Remote desktoping

[N64vSNES]

Okay I've got a bit of a problem with remote desktoping my old PC. They both run on Windows XP professional, they're on the same network. Now I can remote desktop my new PC via my old, but not my old via the new I get this error:

Code: Select all

Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:

1) Remote access to the server is not enabled
2) The remote computer is turned off
3) The remote computer is not available on the network

I've enabled remote connection on both PC's, I've added a exception to the firewall etc. I've even tried disabling my firewall but it's not working. I've also tried updating Windows remote connection software but still getting this error.

Helpz?

[Trask]

I'll assume you've rebooted both PCs, you may want to reboot your modem/router for giggles as well. Can you remote to the machine by using it's IP?

[N64vSNES]

Yeah I've tried resetting everything and I've tried both the PC name and the IP address. For connecting to my main PC via my old PC I have no trouble entering by the IP.

[dandymcgee]

Are they both running XP Pro? XP Home cannot act as a remote desktop server, but can be used as a client to connect to an XP Pro machine.

[N64vSNES]

Yep they're both definitely XP Professional.

[dandymcgee]

Can you ping the remote host? Do you have any other firewall settings enabled (on hardware acting as a firewall separate from the workstation)? Umm, can't really think of anything else based on what you've told us.

[N64vSNES]

Feel free to call me a dipshit, turns out I DID install home edition a while back after a format. Thanks anyway though Dandy.

I've found a workaround using LogMeIn, It's free and runs just as well as Windows remote desktoping software so I'd recommend it if anyone has this issue.

[dandymcgee]

Hah, cool. I used to use LogMeIn to get to my home PC from school. If you want a smaller extremely easy client/server remoting tool give TightVNC a try. It's not as feature-filled as LogMeIn obviously, but if you just need basic remote desktop capabilities it works pretty well.

http://www.tightvnc.com/

[N64vSNES]

Hah, cool. I used to use LogMeIn to get to my home PC from school. If you want a smaller extremely easy client/server remoting tool give TightVNC a try. It's not as feature-filled as LogMeIn obviously, but if you just need basic remote desktop capabilities it works pretty well.

http://www.tightvnc.com/

Looks pretty sweet.
Seems pretty good performance wise as well

Across my adventure of finding this I found some software called Input Director. If like me you've got 2 computers in the same place you can connect your second computer as a slave and use both computers with a mouse and keyboard. Maybe you guys will find it useful too.

[short]

I am on my phone at the moment so I can't try logmein, but if you've never tried team viewer you are missing out

[dr-snipe]

but if you've never tried team viewer you are missing out

Very true. TeamViewer is a really nice app, free as well

Has webcam streaming, mic streaming, and even chat. Definitely worth trying.

[k1net1k]

there is also a registry key hack for getting XP home to work with RDP. not sure if they patched that out yet

[dandymcgee]

there is also a registry key hack for getting XP home to work with RDP. not sure if they patched that out yet

If you're talking about the one that makes Home think it's Pro I wouldn't recommend that. It screws with the Genuine Advantage bullshit and makes Windows Update stop working.

[k1net1k]

yeah this was several years ago, but i dont recall what it was. i tested it in the office and it worked, but yeah it may have stopped updates from working.

[dandymcgee]

yeah this was several years ago, but i dont recall what it was. i tested it in the office and it worked, but yeah it may have stopped updates from working.

Maybe you're thinking of something else, cus what I'm thinking of required the hack to be done to the XP CD before installing. Unless you reinstalled XP in the office, hehe.