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Troubleshooting Remote Desktop

I'm having a problem connecting to Remote Desktop from outside my local network. Within my local network, connecting say from my laptop to my desktop, it works fine -- I just remote to the static IP I've assigned to myself within my local net (192.168.1.x). But outside my network, say at a friends place, a coffee shop, school, work, etc. it doesn't work. I try to remote to the IP I've been given by my broadband company and I just the message:

"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. It is also possible that network problems are preventing your connection. Please try to connect again later. If the problem continues to occur, contact your system administrator."

I'm trying to troubleshoot this systematically to locate the problem -- any help on what steps to perform and in what order would be greatly appreciated.

Here's my setup:

- Linksys BEFW11F4 v2 Router
- Desktop: Windows XP Pro SP2 running Windows Firewall
- Laptop same

I've tried turning the firewall on and off, doesn't make a difference. I've also checked the port forwarding on the router, seems to be correct. Any idea how I can trace this problem?

Thanks!!

Rob Williams

On the BEFW11S4, have you enabled port forwarding to your PC? If not you can find specific directions for your router at:
http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/Linksys/BEFW11S4/Remote_Desktop.htm

grsteed

Is your Port Forwarding set using TCP port 3389?

Gary

Kevin Cross

So you do have port forwarding turned on to send 3389 requests to the Desktop?

Also, the palces you are coming in from do they have router/firewall that could possibly be blocking Remote Desktop?

Saw this issue on a few machines myself while was logged in to VPN on router. Found there that I had to update the firmware and reset router. Not sure if something like that is happening here...

Kevin Cross

AH, you guys beat me to it...was rambling too much. :)

Kevin Cross

Nice post RobWill, if forwarding is setup properly already, it is most likely the "Block WAN Request" option that needs to be set...

KhalidJ

Connect to your network via VPN and then try RDP. Does it work?

xcromx

Go into your router and under applications and gaming add the port 3389 and forward it to 3389 and make you put in the IP Address

Next if you are running Windows firewall in XP then you have to add that port in the settings also..Real easy setup..

sounds like you router is blocking the port 3389..

Rob Williams

Thanks mwvisa1.
I don't think "Block WAN Request" option should have anything to do with it. That is just a security feature that should be enabled. It blocks ICMP (ping) requests.

Philly_C

ASKER

I'd already fixed the port forwarding option after reading a previous post by RobWill -- so that's done. Any other possibilities?

Philly_C

ASKER

To clarify -- the port forwarding was set correctly even before posting this question, and even with it set Remote Desktop still doesn't work from external sites. Anything else in the router that could be blocking it?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Rob Williams

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Philly_C

ASKER

That helped, showed the port wasn't showing. Ended up being a VOIP adapter between the modem and the router that I had forgotten about, and when removed it worked like a charm. Now to figure out why the adapter is blocking ports . . .

Thanks!

Rob Williams

Thanks Philly_C,
--Rob

Can the VoIP unit sit on the inside of the router or on the DMZ?