Network Password request on open dialog

[vdmtery]

We have a Linux machine functioning as a file server on which is a
'shared' drive where all users on the network can share documents. This
network share is named \\linuxserver\shared. In Word I have added a
link to this share to 'My Places' of the 'Open Dialog' box. Word has
then named this link to 'shared'. If I use this link to go to the
'shared' folder, I am asked for a Network Password. I can cancel this
request and the contents of the shared folder are displayed. However,
if I instead go to '\\linuxserver\shared' via the drop-down, I am NOT
asked for a network password.

Is there a way to disable a network password request when using the
link in the 'My Places'? I have all the required network passwords for
this user setup in Windows XP, otherwise I would be asked for a
password when I navigate to \\linuxserver\shared.

I am using:
Windows XP with SP2
Word 2003