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WizOSX · Oct 6, 2005, 04:32 PM

I've tried everything that Apple and Microsoft suggest to get RDC running to allow me to run my Win XP machine from my Mac. Nothing seems to work. In frustration, and to reduce the variables, I just connected the PC directly to the Mac (Ethernet to Ethernet). The check box in Windows for allowing Windows to be seen by other computers is on, the name of the computer is 9hiaw9... which I enter into the box in RDC on the Mac. Supposedly that's all you have to do but it won't work. Am I an idiot who is missing the obvious or making it too simple? Anyone got any suggestions?

larkost · Oct 6, 2005, 10:00 PM

You do know the Windows box has to be WindowsXP Pro, right?

WizOSX · Oct 6, 2005, 10:34 PM

It is.

X-Ti · Oct 6, 2005, 11:07 PM

How do you have your ip address set?
Are your ethernet cards new enough that you don't need a cross over cable?

mpancha · Oct 7, 2005, 06:59 AM

Since you have XP Pro, this should be pretty simple. What you need to do is go to the system properties (either via control panel -> system, or right click on My Computer -> Properties). Go to Remote, and check the box "Allow Remote connections to this machine".

Then, all you have to do is enter your XP box's IP address. Technically it should work just by entering the name of the computer, but when it comes to computers, things don't always work as they should.

lastly, what kind of Mac are you using? I dont know about the others, but on my iBook the Network jack is auto-switching, as in wether or not I use a crossover cable is irrelevant, it autoswitches to accomodate for either cable. The same should be true of powerbooks, but I dont know about the desktop Macs.

Hope that helps.

cybergoober · Oct 7, 2005, 07:24 AM

If I remember correctly, desktop Macs have had auto-sensing ethernet ports since the G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)

WizOSX · Oct 7, 2005, 02:56 PM

Thanks, all, for the help.
Still no luck.

Here's what I have:

On the PC side:
Shuttle PC, about 2.5 years old. 1.7 ghz Celeron. 512mb RAM. Windows XP (not service pack 2). It is normally connected to my SMC wireless router where it works just fine for internet access. The machine does not have wireless so it is connected to the router by ethernet cable (not crossover).

On the Mac side:
Powerbook 12" 1.33ghz, about 1.5 years old. 1.25gb RAM. It normally connects to the internet wirelessly through the SMC router (Airport). Both airport and ethernet are set to automatic DHCP.

I have not intentionally set up any networks, lans, etc on either machine.

So, a few days ago, I downloaded Remote Desktop Connection from Microsoft to the Mac. On the PC side I checked the "allow users to connect remotely to this computer" under the Remote tab in the System properties control panel and looked up the computer's name there (9hiazw9wub1ua5y). Assuming that RDC could connect through the router I just ran RDC, typed in the "name" of the PC but the program said the remote computer couldn't be found. I then disconnected the ethernet cable from the router and plugged it straight into the Powerbook. Same result. I've tried fiddling with other settings, like disconnecting auto DHCP on the Mac etc but to no avail.

mpancha--what do you mean by my "XP box's IP address?" There is one assigned to the machine in the router but I didn't think the machine itself had one.

mpancha · Oct 7, 2005, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by WizOSX

mpancha--what do you mean by my "XP box's IP address?" There is one assigned to the machine in the router but I didn't think the machine itself had one.

Well, the router assigns an IP address to your PC. That's the address of that machine. I dont know how much you know about networking, but watered down basics is...

your computer's name is similar to someone going "John Doe's House"
The IP address is the specific address, similar to "123 main St"

with RDC between a mac and PC, using the computer's name is supposed to work, however it doesn't always work. But, if you put in the IP address, generally it just works.

To find out your computers IP address, go to Start -> Run, and type in "cmd". It'll take you to a DOS prompt. In there type in "ipconfig" and hit enter. It'll give you your PC's IP address. Take that address and enter it in RDC on your Mac, and that should work.

Good luck.

WizOSX · 10:56 PM

I just got it working!! Thanks mpancha for the help.

I did two things at once, one of which did the trick. I disabled the firewall in Trend Micro and also added a password to my Administrator account. I'm not sure which did the trick. Anyway, signing in using the IP number from ipconfig works now.