Remote Desktop Connection fails to connect

[Herbert Chan]

Hello,

I've got a Windows XP SP2 computer at work and a Windows 98 SE at home. I
want to use the work computer from home.

So I've followed the instruction below

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx

to configure the work computer and the home computer. I'm using Trendmicro
internet security and I've set it to let Remote Desktop Connection to make
connection to the Internet.

However, after I've typed in the full computer name and tried to connect, I
get the following error:

The specified remote computer could not be found. Verify that you have
typed the correct computer name or IP address, and then try connecting
again.

I can't think of anything that I haven't done yet. So anyone get any idea
what I should do? If I should type in the IP address instead, how to get
the IP address of my office computer?

Thanks.

Herbert

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

You need to do the following at work...

1. Check with your work network administrators for permission to do this.
2. If they allow this then they need to open TCP Port 3389 on any
firewall/router your work PC is behind to the static LAN IP of your work PC.
3. You call the work PC using the public IP of the work firewall/router or a
fully qualified domain name. Get that from your work network administrators.

Make sure you clear this with the work network administrators. Its possible
there are company policies against connecting an *UNTRUSTED* system (ie.
your home PC) to a *TRUSTED* network or PC.

Its also possible that if this is authorized by your work network
administrators that they may require a VPN connection to the work network...

--
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...

 

[Herbert Chan]

How to check if the TCP Port 3389 is open? Can I check that myself? How to
get to know the public IP of the work firewall/router myself?

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

While at the office go to the http://www.canyouseeme.org site and run the
test for TCP Port 3389. If it passes the port is open, if it fails the port
is closed.

While at the office go to http://www.whatismyip.com to get the current ISP
assigned public IP address for your firewall/router.

--
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...

 

[Herbert Chan]

Thanks for the information.

Does that mean if TCP Port 3389 is open, I should type the public IP address
I've got from http://www.whatismyip.com into the Remote Desktop Connection
dialog box, instead of the full computer name I've got from the
Computer|System dialog box? According to the Microsoft KB, it says I should
type the full computer name I've got from System, although I also actually
doubt it as the address looks more like an intranet address to me than a
public internet address.

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

Yes, use the reported IP address...

--
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...

 

[Herbert Chan]

I've got the following messaeg on the http://www.canyouseeme.org site:

Error: I could not see your service on 202.128.225.42 on port (3389)
Reason: Connection timed out

So does that mean I can't use remote desktop without asking my system
administrator to open the port for me? Any workaround?

Thanks.

Herbert

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

That's exactly what it means...

As I noted earlier you really need to work with your office network
administrators...

--
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...

 

[Guest]

Hi,

If you want to work from home using Windows 98 SE and logging to Windows XP
Pro, you need to install Remote Desktop Connection Software in Windows 98 SE
and try to login to XP Professional

Link for Remote Desktop Software
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
and download "msrdpcli.exe"

 

[Guest]

If you want mstsc in right click, Open SendTo folder and create shortcut......

Profile Path:
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\SendTo

Shortcut:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc

after doing this when you rightclick any object you will have option called
sento, in sendto, you will have mstsc

 

[Herbert Chan]

Can either TightVNC or UltraVNC get around this port opening problem?

I've noticed my own computer at home also doesn't have the port 3389 open,
does this matter if it's going to be a client only?