Problem using Remote Desktop Connection from a Vista machine to an XP

[Idealist]

Hey there. So here's my situation. I have a computer in my office, and I have my computer at home. I want to be able to access the computer from my computer at home, so I figure I'll setup Remote Desktop Connection. Sounds simple enough right?

Well I can't seem to connect to the computer no matter what I do. They're both behind routers, but both have been enabled DMZs and the software firewalls have been modified to incorporate RDC, so I can't figure out what the situation is here. I know a while back there was a problem with this where Microsoft released a hotfix to get Vista machines to connect to XP ones, but I still can't seem to connect.

Both computers have passwords (from what I understand that's required). If this is a problem with RDC, can anyone recommend any freeware remote desktop sharing software? I understand Linux uses some sort of VNC client but I'm not sure how to set that up on an XP machine, if it's necessary. :(

Edit - I would like to state that I tried using search but it appears there's some sort of error sending the request from my machine to the server's, as no matter how long I wait it tells me I have to wait 20 seconds for the flood control. Almost as if it's auto-sending my search requests twice. Apologies.

[c3i89g]

Live Mesh is available to everyone in the US. It's free and good.

http://www.mesh.com

Edit:

I use it everyday.

[Stonkwell Bogtrotter]

https://secure.logmein.com/home.asp?lang=en and it's free

[Idealist]

I'll check out Live Mesh, although I'm weary about using something from Microsoft when the other something from Microsoft specifically designed for doing what I need it to do, doesn't work. :(

Checkin out logmein now as well.

[c3i89g]

RDC works when everything's setup right. Live Mesh uses RDC for it's remote desktoping.

[Idealist]

  shawncm217 said:

RDC works when everything's setup right. Live Mesh uses RDC for it's remote desktoping.

Then Live Mesh won't work for me as RDC doesn't work.

I can't figure out what I could possibly have set incorrectly. If all the ports are forwarded (both DMZs), and you have the IP's of both machines, and the software firewall is set to communicate with RDC, what else could be missing?

[c3i89g]

Live Mesh uses RDC, but it does all the dynamic configuration management for you.

[McSmiggins]

Just gonna ask, cos you didn't mention it...

The machine you're trying to connect to has XP Pro, RDC turned on, the right users allocated?

[c3i89g]

You should just try Mesh. It's free, easy, secure and you'll be done. Problem solved.

[Idealist]

  McSmiggins said:

Just gonna ask, cos you didn't mention it...

The machine you're trying to connect to has XP Pro, RDC turned on, the right users allocated?

Oh, actually I do want to mention that I believe the computer I'm trying to connect to does NOT have XP Pro but XP Home, the Vista machine is Vista Ultimate. I was surprised to see RDC in the list of accessories, but it was there. Tell me more about allocating the users though, I might not have set that up correctly.

Edit - ok maybe I will give Mesh a try. We'll see. I should also note that the computer running XP is a very busy computer and isn't that fast, so the least resource-intensive the program, the better.

Edited July 22, 2008 by Idealist

[+BudMan MVC]

XP home does not support Remote desktop -- only Remote Assistance, you can not remote desktop to a XP home machine.

As to mesh, from what I understand its remote desktop feature will work on xp home.

BTW -- just took a look at live mesh, and there is a waiting list for the preview. So you might have to wait to try it out. As to another option for remote access.. Try out ultravnc

http://www.uvnc.com/

lightweight, FREE works on XP home ;)

[Idealist]

  BudMan said:

XP home does not support Remote desktop -- only Remote Assistance, you can not remote desktop to a XP home machine.

As to mesh, from what I understand its remote desktop feature will work on xp home.

BTW -- just took a look at live mesh, and there is a waiting list for the preview. So you might have to wait to try it out. As to another option for remote access.. Try out ultravnc

http://www.uvnc.com/

lightweight, FREE works on XP home ;)

I'll check out ultra vnc, but you say that XP Home doesn't support Remote Desktop, yet it's in the list of programs :blink: Why would they include it if it wasn't supported?

The Ultra VNC might work better because I believe it's naturally supported in Linux as well, meaning I can access it from a few of my other machines as well. That's good news :)

[Glen]

  Idealist said:

I'll check out ultra vnc, but you say that XP Home doesn't support Remote Desktop, yet it's in the list of programs :blink: Why would they include it if it wasn't supported?

The client is available on Windows XP Home, but the host is not. That is to say that you can use XP home to connect to a host, but you can not connect to XP home (as the host) from another PC.

[+BudMan MVC]

^ exactly.. like I said XP home does not support Remote Desktop ;)

You stated your trying to connect to a XP home machine using remote desktop - which is not possible, where did you think you enabled it at? Home only supports assistance -- just as I stated.

As to connection to a machine and from a machine --- It think your a bit confused.. linux boxes are quite capable of connecting to remote desktop hosts. http://www.rdesktop.org/

Yes ultravnc works on linux as both a client and host, but not sure what naturally is suppose to mean.. if your vnc host is running java -- you do not even need a client to connect, just a browser.

[Idealist]

  BudMan said:

^ exactly.. like I said XP home does not support Remote Desktop ;)

You stated your trying to connect to a XP home machine using remote desktop - which is not possible, where did you think you enabled it at? Home only supports assistance -- just as I stated.

As to connection to a machine and from a machine --- It think your a bit confused.. linux boxes are quite capable of connecting to remote desktop hosts. http://www.rdesktop.org/

Yes ultravnc works on linux as both a client and host, but not sure what naturally is suppose to mean.. if your vnc host is running java -- you do not even need a client to connect, just a browser.

OK I think something might've got lost in translation somewhere?? I don't know, but I went with UltraVNC. I just wish it weren't so slow. I think I'm maxing out the bandwidth on the host so it can only show me so much with the features I have enabled, but it works, and that's what matters. Thanks guys :)

[+BudMan MVC]

And what is the upload bandwidth of the machine your connecting too? I connect using ultravnc all the time from work to home, and have no problem what so ever.. yeah if your on dial up its going to be a bit sluggish ;)

[Idealist]

  BudMan said:

And what is the upload bandwidth of the machine your connecting too? I connect using ultravnc all the time from work to home, and have no problem what so ever.. yeah if your on dial up its going to be a bit sluggish ;)

It's 2MB up, which the vnc client reported it was going at about 1800k so it sounds about right. The computer itself isn't very fast however, single core, 256MB ram, the works.