Question

I'm unable to RDC to Windows 2003 Server

Asked by: frankbustos

Hi Experts,

  I have a Windows 2003 server and I was able to RDC to it about a week ago. All of a sudden i'm not able to RDC to it. I have checked that Remote Desktop is checked and I even installed terminal services. I checked the windows firewall and made sure that port was not being blocked too. I am able to ping it via name and ip address.Any other suggestions to help me be able to RDC to it again would be greatly appriciated.

Error:

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.

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Asked On
2009-11-03 at 11:25:19ID24868429
Topic

Windows 2003 Server

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: MikeHolcombPosted on 2009-11-03 at 11:30:37ID: 25732560

I would ensure that the Remote Desktop Service is running.  You can look under the Services control applet as well as use the netstat to ensure the system is listening on TCP port 3389.  For example:


C:\>netstat -an

Active Connections

  Proto  Local Address          Foreign Address        State
  TCP    0.0.0.0:80             0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:135            0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:443            0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:445            0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:902            0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:912            0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:1041           0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:1241           0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING
  TCP    0.0.0.0:3389           0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING     <----- Terminal Services listening for connections

Hope this helps...

Mike
 

 

by: henjoh09Posted on 2009-11-03 at 11:46:22ID: 25732723

>> "... even installed terminal services"

You have installed TS in application mode making the server to require a TS Licensing Server for leasing TS-CALs. The TS has a grace period when being able to work without licenses, but will after that require a TSLS with TS-CALs to be able to connect to the TS.

TS in remote admin mode is free with two connections without TSLS/TS-CAL requirement. If that is expected, uninstall the Terminal Server role through control panel -> add/remove programs -> add/remove windows components.

 

by: frankbustosPosted on 2009-11-03 at 11:52:59ID: 25732812

MikeHolcomb:
I don't see
 TCP    0.0.0.0:3389           0.0.0.0:0              LISTENING    

henjoh09:

  I have un-installed terminal services and I still see it under administrative tools.

 

by: ajwukPosted on 2009-11-03 at 11:58:09ID: 25732873

You will still see the consoles, terminal services by default exists in administration mode as henjoh09 has explained above.

I assume you've tried just rebooting the server? TS on 2003 does get it knickers in a twist from time to time I've found.

 

by: henjoh09Posted on 2009-11-03 at 12:22:00ID: 25733141

If port 3389 isn't found in netstat, it sounds like the 'Terminal Services' service isn't running.
The service should start automatically during reboot, but you can also use Computer Manager to start the service.

 

by: frankbustosPosted on 2009-11-03 at 15:21:39ID: 25735003

ok, I checked terminal services and its running but I still don't see the port running. I also removed terminal services cause I should just be able to enable Remote Desktop and connect to it right. but the terminal services is still under administrative tools, it doesn't go away.

 

by: henjoh09Posted on 2009-11-05 at 09:12:12ID: 25751644

The administrative tools exist independent of if server is running in remote admin mode or application mode.
The service can't be stopped, so have you tried to reboot the server to have the service restarted?
Anything in eventlog?

 

by: frankbustosPosted on 2009-11-05 at 09:26:26ID: 25751774

i've rebooted sever times, nothing in evenlog. I did however got a virus found by semantec endpoint protectin names hacktool.rootkit. I'm doing a scan to clean this up now.

 

by: henjoh09Posted on 2009-11-05 at 09:50:00ID: 25751988

Servers infected with rootkits etc should in general be reinstalled to make sure that the infected system is cleaned up completely. Not always possibly to do so, but it's propably the only way to guarantee that the system is complete free from infection and can be 100% trusted again.

Run sfc/scannow command to check for correct versions of system files.

 

by: frankbustosPosted on 2009-11-20 at 15:26:32ID: 31649597

I just ended up installing a new OS.

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