Remotely connecting to an XP Pro SP3 system that is locked..

On 08/22/2009 03:01 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
> sefs wrote:
>> Is it possible to connect to an XP Pro SP3 system that is locked
>> instead of logged off?
>>
>> When it is logged off by using the start button log off feature,
>> all is well and works as expected.
>>
>> The problem is when the system is locked. When I remote in, I get
>> the log in screen, I log in as usual but am immediately
>> disconnected. Not too sure why this is happening.
>>
>> Is there a way to remotely connect to a locked desktop via rdp?
>
> When you connect to the remote desktop, the screen *is* locked on the
> physical side. So not only is it possible - it does it every time you
> connect.
>
> Update the video card driver and network driver on the remote system (while
> sitting physically at it.) Also ensure you have all other updates
> installed.
>

Hi,

I did not understand your explanation, but I went ahead anyway and
installed the latest drivers for both video card and network adapter.

These were the test I carried out.

Test #1 - Logged out of workstation
-------------------------------------
Was able to use rdp to reach login prompt and log in as target user and
use the desktop remotely


Test #2 - Locked desktop/workstation (as opposed to actually logging off)
---------------------------------------
Was able to get to the login prompt. Tried to log in as the target user
who left the desktop locked. The desktop appears for a couple of
seconds and immediately disconnects. Result: same as before.


My question is can rdp actually connect to a running locked
workstation/desktop/session.

Thanks.

sefs wrote:
> On 08/22/2009 03:01 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
>> sefs wrote:
>>> Is it possible to connect to an XP Pro SP3 system that is locked
>>> instead of logged off?
>>>
>>> When it is logged off by using the start button log off feature,
>>> all is well and works as expected.
>>>
>>> The problem is when the system is locked. When I remote in, I get
>>> the log in screen, I log in as usual but am immediately
>>> disconnected. Not too sure why this is happening.
>>>
>>> Is there a way to remotely connect to a locked desktop via rdp?
>>
>> When you connect to the remote desktop, the screen *is* locked on
>> the physical side. So not only is it possible - it does it every
>> time you connect.
>>
>> Update the video card driver and network driver on the remote
>> system (while sitting physically at it.) Also ensure you have all
>> other updates installed.
>>
>
> Hi,
>
> I did not understand your explanation, but I went ahead anyway and
> installed the latest drivers for both video card and network
> adapter.
>
> These were the test I carried out.
>
> Test #1 - Logged out of workstation
> -------------------------------------
> Was able to use rdp to reach login prompt and log in as target user
> and use the desktop remotely
>
>
> Test #2 - Locked desktop/workstation (as opposed to actually
> logging off) ---------------------------------------
> Was able to get to the login prompt. Tried to log in as the target
> user who left the desktop locked. The desktop appears for a couple
> of seconds and immediately disconnects. Result: same as before.
>
>
> My question is can rdp actually connect to a running locked
> workstation/desktop/session.


Yes.

You can connect to a system that is in use and/or locked and continue a
session.

Like I said - as soon as you connect to a desktop remotely - that machine is
in use *and* locked as far as anyone sitting at it locally is concerned.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On 08/22/2009 09:42 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
> sefs wrote:
>> On 08/22/2009 03:01 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
>>> sefs wrote:
>>>> Is it possible to connect to an XP Pro SP3 system that is locked
>>>> instead of logged off?
>>>>
>>>> When it is logged off by using the start button log off feature,
>>>> all is well and works as expected.
>>>>
>>>> The problem is when the system is locked. When I remote in, I get
>>>> the log in screen, I log in as usual but am immediately
>>>> disconnected. Not too sure why this is happening.
>>>>
>>>> Is there a way to remotely connect to a locked desktop via rdp?
>>>
>>> When you connect to the remote desktop, the screen *is* locked on
>>> the physical side. So not only is it possible - it does it every
>>> time you connect.
>>>
>>> Update the video card driver and network driver on the remote
>>> system (while sitting physically at it.) Also ensure you have all
>>> other updates installed.
>>>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I did not understand your explanation, but I went ahead anyway and
>> installed the latest drivers for both video card and network
>> adapter.
>>
>> These were the test I carried out.
>>
>> Test #1 - Logged out of workstation
>> -------------------------------------
>> Was able to use rdp to reach login prompt and log in as target user
>> and use the desktop remotely
>>
>>
>> Test #2 - Locked desktop/workstation (as opposed to actually
>> logging off) ---------------------------------------
>> Was able to get to the login prompt. Tried to log in as the target
>> user who left the desktop locked. The desktop appears for a couple
>> of seconds and immediately disconnects. Result: same as before.
>>
>>
>> My question is can rdp actually connect to a running locked
>> workstation/desktop/session.
>
>
> Yes.
>
> You can connect to a system that is in use and/or locked and continue a
> session.
>
> Like I said - as soon as you connect to a desktop remotely - that machine is
> in use *and* locked as far as anyone sitting at it locally is concerned.
>

Ok can you explain to me how i may connect to a "locked" station
remotely...i.e one that is locked and not logged off.

Thanks.

sefs wrote:
> Ok can you explain to me how i may connect to a "locked" station
> remotely...i.e one that is locked and not logged off.
>
> Thanks.

There is nothing different when you connect to a locked PC, freshly rebooted
PC, etc (using Windows Remote Desktop.)

If your system is giving you trouble - it is a problem with the specific
setup/machine - since I know of many people who do what you cannot daily.

If you updated the drivers on the remote system and it did not fix it - you
might try:

Create and try a different/new user account (either in the administrators
group or at least the Remote Desktop Users group...)

Not working - replace as few of the RDP files...

http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=963038

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On 08/22/2009 10:19 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
> sefs wrote:
>> Ok can you explain to me how i may connect to a "locked" station
>> remotely...i.e one that is locked and not logged off.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> There is nothing different when you connect to a locked PC, freshly rebooted
> PC, etc (using Windows Remote Desktop.)
>
> If your system is giving you trouble - it is a problem with the specific
> setup/machine - since I know of many people who do what you cannot daily.
>
> If you updated the drivers on the remote system and it did not fix it - you
> might try:
>
> Create and try a different/new user account (either in the administrators
> group or at least the Remote Desktop Users group...)
>
> Not working - replace as few of the RDP files...
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=963038
>

Success. It was the way i was locking the computer.

I had created a shortcut icon to lock the computer, because I could not
find it in crtl+alt+del. This was causing problems.

A little research on locking showed that I can disable the welcome
screen and fast user switching in the user accounts applet which will
bring back the lock workstation button to crtl+alt+del.

On doing this...I can now remote to and use a locked workstation.

Thanks.

On 08/22/2009 10:19 PM, Shenan Stanley wrote:
> sefs wrote:
>> Ok can you explain to me how i may connect to a "locked" station
>> remotely...i.e one that is locked and not logged off.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> There is nothing different when you connect to a locked PC, freshly rebooted
> PC, etc (using Windows Remote Desktop.)
>
> If your system is giving you trouble - it is a problem with the specific
> setup/machine - since I know of many people who do what you cannot daily.
>
> If you updated the drivers on the remote system and it did not fix it - you
> might try:
>
> Create and try a different/new user account (either in the administrators
> group or at least the Remote Desktop Users group...)
>
> Not working - replace as few of the RDP files...
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=963038
>

I realise I can do the same thing with WINDOWS_KEY+L without disabling
the welcome screen and fast user switching.