Remote desktop only works if someone is already logged in

[Boe]

I'm sure this is incredibly simple but I don't know the answer.

We have an XP SP2 machine that has remote desktop enabled from the MY PC
properties. We can remote into the box after someone logs in locally but
if we reboot the box and no one is logged in, no one can remote desktop into
the box.

Is there a way to enable remote desktop so that people can remote into the
PC even if the PC has just booted and no one has logged in yet?

Thanks


PS - I could have it autologon and enable a password protected screen saver
but I'd prefer not.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm sure this is incredibly simple but I don't know the answer.

We have an XP SP2 machine that has remote desktop enabled from the MY PC
properties. We can remote into the box after someone logs in locally but
if we reboot the box and no one is logged in, no one can remote desktop
into
the box.

Is there a way to enable remote desktop so that people can remote into the
PC even if the PC has just booted and no one has logged in yet?

Thanks


PS - I could have it autologon and enable a password protected screen
saver but I'd prefer not.

- How exactly do you start Remote Desktop? Please be specific!
- What exactly happens when you try to log on while no one
is logged on?

 

[Boe]

Good question -
My host PC is Windows XP SP2
I right clicked on my computer desktop icon
Click on remote tab
checked allow remote box

If I boot the screen and it is at the logon prompt - you can't remote into
it.
If the user logs on locally, then others can remote into the box.

I can remote into that box right now so I can't give you the exact error
message but I'm guessing it is something like - This computer can't connect
to the remote computer.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You have now told me how you enabled Remote Desktop
on the host computer. However, you have not told me
how you launch Remote Desktop on the remote machine.
And yes, I do need the verbatim error message you see.

 

[Boe]

Using the latest version of remote desktop downloaded from MS, I use an XP
SP2 machine - click on remote desktop - put in the IP address and click
connect.

The exact error message is - This computer can't connect to the remote
computer

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

We're getting closer by small incremental steps . . . I assume
that the "Remote Desktop" shortcut is linked to the following
command:

c:\windows\system32\mstsc.exe

This is really the command you run and this is what I need
to know. Please confirm.

Now let's run this little test while you're unable to connect
to the host PC.
1. Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}
2. Type these commands:
ping aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd{Enter}
(use the correct IP address of the host).
telnet /v:aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd{Enter}
mstsc /v:aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd{Enter}
Report what you see for against each command.
3. Repeat all of Step 2 while someone is logged on
at the host machine.

 

[Boe]

That is the command I run

When the computer is turned on I can
I can ping the ip address of the host computer

I won't be able to tell you any more until monday when the computer is
turned on.