Office Computer Setup (or machine you want to connect to)
Find out your IP address:
You need to know the IP address of the computer you want to connect to via remote desktop. On the computer you want to find the IP address of (probably your office system), do the following:
1. Go to Start> and click Run.
2. Type cmd when the Run box pops up and click OK.
3. Once you get the DOS prompt type ipconfig /all
4. You will see the IP Address that is assigned to your computer.
Check Your Firewall Settings:
If the Windows XP firewall is enabled on your computer, you need to make sure to check that remote desktkop is checked to pass through it. If you use another firewall product, you must make sure that access to port 3389 (or if access is needed from off-campus, use port 3489 -- see the section on Setting up Ports) via TCP is allowed. Following are the steps for enabling remote desktop if you are using the Windows XP firewall.
1. Go to Start and right click on My Network Places and click on Properties .
2. Right click on Local Area Connection and go to Properties
. 
3. Click on Advanced and make sure that Internet Connection Firewall is checked, then click on Settings.
Note:If you are using Windows XP Service Pack 2, then refer to this page for slightly different screenshots.
4. On Services check Remote Desktop then click OK.
Enable Remote Desktop Access:
Once you have done that you need to enable the Remote Desktop. In order to do that following steps are necessary.
1. Go to Start and right click on My Computer and go to Properties.
2. Click on Remote and check Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop.
3. Once you check that box the following message will appear. Since we have already enabled the remote connection, just click OK.
4. Click OK.
Setting Up Remote Desktop Ports:
NOTE: You'll need to make sure that you use Port 3489 instead of the default Port 3389 in order to Remote Desktop into any ME Machine from off campus. You'll also need to submit a request to Computer Support to have OIT allow remote desktop access to your machine from outside of the ME firewall.
(NOTE: If you are located in the MARC building, please use this form.)
If you use another firewall product (such as ZoneAlarm or Linksys router), you must make sure that access to port 3489 via TCP is allowed. To do this, please read the following:
1. If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2, go to Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Firewall. Then click on the Exceptions Tab. Click on "Add Port...". Otherwise, you'll need to contact the ME Computer Support at 404-894-7193. 
2. Type the name as "Remote Desktop Alternate port" and put in the port number "3489". The option for TCP should also be checked. Then click on "Change scope...". 
3. Make sure that the scope of "Any Computer" is checked. 
4. Click OK to each window, which will save these settings. Go ahead and close Control Panel. Now you'll need to change the default port in the Registry. To do this, go to Start -> Run. 
5. Type "regedit" in the command prompt. Click OK. 
6. This should bring the Registry Editor up. You'll need to browse through to several different directories, so please make sure you're at the correct step before continuing. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> System -> CurrentControlSet -> Control 
7. You'll need to scroll down a little of the left panel to find the next directory. Continue browsing to TerminalServer -> WinStations -> RDP-Tcp. Then click on PortNumber on the right pane. 
8. Then go to Edit -> Modify. 
9. Click the Decimal Option and then change the port number listed on the left to "3489". Then click OK. 
10. Close the Registry Editor and your port settings. Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect. Port Request
If you have not done so already, or remote access was not configured when the firewall was first installed, be sure to fill out the Firewall Change Request Form requesting access to your IP Address on port 3489 from off campus.
When you email us the Firewall Change Request Form, you will need to also email us a copy of the ports that are currently listening on your computer. One method of doing this is to use Microsoft's TCPView software. You can use this software to save the information to a text file. Alternatively, you'll need to do the following:
1. Go to Start -> Run.
When filling out this form, the Destination IP will be your office computer (ie. the computer you want to remote desktop into). The Source IP should be the computer that will be accessing the office machine. If you are using DHCP at home (such as the GT LAWN) and your IP changes, then you will want to make the Source IP the world.
(NOTE: If you are located in the MARC building, please use this form.)
Return this to the computer.support@me.gatech.edu. We are also located at MRDC 2103.
Remote Machine Setup
NOTE: Since remote desktop takes control of the machine that you remotely connect, whenever you make changes on your office machine from home it will automatically change on your office computer when you log in the next time.1. Go to Start --> Accessories --> Communication and click Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Click on Options.
3. Type the IP address:3489 of your office computer. Also, type your username, password and domain of your office computer if it is on a domain (example: ME_ADMIN).
NOTE: You'll need to have your IP Address followed by :3489 in order to successfully remote desktop to your Office Computer. If you have not yet changed your Port on your Office computer, please see the steps above under Setting Up Remote Desktop Ports.
4. If you do not want sound click Local Resources and scroll down the Remote Computer Sound menu and choose Do not play. If you want to be able to copy files from your remote desktop hard drive to your local hard drive, check Disk Drive.
5. Click on Experience and scroll down menu from Performance to choose your computer connection speed. To get the best speed performance you should choose Modem (28kbps or 56kbps).
If you choose a different connection speed, such as LAN, your screen will look something like these:
You will remotely connect to the office computer from home or vice versa.
6. If you would like to create a shortcut of the connection on your desktop go to General again and click on Save As. You can use this shortcut to connect without modifying the settings each time you connect remotely.
7. Type the File name and choose the Desktop directory or any location where you want to create the shortcut. Click on Save and the shortcut will be created on the desktop or the location that you chose.
Logging out vs. closing the remote desktop window:
- If you choose to log out of the machine you are connected to you will actually be logging out of the remote machine. Programs running on the remote machine will close.
- If you just close the remote desktop window, the remote machine will remain logged in at the state you left it until the next time you log in remotely or at the machine. i.e. programs running will still be running.
Troubleshooting
Try this command at a command prompt on the client machine:telnet remoteIPmachineaddress 3489
where remoteIPmachineaddress is your office machine IP address.
If the command window goes blank with just a flashing underscore then you are connecting like you should be.
If you get "Could not open connection to the host, on port 3489: Connect failed" then something is not set up right or a firewall is blocking access. It could be a firewall at the GT border, or it could be a firewall on your desktop.
Recheck the firewall settings on your office computer and also to make sure that remote desktop is turned on.
If the telnet test above does not work remotely, try it on another machine at the office. If it does, then try connecting to your office machine from another computer in your office to see if it works. That will help determine if it's a problem with your office machine, a border firewall, or a client problem.
For further assistance, contact ME computer support at