Re: Unable to connect to WinXP machine

On Wednesday 15 Dec 2010, Carmel wrote:
> This is my first time using "rdesktop". I have the program installed on
> a FreeBSD-8.2 / amd 64 system. I installed it via the FreeBSD ports
> system.
>
> I am attempting to connect to either of two Windows based machines on
> my local network. This is really a trail run I suppose. One machine
> runs WinXP and the other has Vista installed. Both machines are
> completely up-to-date.
>
> Machine one has ZoneAlarm installed as the firewall if that matters. I
> apparently cannot connect to either machine successfully.
>
> WinXP
> Connecting as regular user:
> $ rdesktop -f 192.168.1.102
> ERROR: 192.168.1.102: unable to connect
>
> As root:
> # rdesktop -u USERNAME -p PASSWORD -f 192.168.1.102
> WARNING: Remote desktop does not support colour depth 24; falling back to
> 16 ERROR: recv: Connection reset by peer

This is set on the Windows box, but colour depth 16 is the standard for rdp, 
and shouldn't cause a problem - you can either change the Windows box to 
allow color depth 24, or add color depth 16 to the rdesktop command line (-a 
16 from memory), or just ignore the error.

> Now, when I actually try the second method, the WinXP machine does a
> new log-in. I have to manually enter my username and password on the
> WinXP screen to access the PC. Once in, the message above appears on the
> FreeBSD screen and that is that. I cannot fathom why I have to log-in
> on the WinXP machine.

Is the WinXP machine authenticating via ActiveDirectory, if so you would also 
need to supply the -d domain.

> When I attempt to access the Vista machine, a quick flash appears on the
> screen of the FreeBSD machine and then the regular prompt returns. The
> Vista machine is running AVG AV/Firewall software.

I have never touched Vista, so I don't know what this might be - I suppose it 
could be ActiveDirectory again?

> I have, or at least I think I have port 3389 open on all of the
> machines.
>
> There is no notification on wither of the Windows machines that I am
> attempting to access them remotely. I believe that I have correctly
> configured both machines for remote access. They have been accessed
> remo

Have you looked in the Windows event log on each machine?

> I am at a total loss as to what i am doing wrong, although it is
> probably something extremely simple. My goal is to run the WinXP
> machine headless at some point in the future and access it via rdesktop
> if that is possible. At present, I would just like to be able to
> remotely access it via my FreeBSD machine.

I have every confidence that it will work with a little persistence, I've 
certainly never had an issue in connecting to WinXP and Server 2003 machines.

Let us know how you get on.

-- 
Chris Roberts

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