Remote Desktop doesn't connect online ...

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Guest

I've setup the following :

* Win XP
* Have remote desktop activated on both computers
* The remote computer is set up to accept remote connections
* The remote computer does not have exceeded the maximum number of remote
connections because I'm the one and only one trying to connect
* My network is working fine otherwise

So why do I always get the error message :

The client could not connect to the remote computer. Remote connections
might not be enabled or the computer might be too busy to accept new
connections. It is also possible that network problems are preventing your
connection. Please try your connection again later. If the problem continues
to occur, contact your administrator.

I was already assuming that it won't be enough to follow the instructions to
get this up and running. Who has established it already and can help me too
.... ?

Regards,
Frank
 
Assuming you try to access using RDC through the Internet and you have routers, have you enabled the port 3389? This troubleshooting link may help,

Troubleshooting terminal server issues When trying to access TS (administration mode), you may get this message: "The client could not connect to the remote computer. Remote connections might not ...
www.chicagotech.net/troubleshootingts.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I've setup the following :

* Win XP
* Have remote desktop activated on both computers
* The remote computer is set up to accept remote connections
* The remote computer does not have exceeded the maximum number of remote
connections because I'm the one and only one trying to connect
* My network is working fine otherwise

So why do I always get the error message :

The client could not connect to the remote computer. Remote connections
might not be enabled or the computer might be too busy to accept new
connections. It is also possible that network problems are preventing your
connection. Please try your connection again later. If the problem continues
to occur, contact your administrator.

I was already assuming that it won't be enough to follow the instructions to
get this up and running. Who has established it already and can help me too
... ?

Regards,
Frank
 
The internal IP (ie. 192.168.1.0) is an invalid IP. You need to use the
local static LAN IP of the PC you want to remotely control. To find that go
to "Start -> Run" and type cmd at the command line. At the command prompt
type the command ipconfig, which will display the assigned IP. If your not
using a static IP address you need to look at this page for help setting
that up...

http://www.portforward.com/networking/static-xp.htm

You also should use 3389 as the internal port and the external start/stop
entries. Use a descriptive name like RDP or Remote Desktop for the pin hole
name.

General troubleshooting help, etc for Remote Desktop...

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteDesktop/RemoteDesktopSetupandTroubleshooting.html

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hey Al,
thx for reply. How can I check in my home network if Remote Desktop would
work online too ? My son is in Germany and it is in the middle of the night
right now there.

Other quaestion, I'm looking to use Remote Assistance also, does it use the
same type of preparation to get it up and running ?

Frank
 
To call the remote PC you need to know its public IP address, ie. the IP
assigned by the ISP which may be dynamic (ie. a DHCP IP address). An easy
way to call is to use a free service like No-IP.com that will assign a fully
qualified domain name (FQDN) to the PC. You then call the FQDN and don't
have to worry about trying to figure out what the IP is at any given time.
The No-IP.com program runs on the target PC and on a time scheduled basis
contacts the No-IP.com servers. The servers then map the FQDN to the current
IP address and propagate that information over the public internet.

http://www.no-ip.com

I use No-IP.com to call my home LAN all the time. It works very well.

Remote Assistance (RA) should be transparent if you both have UPnP enabled
routers and use Messenger. I really don't use it but here is an article that
describes how firewalls, routers, etc affect RA...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301529/en-us

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300692/en-us

Note that RA and RDP differ in purpose. RA is a "help desk" function where
the Expert can both view and control the Novice desktop (with permissions
from the Novice) at the same time the Novice is logged on. RDP allows you to
take complete control of the remote desktop just like you were sitting in
front of it but only one person at a time can be logged on the remote PC...

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hi Al,
Thanks for the no-ip.com info. I’ll be checking that out pretty soon … very
interesting to avoid the expensive static IP services from the provider.
I’ve enabled port 3389 on both computers which I want to connect by Remote
Assistance. MSN Messenger is running on both computers and both users are
logged in. I get an invitation for Remote Assistance from the other party and
accept it … then nothing happens any more. What do I have to do now ? Isn’t
the MSN solving the each time new IP address thing ?
Thx,
Frank
 
Any error messages either that popup or in the event logs?

Have you tried another method like the file or email method to send/receive
the invitation? I have only used the file method in my limited testing of
RA...

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
No error massages came up. I’ve tried both, the e-mail and Messenger
invitation from within “Help & Support / Invite a friend Remote Assistanceâ€
and the invitation from within MSN Messenger.
The e-mail invitations never get to the e-mailaccounts of the invited party,
andfrom within MSN Messenger I get the “you are invited†message and when I
“accept†the invitation, nothing happens any more.

thx,
Frank
Actually, how does the "Notify me of replies" function in this forum works ?
I never get a notification when I get a reply, although I've checked the
option when posting
 
Hi Al,
is there a chance to chat or phone with you, the forum back and forth takes
ages and I get into trouble more and more ...

thx,
Frank
(e-mail address removed)
 
Please describe how both you (the Expert)and the person you want to help
(the Novice) connect to the public internet, ie. broadband cable/DSL or
dialup, are you both behind routers and/or hardware firewalls and are you
running any type of firewall software on either or both PC.

