Remote Desktop stopped working

GWillow · 22 Nov 2010 at 08:39

Hi,

I've been remoting from my laptop (Windows 7 Home) into my main PC (Windows 7 pro) for a while now without any problems.

Recently it has just stopped working, telling me:

Remote desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons.

1) Remote access to the server is not enabled
2) The remote computer is turned off
3) The remote computer is not available on the network.

Make sure the remote computer is turned on and connected to the network, and the remote access is enabled.

I can still access directories on the main PC through the Homegroup so I know that it's connected to the network fine. I've tried disabling the Windows firewall and Comodo firewall on the main PC but still get the same issue.

I have installed Microsoft Office 2007 on the laptop recently but don't understand why that should affect anything.

Networking is not my thing so not sure where to look next.

Anyone any ideas?

SiriusB · 22 Nov 2010 at 10:28

Have you checked the RDP services are still running on your desktop?

cutchy2k · 22 Nov 2010 at 12:37

have you tried turning it off and on again?

cutchy2k · 22 Nov 2010 at 13:07

srsly tho, are u connecting to the right IP?

GWillow · 22 Nov 2010 at 13:38

I think the correct services are running

I've tried restarting these services as well as rebooting the PC (although it gets turned off every night).

I usually connect in via the machine but have used the IP instead and it sill doesn't work.

SiriusB · 22 Nov 2010 at 15:13

Are there any error messages in the desktop logs?

cutchy2k · 22 Nov 2010 at 16:10

did you turn off windows firewall or stop the service completely? (on both computers)

are the two computers on the same network?

are you using DHCP for IP addresses?
what are the computers IP's?
(don't need to know any public IP addresses)

Beerbaron · 22 Nov 2010 at 16:19

are you connecting to the pc from a remote location?

if so check:

port forwarding on the router is setup correct still
the forwarding ip address is the same on the pc as defined in the router
you have a static ip on the pc
your wan ip address hasnt changed
rdp is enabled on the pc
rdp not blocked by a firewall

GWillow · 23 Nov 2010 at 20:56

I have turned off (not stopped the service as I don't know which service to stop) the firewalls on both the laptop and the desktop to no avail.

Both machine are on the same network, connected via a Netgear DG834G. Their IP's are
192.168.0.4 (desktop) and 192.168.0.11 (laptop)

... oh wait...

I found if I go into the "Local Area Connection" network properties (on the desktop PC) and I untick the "COMODO Internet Security Firewall Driver" checkbox (see screenie) AND disable windows firewall on the desktop (comodo still enabled on desktop and windows firewall/comodo still enabled on laptop), then Remote Desktop starts working again.

cutchy2k · 24 Nov 2010 at 15:49

you can stop windows firewall service by:

start > run > services.msc

then right click and select stop on the service:
Windows Firewall
( ^ thats not exactly how its spelled but if it has those 2 words in disable it

)