rDesktop can't access Windows 7

[CharlesA]

Try running nmap against that machine to make sure port 3389 is open.

[Steve H]

Try running nmap against that machine to make sure port 3389 is open.

nmap 192.168.0.102 -PN

Starting Nmap 5.00 ( http://nmap.org ) at 2010-09-25 15:57 BST
Interesting ports on 192.168.0.102:
Not shown: 995 filtered ports
PORT     STATE SERVICE
135/tcp  open  msrpc
139/tcp  open  netbios-ssn
445/tcp  open  microsoft-ds
2869/tcp open  unknown
5357/tcp open  unknown

Looks like the port isn't open...I did notice that the Terminal Service service wasn't running on the Vista machine. That's now running.


ADDITION
SORTED. I hadn't started the service, I'd set Terminal Services to Auto, but not actually started it!! FACE PALM!!

[CharlesA]

Try the nmap scan again and see if port 3389 is open now.

[R.Bucky]

It is my understanding that RDP is not enabled in W7 if you do not have the Professional or above version, similar to XP. In that case, you will need to run VNC server on the W7 box.

Alternatively, your router will need to have the proper configuration in the Port Forward settings to your network. Double check the LAN address and use that instead of the host name.

[CharlesA]

It is my understanding that RDP is not enabled in W7 if you do not have the Professional or above version, similar to XP. In that case, you will need to run VNC server on the W7 box.

Correct. The "Home" versions don't include RDP.

You don't need to deal with port forwarding unless you want to connect from outside your local network.

@Steve H: I checked a clean install of Vista Ultimate x64. All I did was enable remote desktop and I was able to connect from the same LAN using rdesktop without any problems.

It definitely sounds like a firewall problem.

[Steve H]

I've got it sorted now, it was Terminal Services set to "Disabled" on Vista. I set to "Auto" and started the service BINGO!! I could connect via RDP.

However that threw up the problem that RDP locked the screen of the Vista machine when I logged in remotely, which is no use to me. I really needed to "remote control" the Vista system as it's my Media Centre PC, which doesn't have a kb or mouse and sometimes needs a restart.

So in the end I installed UltraVNC Server on the Vista box and now I've got it all working.

I can control the Vista system without it locking the desktop while being controlled.Sweet!

Thanks for the help folks

[Maddmaxx]

There is more to it than that, at least in my experience, with 3 windows 7 ultimate boxes, an Ubuntu 11.10 box and a MacbookPro. El MacBookPro has the ability to handle 128 bit encryption for the remote session with it's default client, but I have yet to find an Ubuntu solution.

So far the only solution for Ubuntu that I know of is to allow the lesser level of encryption, (a setting in W7 professional or higher I believe). I wouldn't recommend it if you're opening up port 3389 to that system though. Keep your security settings for any servers to the max for all systems if at all possible.

Maybe someone with more humanity knowhow can weigh in...

Cheers!