XP Home VPN/Remote Desktop Will Not Connect

[Mike]

Hi, a friend is using a PC w/ XP Home, Comcast Internet connection, Cisco
VPN Client, Real Secure Desktop Protector firewall and AVG virus detection
software. She routinely connected to the company's remote server. About
three weeks ago the PC lost its ability connect to the remote. server.
Today, while at work, I had her log onto a PC at work, then using a Cisco
VPN client and Remote Desktop she was able to connect to the remote server
w/o difficulty.

On her home PC the Cisco VPN Client works as it should but Remote Desktop
will not connect to the remote server.
It times out w/ a generic message stating check remote desktop settings.
Remote Desktop settings appear to be the same
as those that work on other PCs. She reports the problem began about three
weeks ago.
After reviewing the AVG virus log I noticed the Trojan popinslite.exe
(trojan horse downloader generic?.oxz.
was deleted on 10/01/03. I updated Spybot and ran it which deleted five
other Trojans but I don't have the names with me.

Any idea how I can diagnose the Remote Desktop problem and fix it?

Thanks,

Mike.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi, a friend is using a PC w/ XP Home, Comcast Internet connection, Cisco
VPN Client, Real Secure Desktop Protector firewall and AVG virus detection
software. She routinely connected to the company's remote server. About
three weeks ago the PC lost its ability connect to the remote. server.
Today, while at work, I had her log onto a PC at work, then using a Cisco
VPN client and Remote Desktop she was able to connect to the remote server
w/o difficulty.

On her home PC the Cisco VPN Client works as it should but Remote Desktop
will not connect to the remote server.
It times out w/ a generic message stating check remote desktop settings.
Remote Desktop settings appear to be the same
as those that work on other PCs. She reports the problem began about three
weeks ago.
After reviewing the AVG virus log I noticed the Trojan popinslite.exe
(trojan horse downloader generic?.oxz.
was deleted on 10/01/03. I updated Spybot and ran it which deleted five
other Trojans but I don't have the names with me.

Any idea how I can diagnose the Remote Desktop problem and fix it?

Thanks,

Mike.

This is really something that the company's network administrator
should resolve. He has control over the remote server - your
friend hasn't.

 

[Mike]

This is really something that the company's network administrator
should resolve. He has control over the remote server - your
friend hasn't.

I will check w/ him but all indications are the problem residues w/ the
local PC as evidenced by her being able to connect from other PCs.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I will check w/ him but all indications are the problem residues w/ the
local PC as evidenced by her being able to connect from other PCs.

Even if the problem resides with your friend it is still the network
administrator's job to resolve the issue. Several of my clients use
RDP to gain access to their office PCs. If I asked them to get
their friends to resolve RDP issues at their home PCs then I
would get a look of total incomprehension followed by the advice
that my services are no longer required.

 

[Kevin McCormick]

Run these online virus scanners make sure the computer is clean.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Also try Kaspersky, but it only locates viruses.
You'll have to look through log and delete them manually.

http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php

Could have been something a virus has done to screw up the settings.
Maybe a firewall causing problem too.

Check these sites for help with settings.

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Using-Remote-Desktop-Windows-XP-Pro.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/enableremote.mspx

 

[bob brozewicz]

Hi, a friend is using a PC w/ XP Home, Comcast Internet connection, Cisco
VPN Client, Real Secure Desktop Protector firewall and AVG virus detection
software. She routinely connected to the company's remote server. About
three weeks ago the PC lost its ability connect to the remote. server.
Today, while at work, I had her log onto a PC at work, then using a Cisco
VPN client and Remote Desktop she was able to connect to the remote server
w/o difficulty.

On her home PC the Cisco VPN Client works as it should but Remote Desktop
will not connect to the remote server.
It times out w/ a generic message stating check remote desktop settings.
Remote Desktop settings appear to be the same
as those that work on other PCs. She reports the problem began about three
weeks ago.
After reviewing the AVG virus log I noticed the Trojan popinslite.exe
(trojan horse downloader generic?.oxz.
was deleted on 10/01/03. I updated Spybot and ran it which deleted five
other Trojans but I don't have the names with me.

Any idea how I can diagnose the Remote Desktop problem and fix it?

Thanks,

Mike.

why not give the help desk at her company a call.

i know that where i work, if the intrusion detection software detects
virus/spyware on your machine the company will deny a connection to the
work servers. another thing to check for is if any p2p software is
running when connecting, again, if it is, the company software denies
the connection here.

i think her companies help desk is the best place to start with
resolving the issue.

bob b.

 

[Mike]

Even if the problem resides with your friend it is still the network
administrator's job to resolve the issue. Several of my clients use
RDP to gain access to their office PCs. If I asked them to get
their friends to resolve RDP issues at their home PCs then I
would get a look of total incomprehension followed by the advice
that my services are no longer required.

The NA will not support PCs outside of the enterprise. I'm responsible for
RDP for my workgroup
among other duties

 

[Mike]

Run these online virus scanners make sure the computer is clean.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Also try Kaspersky, but it only locates viruses.
You'll have to look through log and delete them manually.

http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php

Could have been something a virus has done to screw up the settings.
Maybe a firewall causing problem too.

Check these sites for help with settings.

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Using-Remote-Desktop-Windows-XP-Pro.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/enableremote.mspx

My gut tells me it was caused by spyware or malware or a virus. I add an
exception to the FW for Cisco VPN
but have had to for RDP. Today while reading MD RDP documents I ran across
something suggesting an exception
for RDP. I revisit it tomorrow. I didn't think to run treandmicro online
scan last night. Usually, the first things I do is run spy bot, adaware and
housecall.
Thanks for useful links.

 

[Mike]

why not give the help desk at her company a call.

i know that where i work, if the intrusion detection software detects
virus/spyware on your machine the company will deny a connection to the
work servers. another thing to check for is if any p2p software is running
when connecting, again, if it is, the company software denies the
connection here.

i think her companies help desk is the best place to start with resolving
the issue.

I am the remote desktop help desk. Last week she spent hours w/ the
national help desk and even more
w/ the local help desk and when I returned to work she contacted me.