Remote Desktop: How to Setup a Keyboard-less XP HTPC?

bigboss97 · 2006-03-04, 13:01

I'm running my MP on XP (SP2) with a wireless trackball and using an USB keyboard. I only connect it when I need to do some installations or setup. Since it's not very comfortable to do this in front of a plasma tv I've just tried out the XP remote desktop (RD) to control the HTPC from a PC.

Originally, my PC was setup without any login and password. But without password RD doesn't work. So, I added a single letter password. It's still okay when I boot the PC, no need to enter passord. But whenever I've used RD the HTPC is locked. Then I need to enter the password (connect my keyboard) to unlock it.

I found the problem described on net
secure.experts-exchange.com
but haven't found the solution.

What I currently need is either a solution for the above problem
or
something allows me to unlock my HTPC without a keyboard (with mouse click)

thanks
Phuoc

cheezey · 2006-03-04, 14:09

or.....don't use RD, use VNC instead (e.g. Real VNC http://www.realvnc.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi)

That way Windows won't lock your console when you're remotely controlling it.

Note: You can override the password requirement when connecting using RDP, it's just a policy setting, but Windows will still lock your console when you RDP onto your XP install.

phpchris · 2006-03-04, 14:16

Well but I think neither VNC nor RDP are supporting Direct X so I think prolly the best is to install the webinterface...

Khris · 2006-03-04, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by phpchris

Well but I think neither VNC nor RDP are supporting Direct X so I think prolly the best is to install the webinterface...

Uhm.....I don't think you understood the original request.

VNC is probably the best idea (as already suggested).

Inker · 2006-03-04, 15:38

Indeed, use VNC. I do it all the time and it works fine, lets me even control MP if I need to.

Simply set up the VNC server to run as a service, so it will always be there when you need it. This way you can easily control your HTPC.

Keep in mind though to disconnect before using the HTPC in front of the PC again, since it does stress the system a bit, especially when there is lots of movement, like whne using MP.

webdes03 · 2006-06-28, 02:22

VNC is the way to go, as others have said.

nitro · 2006-06-28, 02:46

jsut in case you hadn't been pushed enough

another vote for VNC!

NickName · 2006-06-28, 03:23

Hi all,

You can use Remote Desktop for multiple concurrent users by replacing termsrv.dll with termsrv.dll from a beta version of XP Media Centre 2005. There is also a single registry key to create/update and little else...

This only works for XP Professional or Media Centre 2005 not XP Home.

By doing this you can login remotely without logging out the current local user. This means Mediaportal keeps playing TV, etc. whilst you work on it remotely
I have seen this working on several PC's. :wink:

Tech Geek · 2006-06-28, 03:33

I use UltraVNC myself. Much better than Remote Desktop.

zswman · 2006-06-28, 03:39

I wouldn't use anything but VNC :-)

2006-03-04, 13:01	#1 (permalink)
bigboss97 Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Remote Desktop: How to Setup a Keyboard-less XP HTPC? I'm running my MP on XP (SP2) with a wireless trackball and using an USB keyboard. I only connect it when I need to do some installations or setup. Since it's not very comfortable to do this in front of a plasma tv I've just tried out the XP remote desktop (RD) to control the HTPC from a PC. Originally, my PC was setup without any login and password. But without password RD doesn't work. So, I added a single letter password. It's still okay when I boot the PC, no need to enter passord. But whenever I've used RD the HTPC is locked. Then I need to enter the password (connect my keyboard) to unlock it. I found the problem described on net secure.experts-exchange.com but haven't found the solution. What I currently need is either a solution for the above problem or something allows me to unlock my HTPC without a keyboard (with mouse click) thanks Phuoc __________________ ...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+...+.. . www.folksfun.com

2006-06-28, 02:46	#7 (permalink)
nitro Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Age: 30 Posts: 159 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	jsut in case you hadn't been pushed enough another vote for VNC! __________________ My HTPC - Dell Optixplex GX620 - Intel Celeron 2.8GHz - 1GB DDR - 500GB - Compro DVB-T300 w\ remote

2006-06-28, 03:23	#8 (permalink)
NickName Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gold Coast Posts: 283 Thanks: 13 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Country:	Remote Desktop Hi all, You can use Remote Desktop for multiple concurrent users by replacing termsrv.dll with termsrv.dll from a beta version of XP Media Centre 2005. There is also a single registry key to create/update and little else... This only works for XP Professional or Media Centre 2005 not XP Home. By doing this you can login remotely without logging out the current local user. This means Mediaportal keeps playing TV, etc. whilst you work on it remotely I have seen this working on several PC's. :wink:

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pinnacle MediaCenter 100i Remote	kadafi	General Support	28	2007-02-06 18:57
A perfect HTPC with MP & PVR Scheduler & faster XP	STSC	Tips and Tricks	16	2007-01-30 22:40
Help with TVServer and client	rick78	Get Support	8	2006-12-12 18:48
HTPC doesn't resume w. remote, but does with keyboard.	Flerbizky	General Support	0	2006-11-20 14:16
The Top Reasons why Media Portal is the Greatest HTPC App	Steve Warner	MediaPortal 1 Talk	37	2006-08-02 02:00

2006-03-04, 14:09	#2 (permalink)
cheezey Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West Yorks Age: 40 Posts: 401 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Country: My System	or.....don't use RD, use VNC instead (e.g. Real VNC http://www.realvnc.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi) That way Windows won't lock your console when you're remotely controlling it. Note: You can override the password requirement when connecting using RDP, it's just a policy setting, but Windows will still lock your console when you RDP onto your XP install.

2006-03-04, 14:16	#3 (permalink)
phpchris Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well but I think neither VNC nor RDP are supporting Direct X so I think prolly the best is to install the webinterface...

2006-03-04, 15:38	#5 (permalink)
Inker Portal Designer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 34 Thanked 133 Times in 57 Posts My System	Indeed, use VNC. I do it all the time and it works fine, lets me even control MP if I need to. Simply set up the VNC server to run as a service, so it will always be there when you need it. This way you can easily control your HTPC. Keep in mind though to disconnect before using the HTPC in front of the PC again, since it does stress the system a bit, especially when there is lots of movement, like whne using MP.

2006-06-28, 02:22	#6 (permalink)
webdes03 Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	VNC is the way to go, as others have said.

2006-06-28, 03:33	#9 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I use UltraVNC myself. Much better than Remote Desktop.

2006-06-28, 03:39	#10 (permalink)
zswman Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mountain View, CA USA Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I wouldn't use anything but VNC :-)