Program fails to run under Remote Desktop Sessions

[mpg187]

I am using Tabworks as I have said in another thread here and for the most part it works.

However it fails to run in a Remote Desktop environment. When I first tried running it in my 2003 VM with error reporting disabled (or holding in a queue) it just quit and I didn't know why. My Desktop 2003 did the same, until I tried on XP on my Tablet and it gave an error report prompt and then I enabled error reporting on my Desktop and tried again. I realized after a while that the reason it wasn't running is because I was using RDP, as everytime I was using RDP it didn't work but when I logged on normally it worked.

I think it was working in Windows 7 on my Tablet, even over RDP. But not in XP or 2003. I can logon normally and then start it and then RDP in but the icons appear funny, and if I close it by accident I have to go again. That is not very practical.

Maybe someone here can try it and see if they can reproduce the error and solve it...

[a1ien]

This is some ancient software right? Well I'm not going to try it, but if its so ancient, you could install it in a VM (Like Windows 7 XP Mode even, Microsoft Virtual PC is plenty for this) and see if it works in there locally.

If it works, then you can probably RDP and launch the VM to run the ancient program. Since its a VM, it should not matter that its RDP, the program will be insulated from that. Heck you could run it in Windows 98 which was DOS based so the ancient software should love it.

[mpg187]

It's not that ancient. The 3.1 version was ancient.

I have been running it in a VM and it does matter if you use RDP to connect to it. I know it works normally, but not over RDP and I need it to work on RDP...

[sc302 Veteran]

Did you install it using the add programs wizard vs double clicking the executable and installing? try uninstalling and reinstalling in the install mode.

[mpg187]

I didn't use the add programs wizard, I just ran the installer, actually on Windows 7 the installer doesn't work (but the program does) so I had to copy the files from \Program Files from my 2003 VM...

Would installing it using the Wizard there make it work?

[SugarCain]

It's not that ancient. The 3.1 version was ancient.

I have been running it in a VM and it does matter if you use RDP to connect to it. I know it works normally, but not over RDP and I need it to work on RDP...

It is ancient. Find a replacement. For the love it's for 3.1 and 95.

[sc302 Veteran]

that is the theory and why that it exists. but youy will need the install, not just copy files.

[mpg187]

It works if I copy the files, just not in RDP.

I can see programs for 3.1 not working, but programs for 95 should. The programs works, just not in RDP...

It's a simple program so it should work just fine...

[sc302 Veteran]

you fail to miss the point of the install process. It changes rights on files and the registry on files that get installed in the install process. Old 3.1 programs don't put files in program files, they don't modify the registry, and they don't put files in windows or system32 folders. The install mode gives rights to those files and directories for terminal server users to be able to execute properly. Which is why you can run on the desktop and not in remote desktop.

It isn't as simple as you think.

[mpg187]

What do you mean "Install mode"

I have it installed in Vista and Seven and there are registry entries. I understand that there are programs that need to be installed with an installer, but I don't think this is one of them...

I have installed it on my Desktop using the installer and it still doesn't work in RDP...

The error report mentions Ntdll.dll if that helps...

[sc302 Veteran]

you know what I am just posting the link....ask questions as needed.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320185

this applys to 2003 and 2008 server as well.

this sort of answers it, but it is much more than just "ini" files

http://www.conetrix.com/Blog/post/Using-Terminal-Server-Install-Mode.aspx

[SugarCain]

Really? You can't install a 16 BIT program in Vista or 7.

[sc302 Veteran]

Really....

This is not required if remote administraton is enabled, only terminal services.

[SugarCain]

Really....

This is not required if remote administraton is enabled, only terminal services.

You need to do some homework son.

[sc302 Veteran]

You need to do some homework son.

I have done my homework, and I have about 500 terminal servers under my belt, with aoubt 200 citrix clusters.... ask the question. don't post stupidity.

A lot of installs put the servers in install mode, however there are some that do not. Office, for instance, will initiate the install mode on a terminal server, legacy apps will not.

[SugarCain]

I have done my homework, and I have about 500 terminal servers under my belt, with aoubt 200 citrix clusters.... ask the question. don't post stupidity.

