Remote Desktop not connecting off LAN

I have been reading these forums for months now, but this is my first post so please bear with me.

I have got Remote Desktop to work within my LAN (using 192.168.x.x) between my Vista Business laptop and my XP pro Desktop with either computer acting as client or host on separate occasions. I cannot, however, successfully get RD to work via my public IP address.

I have forwarded the RD port on my Belkin router as per the instructions at portforward . com (3389, done once for TCP and again for UDP-no option for both in this router). I only forwarded the port to the desktop, the one I want to act as host.

I then setup my desktop with no-ip to publish my address--no success with connection attempts. I then setup my router with DynDNS (as it natively has the option to publish my address with that site)--still yielding no success.

In Remote desktop whenever I type in any one of my addresses (IP or published DDNS): 76.189.xxx.xxx, xxxcomputer.no-ip.org, xxxcomputer.dontexist.com, I get the same error message:

"This computer can't connect to the remote computer.

Try connecting again. If the problem continues, contact the owner of the remote computer or your network administrator. "

I have double checked that within the Windows firewall there is an exception for remote desktop, and have also tried disabling the firewall, both in Windows and on my router.

I still receive this error message weather I am connected via LAN and trying to connect via my public IP, or if I am 30 miles away and trying to connect via public IP/Domain name. Even with all firewalls turned off and the ports forwarded I get the same error message listed above

Any help is greatly appreciated at this point.

 

Explain you whole network layout naming every connection and appliance from the street to your computer.
Make and model numbers too.
DSL?
Cable?
T1?

 

From both sites I am using cable internet (service by WOW at laptop site [remote] which modem is Scientific Atlanta's Webstar, model number DPX100, and by Time Warner at another site with a motorola modem (I can check the model number in a day or two when I get there)).

I have tried using each site as host and client (having multiple computers at each site) but can only get the RD LAN connection to work (using local IP).

At each site I am behind a Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router: model-F5D8230-4, with firmware version- 1.01.03.

So what I'm using now is:

Laptop (Vista-Business)-Belkin Router - Webstar Modem- 30 miles away....-Motorola Modem - Belkin Router - XP Pro Dekstop


I hope this supplies all the info. Let me know if there's anything else.

Thank's Scott

 

Hi Vik

To test port forwarding use another (would work from same computer you wish to connect to but better another one) computer and do the following to the computer that you want to connect with.

go to mywanip.com get you public wan ip

first ping you dynamic ip by name
ping mywanip:3389

then
ping actual wan public ip:3389

let me know what happens

If you want to PM me the IP and NAME I will test it from here. But do not post these in the thread.

Mike

 

The reason I asked about the equipment was because I was wondering if your connection was going through 2 NATs on one end but it looks like your good.

 

Thanks Scott.

Hi mflynn,
I am away from my computer until Tuesday but I will definitely check the ping for both the public IP and the domain name for that IP when I get to my apartment.

(I should just run command prompt and type "ping mywanip:3389" for the domain name and "ping xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:3389" for the public IP and report each, right??)

Is that all I should plan on?

Thank you,

-Vik

 

Yes it but would be a better idea to do it while away from home if you can get to a computer! You do want to come from the outside in to your computer correct!

Do it now if you can and post results so I will have it when you get home!

Can be done from any computer that has internet.

Mike

 

I sent my results. Thanks Mike


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Vikram>ping xx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Pinging xx.xxx.xxx.xxx with 32 bytes of data:

Ping statistics for xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 36ms, Maximum = 58ms, Average = 44ms

C:\Users\Vikram>ping vikcomputer.no-ip.org

Pinging xxxxxxxxxxx.xx-xx.xxx [xx.xxx.xxx.xxx] with 32 bytes of data:

Ping statistics for xx.xxx.xxx.xxx:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 37ms, Maximum = 55ms, Average = 43ms

C:\Users\Vikram>

 

Ok I got PM with the IP and it does ping the IP and port 3389 is open.

The issue will be on the host PC, RDP is not active!

Get back when you get home!

Mike

 

Allright Vik

The ping 1st returned from your IP and Domain name!

Then it got to the PC and found port 3389.

This means of course that it got all the way to your PC but there was no RDP to accept the connection.

Aw Craap! Is your OS XP Home?

If so RDP is not installed by default, not just default but M$ don't want you running recieving RDP. You can go out with RDP on Home but not host!

BUT! Not to worry there hacks for that!

So it can be done!

Let me know if Home and I will post the fix. If XP Pro then something else!

Mike

 

OK me dummy I reread it is Vista and XP Pro!

Mike

 

Personally, I would never open up the RDP ports through the router/NAT/firewall. Why would you want to make it so easy for anyone on the internet to access your desktop with only your normal login name and password between them and total control of your PC.

If you want remote desktop connection, connect to your network via a VPN. VPN consist of an encrypted and authenticated tunnel through the internet. Once you have a VPN connection, you'll then be able to use RDP over the VPN to get remote desktop.

If you don't want to go to the trouble of setting up a VPN, then use one of the dedicated service that will provide you with a secure way to get a remote desktop. For example, logmein.