Troubleshoot Connecting to a Microwave Network Drive

Issues

  • I am not able to connect to my Microwave drive.
  • I am having an issue connecting to a shared drive.
  • Why can't I connect to the J: drive?
  • I can't connect to my H: drive.
  • My mapped network drive is not working from home.

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students who are having issues connecting to a department drive (J:), personal drive (H:), course folder, or some other network-based shared drive on the Microwave file server.

Resolution

Try the following troubleshooting steps if you are having issues connecting to, or showing content from, a network drive location such as a department drive, personal network drive, course folder, or research drive.

  • Network location: Access to all network drives requires you to be on campus connected to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless networks, plugged into a campus network port, or connected to Bowdoin by VPN. Access is not allowed on BOWDOIN-GUEST or from any other location without connecting to VPN first.
  • Stale mapped drives: Staff and faculty who use Windows might have drives that are statically mapped, such as H: or J:. These locations may appear to connect when you are at home or away from campus; however, you will not be able to access them without connecting to VPN first, and even after you connect to VPN, the drive letter may not work correctly.
  • Access the location by the complete name or path: If you cannot access a mapped drive letter, try accessing the location using the complete path. Information on how to connect to a department drive, personal drive, and course folders is found in the Related Articles section on this page.
  • Restart your computer: It is possible that the computer has become confused. Restarting your computer can often reset things such as network drive connections.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Related Articles (3)

Instructions for connecting to a course folder on the Microwave file server from a Bowdoin or personal computer running macOS or Windows. Includes a short video walkthrough for the macOS steps.
Instructions for connecting to a Bowdoin department (J:) drive on the Microwave file server from a personal or Bowdoin computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux. Includes the VPN requirement for connecting from off campus.
Instructions for connecting to your personal (H:) network folder on the Microwave file server from a personal or Bowdoin computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux. Includes the VPN requirement for connecting from off campus.