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Connection Manager on Compaq T20 thin client

I bought a used T20 thin and am trying to make a connection to the internet through a switch but it appears the unit is only setup for a terminal server (i think)... the only options that I see available are ICA, RDP or Terminal. No Internet Explorer like the manual has in it.

Am I going to be able to just plug this into a switch and setup a Internet Explorer? -R-

Cláudio Rodrigues

It depends on which OS the thin client has. Is this Linux, Windows CE or XP Embedded? Many manufacturers will post on their websites some packages you can install on your thin client (like Firefox for example). This may be the case with this particular model. Or even a new firmware that has extra software on it (like a browser). The one thing to keep in mind is these usually have limited 'disk space' (as it is a flash memory) and these packages may not fit on your particular one.

Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP

RWayneH

ASKER

Ok thanks for the info. Is there a way to put something on this so I can access the internet? I have unused WinCE disk. All I want to do is get it to access the internet. The switch that I have it plugged into should be enough. All the rest of the devices plugged into it can get out to the net just fine.

How do I overwrite what is on it? I actually prefer linux (ubuntu) if I could get that or something like to on there, it would be great.

Please advise and thanks. -R-

Cláudio Rodrigues

There is no easy (meaning official) way to do this. Some thin clients would have a Disk on Module inside them (basically a flash memory with an IDE connector). If that is the case you could take that off, install on a PC and then load anything on it. The problem is these are usually small (32 or 64MB). I do not think any Linux OS with a browser would actually fit on that.
Windows CE has an Internet Explorer for it but if the manufacturer did not add it I doubt it will be available for you to install it. Plus it is a very poor implementation of IE.
As you realize these are thin clients that are supposed to work connecting to a server (or XP Pro PC) and not really running on their own with locally installed apps.
So short story is, unless you do use it as a thin client there is nothing else you can do.

Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP

RWayneH

ASKER

I have an installation of Enterprise Server 2003. Can/how could I use that to connection to the thin client? Or I have numerous XP installations on the same network segment... Just not sure how to approach making a connection to the thin client or which one would be easiest to do. I believe an XP install allows for one terminal server connection per but not for sure. Very new to this sort of setup.

I did however state that I prefer a linux ubuntu install and would love to put that on this. Thanks for your console thus far. -R-

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Cláudio Rodrigues

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RWayneH

ASKER

Sorry will this also work on a Vista box? -R-

Cláudio Rodrigues

Yes it will. The procedure to enable Remote Desktop on Vista is a little bit different.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/turn-on-remote-desktop-in-windows-vista/

Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP

RWayneH

ASKER

Thanks!!! I connected.... One last question. If a device is setup for RDP... can I connect to it? What I mean is the thin client has the Connection manager. I added a number of connections now (thanks to you).

Is there a way to launch the same sort of connection wizard to run RDP on a std XP box? -R-

Cláudio Rodrigues

If a machine was set to allow RDP connections (like the Vista box) it will accept a connection from your thin client terminal. Windows XP Pro allows that but not Home.
If you want to connect FROM a Windows machine to another Windows machine simply run MSTSC.EXE on the PC you are and then type the IP address of the remote PC and you will connect to it like you did with the thin client.

Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP

RWayneH

ASKER

Thanks for the help. -R-