How do i set up Remote Desktop Connection in Windows XP

I heard some days back about Remote Desktop Connection, What is it and how it works ?

Let me first introduce what is exactly Remote Desktop Connection means.
It comes included with Windows XP Professional and enables you to connect to your computer across the Internet from virtually any computer, Pocket PC, or Smartphone. Once connected, Remote Desktop gives you mouse and keyboard control over your computer while showing you everything that's happening on the screen. With Remote Desktop, you can leave your computer at the office without losing access to your files, applications, and e-mail. Your sales force will be able to access the latest pricing sheet from on the road by using Remote Desktop in Windows XP Professional.

Is't it great !!

Now there are three things that you need to create Remote Connection:-

1. Microsoft Windows XP Professional must be installed on the computer containing the files and programs that you want to access from a remote computer. The computer must also be part of a corporate network in which Remote Desktop connections are permitted. This computer is known as the host.
2. The remote computer must be running Windows 95 or later. This computer must also have the Remote Desktop Connection client software installed. The remote computer is known as the client.
   
3. Both computers must be connected to the Internet through a VPN connection.If you're not connecting to the host computer through a VPN, you'll need to use the actual IP address of the host computer instead of the computer name.

Now to set up the Remote Desktop, start with the host computer..

1. Verify that you are signed in as the administrator.
   
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Performance and Maintenance.
   
3. Click System.
   
4. Click the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box, and then click OK
   
5. Next, make sure you have Windows Firewall set up to allow exceptions.
   
6. In the Control Panel, click Security Center.
   
7. Under Manage security settings for, click Windows Firewall.
   
8. Make sure the Don't allow exceptions check box is not selected.
   
9. Click the Exceptions tab, and verify that the Remote Desktop check box is selected.
   
10. Click OK, and then close the Windows Security Center window.
11. Your host computer is now set up to allow remote access.You will need the name of the host computer.
    
12. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Computer Name tab.
    
13. Write down the full computer name, and then click OK.
14. Close Control Panel.
    
15. Leave this computer running, locked, and connected to the corporate network with Internet access.

Now your Remote Desktop Connection set up is over.
To connect your computer to the host computer, follow this steps:-

1. On your home computer, click Start, point to All Programs, and then point to Accessories.
   
2. In the Accessories menu, point to Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
   
3. In the Computer box, type the computer name of your host computer, which you wrote down earlier.
4. Click Connect.
   
5. When the Log On to Windows dialog box appears, type your user name, password, and domain (if required), and then click OK.

The Remote Desktop window opens, and you see the desktop settings, files, and programs that are on your host computer, which in this example is your work computer. Your host computer remains locked, and nobody can access it without a password. In addition, no one will be able to see the work you are doing remotely


To end your Remote Desktop session:

Click Start, and then click Log Off at the bottom of the Start menu.

When prompted, click Log Off.



Thats All the Remote Desktop Connection is, Have Fun!!!!!!!!

To Setup of Remote Desktop Access on Windows XP Prof just go one by one of this steps:-

1. In the Control-Panel, select the System icon or right-click "My Computer" on the desktop and select Properties

2. Select the tab : Remote

Remote Desktop is NOT available for Windows XP Home Edition.By default, "Remote Desktop" is not activated.You need to be a user with Administrative rights to activate Remote Desktop !

3. Place the checkmark to activate, to allow users to connect remotely
to this computer.

You will get a warning message concerning the configuration of Internet Connection sharing and/or a personal firewall, which must be configured to allow such Remote Desktop connections.

You need to "Select Remote Users, the users, which will be allowed to use
Remote Desktop access to connect to your system.

Any users with Administrator permission will have automatically access permissions,other users will have to be added.

While you or somebody else is connecting via Remote Desktop,you can NOT use the system,the screen will display message advising that the system is in use.

Connecting from a Remote System :

You can use any 32-bit version of Windows to install / run the Client s/w for Remote Desktop :
Windows95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000 (The Remote Desktop Client s/w is installed by default already on Windows XP Home and Windows XP Prof). To install the Remote Desktop Client s/w, insert your Windows XP CD-ROM on the Client PC.

1. Do NOT select to install Windows XP, Select to "Perform additional tasks"

2. Select to "Set up Remote Desktop Connection"

3. Just run the rest of this setup.

Once the Remote Desktop Client s/w is installed, you can access it via the Windows Start-menu under Accessories / Communications / Remote Desktop Connection.

Enter the name or IP-address of the Windows XP Prof system, to which you like to connect.

You should look at the "Options >>" to adjust / optimize your Remote Desktop
connection.

Tab : General
You can enter here already the Username and password, to be used to connect to the Windows XP Prof. system.
To be able to re-use this information on later connections, you can save
this configuration values and reuse them via Open.

Tab : Display
If you are connection via a high-speed LAN network, you will not bother about this, but when connecting via a modem, you can optimize the connection and get a faster response-time by selecting a smaller Remote Desktop size and a lower Color resolution.

Tab : Local Resources
You can configure the transfer of Sound alerts and which of your local devices(from the remote system, where you are right now working on) will be accessible during your Remote Desktop session.

Tab : Experience
To help the Remote Desktop s/w to optimize the connection, select the
speed of your connection.

You should also de-select all "fancy" features , like : Wallpaper and any
animation, because they will only use transmission time.


Once the connection is properly configured, you are ready to Connect :

You may get this warning about the access from the Remote computer to
your local devices.

You will need to logon to your Windows XP-system.

And then you have control over the desktop of the Windows XP Prof. system.
To come back to the "access to Local devices" : open via Remote Desktop the Windows Explorer : It will show the drives for BOTH the Windows XP and the remote system :

Lets get introduced to Remote Desktop Connection...Its something..

When you are in the office or on a business trip, sometimes you may need to do something on your home computer: for example, view your electricity bill or read your email. Sometimes you may get sick and won't be able to leave your apartment, however the deadline is close and you need to finish the project, or die trying. Driving through the city to get access to your work PC when you have a high fever is not a really good idea.

That is when remote access software comes into play! With its help you will be able to see and work with the remote computer as if it is your own local machine. Distance does not matter any more!

Now the set up Process,Just follow these few steps and you will get the system to work:-

Go to the computer you want to control, it is a Host Computer. Install the Host Module (or both modules) of Remote Desktop Control product there. You may download the installation package right from our site onto that computer or ask somebody to do this task for you. Make sure that the Host Module is running on the remote PC.
Go to your own PC, it is Admin Computer. Download a setup package and install at least the Admin Module. The installation package is the same and contains admin and host modules together.
Start the Admin Module on your PC via the desktop shortcut or Start menu. Add the host computer IP address to the address book. In some cases you have to use Internet gateway.
Connect to the remote computer using the "Connect" button.
You may use "View Only" button to observe what is going on the remote PC.
Press the "Full Control" button and control the remote PC with your mouse and keyboard. Use "Remote Screen Window" which appears or switch to a full screen mode.