Well... I have 3000+ workstations as well as a Citrix cluster under my belt. Don't be a wise guy. Answer the question. It's an OLD piece of software. Time to move on. It's not going to run.

[sc302 Veteran]

OK smartie pants, if it can run on the desktop what is stopping it from running in a remote desktop? other than the files needed to run not being available to the users? I have gotten plenty of legacy apps to run as a necessity in many different environments, just because you say it can't run, doesn't mean it can't run.

3000+ workstations, I dealt with more than that at the hospital I used to support.....lots of legacy make work apps there.

[SugarCain]

OK smartie pants, if it can run on the desktop what is stopping it from running in a remote desktop? other than the files needed to run not being available to the users? I have gotten plenty of legacy apps to run as a necessity in many different environments, just because you say it can't run, doesn't mean it can't run.

3000+ workstations, I dealt with more than that at the hospital I used to support.....lots of legacy make work apps there.

It's a 16Biit app. Get it to work then i''ll concede.

[SugarCain]

You do seem to be a bit arrogant with your posts BTW.

[sc302 Veteran]

I have a very old app called vinassist it was written for dos 16 bit (police app to verify vin tags). I have a 16 bit mckesson app that works fine.

You seem to give up too easy. Oop its 16 bit can't work, next....

Maybe I am arrogant but I am willing to try things before just throwing in the towel and using the excuse "it's a 16 bit app and won't work".

Its funny mckesson said the same thing, I did it then they changed their tone to it isn't supported.

[Xav]

Wow so much willy-waving I'm not sure I want to post.

But I'm stupid, so here goes.

*always* put your terminal server in Install mode. Even if you think the package does it there are heaps of install and LUA bugs you can eliminate by doing this.

Remote desktop doesn't access the profile in the same way, if you want to know if your app is compatible then take a read of this:

http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2010/01/19/how-to-detect-rds-specific-application-compatibility-issues-by-using-the-rds-application-compatibility-analyzer.aspx

And take a look at App-V, formerly known as SoftGrid, it takes care of a number of the challenges delivering apps via RDP by virtualising chunks of the filesystem and registry. Avoid Med-V or XP-Mode unless it's an OS architecture issue, if it runs via the local console session you've already ruled that out.

Hopefully people will put their e-peens in the inert position now, the OP can investigate his problem and we can all move on with our lives :)

Re 16-bit, as most terminal server admins are now looking towards 64-bit OSes they will find 16-bit apps are incompatible as a whole, SysWOW64 which is the wrapper for legacy processes only supports 32-bit apps on a 64-bit subsystem. Bearing in mind Server 2008 R2 isn't available as x86 16-bit apps are finally left out in the cold.

[Joel]

Really? You can't install a 16 BIT program in Vista or 7.

You're thinking of 64-bit systems, which won't run 16-bit apps. 32-bit versions should run them, if they can be run on a modern system at all.

[mpg187]

I have Tabworks running under Windows 7 64 But, just the installer doesn't work. Ironically it works in RDP on Windows 7.

I can't get it to work in Vista, XP, or 2003 under RDP.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320185

Do the steps there apple to XP as well?

EDIT:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>change user /install

Install mode does not apply to a Terminal server configured for remote administr

ation.

http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2010/01/19/how-to-detect-rds-specific-application-compatibility-issues-by-using-the-rds-application-compatibility-analyzer.aspx

Do I run that in an RDP sesssion?

EDIT: I can't download the file, is makes you fill out a stupid profile, and I am not wasting my time just to download on file, can someone put it on rapidshare or megaupload?

if it can run on the desktop what is stopping it from running in a remote desktop?

Exactly, the program does run, just not in RDP...

I used the add/remove programs wizard and it still didn't work :(

[sc302 Veteran]

Try running it in the admin account. I am sure you already tried. Also try just running one instance, I have had issues where the app didn't like being launched several times from the same location so I have had to install the app in several directories so that it didn't step on itself.

[mpg187]

I was using the admin account L(

When I logon using RDP I use the console session so it shouldn't have a problem with multiple instances...