I have 2 computers linked in a LAN through a router. Both are using XP. I had some diffidulty sending up the network, but it is working well now. I am able to communicate between computers, share files, etc. Computer A has identified the networked computer as "Drive K"; there are several USB ports, and CD & DVD drives which are on Computer A. There do not seem to be any conflicts in resources nor IRQs.

The problem I am having is that when I plug in anything into one of the USB ports, that device is identified by the computer as "Drive K", and the network connection to Computer B is lost. The newly connected device works without any problems.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is occurring, or suggestions as th how it can be fixed?I'd change the MAPPING from K: to Z: for the networked shared drive, then problem solved, no more USB attached storage stomping on same driver letters. I ran into a similar issue a while back with a card reader with a client and mapped drives. Moved the mapped drives to X: Y: and Z: and problem solved.This sounds as if it would work, but I'm not sure how this can be done. When I go to Disk Management I find that the mapped network drive is not shown.  If I connect a USB device it is shown, but the mapped drive is not.

How can the mapped network drive designation be changed?If this is a flash drive being plugged that's causing this there is a simple solution...
Open the flash drive in Disk Management...right clik it and select Properties...
Give it a Volume Label...can be any name you WANT.
Then ASSIGN it any drive letter you like above K...because it now has a Volume Label it will retain the drive letter...even when moved to any other PC...so choose the drive letter wisely.The problem involved more than a flash drive. HOWEVER, using a flash drive as a test I followed your suggestion. I didn't assign a volume label, I only changed the drive letter. The flash drive didn't retain the drive designation when used on another computer, but the problem has ended. Now, when I connect a device, flash drive or other, the computer automatically assigns a letter to it. Originally, the mapped network drive was "K". It is still "K". The drive letter I assigned to the flash drive was "L". This letter is no longer recognized by the computer. Instead the computer calls the first device connected to a USB port "M", and subsequent devices in order.

I am left with drives "F","G","H", and "I" which were the USB ports, but now cannot be connected to.

It's all very strange, but at least I can use my mapped network drive again.

Thanks.
F,G,H and I sound like a card reader...they wouldn't be assigned drive letters unless something was in use if they were simply USB ports...
If you don't want to try the suggestion that's fine...I hadn't thought about that, but I now think you're right. They are card readers (which I don't use).

Thanks for your help and insight into the problemAnytime...