Remote Desktop Connection

zhetto2004

New Member
Hi there,

I currently have 2 computers that I want to network. I would like to be able to work on my main computer (The Laptop) and I would like to be able to access the other computer. I have tried the remote desktop connection program but it can't find the other computer. It gives me an erro that the computer might not be turned on or on the same network. I only have acces to one internet account and both computers have internet. The desktop is connected via cable going to the wireless router then to the service providers modem and the laptop is wireless. Both computers have windows 7 as well.

If you have any ideas on why or if you know a better way that does not need to buy expensive modems I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions.
 
So both computers are plugged into the same hub? Or likewise, one is plugged in and the other is wireless?

They need to be able to ping each other. Open a command prompt, type "ping 192.168.1.1" (i.e. for example, an example IP address, without the quote marks) and press enter.

To find the ip address of each computer you use the command "ipconfig" That will then display the IP address and a few other settings of the computer.

I've never used Windows 7 so don't know the exact method for opening command prompt but on earlier versions of Windows you could either type "CMD" into the run menu and that would open it or you could click on the icon in the Accessories branch of the start menu.

The other two things are that both computers need to have remote desktop enabled. And the Firewall on each computer must allow the access.

So to summerise:

1. ping - means they can both see each other if you get a reply on each computer.

2. Firewalls need to be configured so they don't block the RDP service

3. RDP service needs to be enabled on the machine you want to access.
 
The best tip you may get yet, lolz, go to Google (or Bing, if you prefer) and search: how to access files on another computer on my network Windows 7.
Seriously. There are many ways to do what you're asking. I would probably forget about what homeboy above me said. It's never been that complicated for me.

What I always do is just enable "File Sharing".

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/share.mspx
That's a Windows XP example.

This is an interesting video from the Microsoft website. Basically the same thing, but for your Windows 7.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-files-with-someone
 
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On the computer you want to access, go to "Computer" right click and go to "Properties", then go to "Remote", and click "Allow remote connections".
 
Im guessing that they are in the same home or business. It shouldn't be hard from here. Create a workgroup, and give every computer a specific name like grandpa, dodge or grandchildren. what ever. then click on a drive letter and right click share. I don't think it should be a problem within the net work. Its on the lan side that can be the problem with ftp or remote. before ya start disable the software firewall on all computers. then do as mentioned. when it works then start the software firewall and if issue then then know where its at. the firewall can be configured to pass afterword if needed.
'F1' workgroup' will get ya started from desktop to configure.
just another adventure.......one time.
 
Guys, don't forget that by default Windows disables remote connections. Chances are doing what I said earlier will fix the issue.
 
If the OP just wants to access the other computer, and create a network; why not just enable File Share, and then access all the files on the other computer that way? Why go through Remote Desktop?
 
There are many ways to skin the same cat.

With some respect for the original poster I have given him what I know to help him solve the problem he wanted to solve. I have not tried to give him an answer to a question he has not asked just because I think he might be too stupid to know what he wants.

There are other ways to share data between two computers other than to use RDP to connect to one primary computer. But that's not the question he was asking.

By default later versions of Windows are much more difficult when it comes to simple networking. That started around the time Windows XP SP1 came out IIRC. Up until then it was just a case of each computer being identifiable on the network and that was the end of it. After XP SP1 you have to enable file sharing rather than everything being open by default.
 
There's a similar post doing the rounds. No need to use anything special. As several have indicated, give each PC a different name and the same Workgroup name and that's about it. Set up which folders you want to share on each PC and you should be able to access via Explorer / My Network Places / Entire Network / Microsoft Windows Network. You can make shortcuts for easier access.

As far as I can tell, the Windows Network uses computer names in the same Workgroup to set up the connection and that's all that needs to be done.
 
With all due respect. He is not asking about shares. He is asking about RDP. There are other reasons why you would want RDP rather than shares. Two of those would be access to software only installed on one of the two computers and RDP is also accessible from more than one type of operating system... even if you had the licenses to install all the same software on both computers you might not be able to for compatibility reasons. Don't forget, even something as basic as Windows 98 will run the RDP client.
 
With all due respect. He is not asking about shares. He is asking about RDP.
Many people don't realize that RDP is not necessary to gain access to another PC on the network. Remote access apps give you control in addition. I never assume the question being asked is the whole story.
 
Not sure why everyone is getting side tracked on this question. Bottom line, establish connection between system first as mentioned by a previous poster. Type "cmd" into the search box in the start menu> will open a black window> type ping 192.... or ping nameofdesktop> if it is successful, find a my computer icon>right click on it>when the window opens>select remote on the left side> once the window opens, select "accept connections from and version of remote...">select ok and close all open windows>next, type "mstsc" in the start men search box (as u did for the cmd command)> the remote desktop connection window will open, type the name of the computer and if all goes well u should be able to connect. If this doesnt get where you need to be, let us know what part fails.
NOTE: you must have username and password to be able to connect, if you dont have a password you will need to create one, otherwise you cant use rdp.

Hope this helps,
 
i tend to use rdp more often than other apps only because I know rdp is on every windows computer and using a tool like vnc is not always an option. For me, I use rdp internally and externally. When im at home and want to access my office computer I use my laptop to RDP, this allows me to easily disconnect from my laptop and not lose any data. Or say if my laptop battery dies, i can simply walk into the office and pickup where i left off.

Externally, rdp works on port 3389. RDP is also encrypted (atleast newer versions). So what you can do is port forwarding through your router, so basically i have a domain name that forwards to my external IP address. So in the address section of the rdp window i type www.mydomain.com:2550 (some random port that i choose). Then i program the router to forward anything that comes in on 2550 to some internal address (the computer i want to connect to) on port 3389, which is the listening port for rdp. You can change the actual listening port in the registry but i dont advise doing that, just do all the magic within your router, if you have the capabilities. Atleast doing it this way wont allow someone to just connect on the standard port if they know your IP, they will need to know the connection port (you decide can be 2-6 digits, like a pin number). If you need more clarification you can PM me.
 
I used to use RDP ALL the time. When installing many, many desktops or servers I would always enable it. I had a whole custom menu setup on my workstation just for accessing preconfigured RDP shortcuts for accessing many many servers and desktops. It is by far and away the best remote access tool for use in a Windows enviroment. Essentially the desktop runs on the local computer and it is just passing KVM to the system you are controlling. It shows as a session on the remote computer but it isn't the same as VNC etc. Much faster than that. You aren't in direct control of the console session but 9 times out of 10 you don't need direct control of the console as just having access to the apps and configruation on a parallel desktop is enough to do most things.
 
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