Computer Performance, Windows 2003, Exchange 2003, Logon Scripts

Code Error 800704B0 - The specified device name is invalid

Troubleshooting Code 800704B0 - The specified device name is invalid

Introduction to Code 800704B0

This error code, 800704B0 usually occurs when you try to map a network drive with a VBScript.  WSH is probably using a method called MapNetworkDrive or AddPrinterConnection.   Here is a wild guess, you have omitted the : (colon) on the Drive letter e.g. it should be = "M:" but you entered = "M".

The Symptoms you get Code 800704B0 Error The specified device name is invalid - WSH VBScript

The script does not execute as you hoped, instead you get a WSH error message.  The probable scenario is that you are trying to create a Windows logon script.

The Cause of Error 800704B0

The problem is that you made a mistake with the drive letter.  It is not plain "M", it should have a colon and so be "M:"  Note that Source: WSHNetwork.MapNetworkDrive gives a valuable clue.  WSH has indicated Line 10, which narrow down the search.  Char 1 is not very helpful in this case.  What happens if there is an error on the line, sometimes Char 1 gets blamed.

Solutions for The specified device name is invalid

Edit Line 10

WShNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "M", RemotePath

Change the "M" to "M:"

WShNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "M:", RemotePath

Check this section for examples of MapNetworkDrive

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Example 1 of Script 800704B0

 

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set WshNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
Set AllDrives = WshNetwork.EnumNetworkDrives()

DriveLetter = "M:"
RemotePath = "\\alan\home"
strRemoteName = "Guy"

WShNetwork.MapNetworkDrive "M", RemotePath

WshShell.PopUp "Drive " & DriveLetter & " connected successfully."

 

Example 2 of Script 800704B0

objNetwork.addPrinterConnection "HP 4L", "\\Lucy4\HP Laser 4L"

Too many arguments, and also wrong method.

What it should be is :

objNetwork.addWindowsPrinterConnection  "\\Lucy4\HP Laser 4L"
Also note there is only one argument, the name of the shared printer.

 

' HPPrinter.vbs
' Script to map an HP Printer from the Lucy4 server
' Version 1.1 August 2004
' Guy Thomas http://computerperformance.co.uk

Option Explicit
Dim objNetwork

Set ObjNetwork = CreateObject("Wscript.Network")
objNetwork.addPrinterConnection "HP 4L", "\\Lucy4\HP Laser 4L"
Wscript.echo " Share Mapped "
Wscript.Quit

' End of Guy's script

 

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Do you need extra help?

For interpreting the WSH messages check Diagnose 800 errors.

For general advice try my 7 Troubleshooting techniques

Give something back?

Would you like to help others?  If you have a good example of this error, then please email me, I will publish it with a credit to you:

 


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