network. I gave up trying to access the PC network because it kept reassigning the IP address and would never remember where it was.

(That's how I got those hangups at startup).

Yes and No.

As long as you followed the directions (hopefully they were clear and understandable), once you do so and have that alias in your dock, it is fully functional and you don't have to enter your username and password each time.

If you did it right. =)

No, it doesn't automatically kick in at startup, and that is the key issue I pointed out. You don't want that (my recommendation). Once the computer starts up and you're at your desktop, in about say, 5 seconds, you'll be up and connected to your network drive once you click on its alias in the dock.

Make sure you eject the network drive if you ever move out of wireless range and/or leave work to home (and back). The whole, waiting for the Mac to search for a drive that is not there, or not there anymore.

(Again, if all was done right and you are on a Mac-to-Mac network setup. This will work too with a Mac to PC drive setup--I did the same thing--except like I said, with my setup here, the IP address in the PC lab reassigns itself from time to time and my Mac can't find it unless I go back and do the username and password thing like you're trying to avoid).

Did you mount it first to the desktop (seeing it's icon visually on the desktop) and drag that to the dock?

It shouldn't vanish.

Oh, great! I think you solved your problem in a different way then, based on some of my suggestions, I take it.

My original problem was that it doesn't freeze. It was just the fact that since it was an automatic login, if the server is not there from the get go, it constantly searches for it before allowing any other processes to happen.

At least, any other things happen smoothly.

And if I'm not connected to the network at the time (such as, for instance, staying connected to your network drive at work, and leaving work and taking your notebook home--like I did--and at home, opening my PowerBook up, the last thing it remembered was being connected to the drive, so upon waking up from sleep, it was looking for the drive. It takes "forever" for the system to realize the drive is no longer connected).

I was going to say too bad that servers don't automatically dismount when you sleep, but I answered my own question. If I'm still at work and wake up the computer, I want that drive to still be connected.

I guess I should say it should be a smart feature. If the PowerBook wakes up and realizes it's connected to a new network, it shouldn't look for that drive anymore.

Anyway, I hope I was able to help! =)