RDC closes when I click "Connect"

[Lee]

I'd been using RDC for ages, inputting the target PC's IP address, rather
than using a VPN. Now, all of a sudden, whenever I click "Connect", the
standard Windows XP error reporting box (Remote Desktop Connection has
encountered a problem and needs to close) appears. WHY!?

 

[Lee]

I forgot to add, that both PCs, are running XP Professional, both SP3.

 

[David Dickinson]

I'm assuming that both machines are on a LAN and that you're not connecting
over the internet and that that is why you feel safe not using a VPN, right?
If they're connected over the internet THEN USE A VPN AND ESTABLISH YOUR RDP
SESSION THROUGH THAT!

Are there any events in the event log at the time of this error? What
details of the problem are offered on the message dialog that is displayed?

David Dickinson
eveningstar at mvps dot org