Remote Desktop

This is a brief summary, and instructions on how to log in to a server from home.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@wilsonalvarez.com. For Microsoft’s web page visit:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx


What is Remote Desktop?

With Remote Desktop on Windows XP, or Vista, you can have access to a Windows session that is running on your computer when you are at another pc. This means, as an example, that you can connect to your work computer from home and have access to all of your applications, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you can see your desktop at work displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.

When you connect to your computer at work, Remote Desktop automatically locks that computer so no one else can access your applications and files while you are gone. When you come back to your computer at work, you can unlock it by typing CTRL+ALT+DEL, and re-log in.

Remote Desktop also allows more than one user to have active sessions on a single computer. This means that multiple users can leave their applications running and preserve the state of their Windows session even while others are logged on.

Hardware and software requirements

Your work (the host) computer must be running Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista. Your remote computer operating system should be Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP.

We recommend a fast internet connection such as cable modem or DSL. A regular modem connection will be too slow.

Instructions for installation

Hopefully you have Windows XP. The Remote Desktop software is pre-installed on your Windows XP system. If you have Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, you will need to do the following.

  1. Call me so I can upgrade you to Windows XP. J Smile…
  2. Download Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection (MSRDPCLI.EXE). This file approximately 4,000 kb in size
  3. Once the download is complete, open and run, or double-click on the MSRDPCLI.EXE file. The utility will install. It is a fairly simple installation.
  4. To open Remote Desktop Connection, go to your START button. Point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.

To open Remote Desktop Connection

  • click the Start button
  • point to All Programs
  • point to Accessories
  • point to Communications
  • click Remote Desktop Connection.

This will appear (in expanded view).

 

To connect to your office computer

  • type in your computer’s IP Address.  You can find out your work computers address by going towww.whatismyip.com. Type in that IP address.  If you would like to have your same IP address, contact me so we can setup a particular domain name for you to access your system. I.E., www.youripaddressname.com.  this is a simple way to connect to your system without having to worry about what your IP address is.
  • click on the Connect button
  • When it connects to the Windows XP, 2003 or 2000 Server, it will prompt you to enter your user name and password.

To log off and end the session

In the Remote Desktop Connection window

  • click Start
  • click Shut Down
  • the Shut Down Windows dialog box appears
  • click Log Off <username>
  • click OK

If the remote computer responds slowly

Try rebooting your remote computer.

While in your Remote Desktop Connection session:

  • select the Start button
  • select Windows Security
  • select Shutdown
  • select Reboot
  • click OK

This will disconnect your Remote Desktop Connection session and reboot the remote computer.