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hi Al,
both computers are connected via DSL so both have the DSL-Router, where NAT
etc. is enabled at port 3389 on both routers. Both computers have WinXP Pro.
and the Windows Firewall running, where on both Remote Desktop is activated
and setup in the Firewall so it is not blocked.

If you want, we can try to establish a connection between your computer as
Expert and mine as Novice to see what the problem is.

Regards,
Frank
 
Are the DSL modems also routers? That may be the issue if they are not in a
bridge mode. If you go to the http://www.canyouseeme.org site and run the
test does it pass or fail?

Is UPnP enabled on each router and on your PCs?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301529/en-us

Check the services listed at the end of this article...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323713/

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hi Al,
Regarding the DSL-Modems, that’s where I can setup NAT and the ports to be
enabled … if that say’s the DSL-Modems are routers then they are, other wise
how’d I distinguish ?
Regarding www.canyouseeme.org it passes the test fine and I have the
following output when I check port 3389 :
****
Success: I can see your service on 71.136.185.41 on port (3389)
Your ISP is not blocking port 3389
****
Regarding the UpnP, where in WinXP and on Routers would I have to check for
this option and enable it if necessary ? I was not able to find a description
of how to do it in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323713/

Regards,
Frank
 
To check services type "services.msc" at the "Start -> Run" command
window...

I just went back through the whole thread and am getting confused, not
unusual by the way. So, to get back to basics...

Are you trying to use Remote Desktop (RDP) to access/control your son's PC
or is your son trying to access/control your PC?

Have you tested over the local LAN to see if you can connect to the RDP host
PC from another PC on the same LAN? If it connects then it comes down to a
router issue. If it does not connect then it comes down to firewall issue on
the RDP host PC. Its also possible NAV worm protection or MS OneCare Live is
blocking incoming RDP access on the RDP host PC.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.o...andTroubleshooting.html#Test_on_the_local_LAN

Have you looked at the troubleshooting section on this page?

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.o...pSetupandTroubleshooting.html#Troubleshooting

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hi Al,

please see *** my text in your text ...

Sooner Al said:
To check services type "services.msc" at the "Start -> Run" command
window...
Click to expand...
*** The Universal Plug and Play Device Host is on Startup Type "manual"
I just went back through the whole thread and am getting confused, not
unusual by the way. So, to get back to basics...

Are you trying to use Remote Desktop (RDP) to access/control your son's PC
or is your son trying to access/control your PC?
Click to expand...
*** One time I want to be able to access his desktop and work with him
together, and another time my son should be able to access my desktop for
collaboration.
Have you tested over the local LAN to see if you can connect to the RDP host
Click to expand...
*** Don't know yet how to do that
PC from another PC on the same LAN? If it connects then it comes down to a
router issue. If it does not connect then it comes down to firewall issue on
the RDP host PC. Its also possible NAV worm protection or MS OneCare Live is
blocking incoming RDP access on the RDP host PC.
Click to expand...
*** Can you tell me what to do to solve these points ?

thx,
Frank
 
Manual is OK... Check the dependencies to make sure those are running...

For help with Remote Assistance you might look at these posts from Robin
Walker, MS-MVP, for possible help...

http://tinyurl.com/rsjbx

For Remote Desktop...

To test on the local LAN see the page I pointed you to...

If your running NAV or OneCare or similar software check the documentation
for help...I don't use either one, but have seen cases of those causing
issues...

***NOTE - All of this should be done at each end, ie. you end and your son's
end of the link...

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
 
Hi Al,

*** my text is in your text ...


Sooner Al said:
Manual is OK... Check the dependencies to make sure those are running...
Click to expand...
*** what are the dependencies and what do I have to check with it ?
For help with Remote Assistance you might look at these posts from Robin
Walker, MS-MVP, for possible help...

http://tinyurl.com/rsjbx
Click to expand...
*** thank you for the link, there is so much information that I don't have a
clue what is related to me and what to do next. Also I don't really know what
my problem would be ... I only see that I've done all so far but it never
worked til now.
For Remote Desktop...

To test on the local LAN see the page I pointed you to...
Click to expand...
*** I had tested it on the LAN and it worked immediately, but not online.
If your running NAV or OneCare or similar software check the documentation
for help...I don't use either one, but have seen cases of those causing
issues...
Click to expand...
*** I think I don't use anything else than WinXP Pro ... I never installed
anything else for Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance

***NOTE - All of this should be done at each end, ie. you end and your son's
end of the link...
Click to expand...
*** Yes, my son was doing the NAT and WinXP Pro settings with me on the phone.
Regards and thx,
Frank
 
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