[kelly2217]

Hi there,

I am trying to access a company's computer system and it is not letting me in. I followed their instructions to the tee but something on my end isn't properly working.

First, I set up the VPN for the company on my home computer - which worked just great, I can connect to that. But then they want me to use the Remote Desktop Connection to access their desktop that I need to do work. This is the error I receive:

Remote Desktop Disconnected
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.

Well - needless to say, I have been trying to connect to this company's computer for a couple of days now. Also, when I e-mailed them and told them the problem I was having, they replied with "They are not tech people" and I should find help on my own. That's why I am here. They also informed me that other people were getting into the system without a problem, and that's why I believe the problem is on my end.

I don't know if this makes a difference at all, but I am running windows XP and I do not have any security on when I try to make the connection.

Please help! THANK YOU!
Kelly

[Scleros]

Can you post their instructions? Note: Don't post addresses etc. that could potentially compromise their security by allowing anyone reading access.

First thing to confirm is firewall is not blocking, either Windows own or the security suite's. Then try to verify basic connectivity to the target computer once VPN is up with PING or TRACERT commands from a command prompt. Your network adapter settings may also need to be reviewed so that the Remote Desktop traffic is getting VPN'd instead of it getting sent out your Internet connection un-VPN'd. Then using the correct username and password within Remote Desktop itself is necessary.

[kelly2217]

Hi there Scleros-
I have already figured out the problem via another expert site - I am not sure why the direct log on is not working - but if I type in the IP address, it lets me in...

Thank you for responding!
Kelly

[chuckhole]

Hi there Scleros-
I have already figured out the problem via another expert site - I am not sure why the direct log on is not working - but if I type in the IP address, it lets me in....

Thank you for responding!
Kelly

You are not getting name resolution. Your VPN Connection is not receiving the DNS information from your office network.

[kelly2217]

Hey chuckhole-

So, if I get the VPN connection to receive the DNS information from my office network, then I could log in using the actually name log on and not just the IP? How would I go about this?

Thanks,
Kelly

[chuckhole]

Hey chuckhole-

So, if I get the VPN connection to receive the DNS information from my office network, then I could log in using the actually name log on and not just the IP? How would I go about this?

Thanks,
Kelly

Your VPN device that you are connecting to would have to relay the DNS server information to you. Many VPN devices on the market have the following characteristics:

1) Security - user authentication is performed with an internal list of names and passwords or an outside authentication authority is used such as Active Directory via a connection such as Internet Authentication Services.

2) DHCP - IP addresses are provided from an internal pool of addresses or an external DHCP server. Along with the IP address, other information can be relayed to the VPN client such as DNS Server address. The internal or external DHCP server would have to be configured for this.

3) Quarantine - some devices will send a VPN Client to a quarantine server until all update conditions are met. These could include OS updates, Anti-virus updates, critical software updates, etc.

Some VPN devices will also block Local LAN access as a security precaution. While you are connected to your corporate network, access to your own network may be blocked. Once your VPN connection is terminated, access to your Local LAN is restored. The main reason for this is to block unsecure and unfiltered Internet access points from contaminating the network with Spyware, Malware and Viruses.