Secure Remote Desktop Setup and Access for Windows XP

These instructions will walk you through the process of setting up remote desktop access to a Windows XP computer on the Texas State network.  If your system differs from this setup, please contact the IT Assistance Center for further help.

Requirements

• A Texas State Faculty/Staff NetID and Password.
• A Windows XP computer connected to the Texas State network.
  

  NOTE:  In order to access this computer remotely, this host computer must remain powered on, and must not hibernate, or go into a standby mode.  If you are unsure about how to make sure your computer is configured correctly, please contact the IT Assistance Center.

• Administrator rights on the computer.

What you need to know

Throughout these instructions we will refer to two computers, the host system which is the computer on the Texas State network that you are trying to access, and the remote system which is any computer on or off the Texas State network that you are using to access your computer on the Texas State network.  In other words, the remote system accesses the host system.

If you are a notebook (laptop) user who takes his/her computer off-campus and need access to the Texas State University network, please contact the IT Assistance Center (ITAC) for alternative access methods.

Setting up Remote Desktop Access on the Host Computer (Windows XP)

1. On the host system, right click on the My Computer icon and select "Properties" as shown below.

   

2. Click on the "Remote" tab at the top of the System Properties box.

   

3. Check the box that says "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer."

   

4. Next, click on the "Select Remote Users" button as shown below.

   

5. On this screen you want to make sure your username that you use to access your computer in your office is shown in or under the white box (as shown below). 
   
   • If your username already exists, simply click OK and skip to Step 10 below. 
     (This may require a restart of your computer.)
     
   • If your username does NOT exist in or under the white box (as shown below), continue to Step Number 6.

     

6. Since your username is not listed in or under the white box click on the "Add" button as shown below.

   

7. Next, type in the username of the person you want to be able to access this computer remotely.  Use the format "txstate\NETID" as shown below, then click on "Check Names" button.
   
   If prompted for a username and password, simply enter your Texas State NetID and Password to verify access.

   

8. You should now see the username listed similar to the one shown below.
   
   • If this is correct, simply click "OK" to continue.
   • If not, please contact the IT Assistance Center for further help.

     

9. You should now see the username in the white box as shown below.  Simply click "OK" to continue.
   This may require a restart of your computer.

   

10. Next, click on the "Start" button and select "Run."

    

11. Next, type "cmd" into the prompt and click "OK" as shown below.

    

12. On the command prompt, type the following command and press enter, as shown below:
    

    ipconfig/all
    
    

     

13. You should now see the all of your network information in the command prompt as shown below.  It is very important that you find the the Host Name and the Connection-specific DNS Suffix.  You will need to write down this information as you will need it to access your computer remotely.  (You may have to scroll up or down to find this information)
    
    NOTE:  Do not use the information below, it is for reference purposes only and will not work to access your computer.  You have to use the Host Name and Connection-specific DNS suffix from your host system.
    
    Once you have copied the name and suffix, simply close this window.

    

14. Now we have to formulate the fully qualified name of your computer in order to access it remotely.
    
    
    • First take the Host Name from step 13.  For instance, in this example this would be TAG304413
    • Next, add the Connection-specific DNS suffix from step 13 to the end of the Host Name (You will need to place a period {.} between the two variable as shown below).  For instance, in this example we would get TAG304413.css.txstate.edu
      
      This is considered the remote desktop access name, write this down.
15. Now it is time to setup our VPN connection through Texas State’s Secure Access website.  Open a web browser and navigate to the following secure website:
    
    https://ive1.txstate.edu
    
    
16. Enter your Texas State NetID and password, and then click "Sign In" as shown below.

    

17. Once you login for the first time on this computer, you may be prompted to install a necessary ActiveX control on your system.  Simply right click on the information bar and select "Install ActiveX Control" as shown below.

    

18. If you are prompted to install the Juniper Network, Inc. file, simply click "Install" as shown below.

    

19. Next, we’ll need to setup the Terminal Session (Remote desktop computer) that you’ll be accessing.
    
    Click on the add computer icon located in the top right corner of the "Terminal Sessions" section as shown below.

    

20. Next, we’ll name the session.  Simply select "Windows Terminal Services" for the Session Type.  Then enter a Bookmark Name for the computer you will access.  The Bookmark Name that you define here will be used as the link to access your computer; you are free to name the Bookmark as you wish.  The Description is optional.
    
    An example is shown below.

    

21. In the next section we’ll define the connection settings for accessing your host system.
    
    In the Host field, simply enter the remote desktop access name of your computer.  This name was created in step 14 above.  An example is shown below.
    
    Leave the Client Port and Server Port fields blank.
    Set the Screen Size to "Full Screen" as shown below.
    Set the Color Depth to "16-bit" as shown below.

    

22. In the next section we’ll define the authentication for your computer.  Assuming you log into your computer with your Texas State NetID and password (same as you used to access the Secure Access site in step 16 above), then simply enter "<USER>" without the quotes, and as shown below.
    
    If you use a local account to access your computer, simply enter the Username and Password as you would when you log into your computer.
    
    All other fields can be left blank as shown below.

    

23. Define any customizations that you would like in the "Connect Devices" and "Display Settings" that you prefer.
24. Next, click on the "Add" button to create this Terminal Services session for future use.

    

25. You should now see your Terminal Services link within the Terminal Sessions section as shown below.
    
    If your link is shown, you are now ready to access your host system. Follow the instructions below in the Accessing your host computer remotely section.
    
    If your link is NOT shown, please start over at step 19 or contact the IT Assistance Center for help.

    

Accessing Your Host Computer Remotely 

1. We are now ready to access your host system using the remote system.  It is very important that you do not try to access your host system from your host system as it may create a loop and cause you to have to restart your computer.
2. On the remote system, navigate to https://ive1.txstate.edu
3. Enter your Texas State NetID and password, and then click "Sign In" as shown below.

   

4. You may be prompted to install the ActiveX files on this system.  If so, please see steps 18 & 19 above.
5. Next, find the "Terminal Sessions" section as shown below.  You should see the link to your Texas State computer as you defined it earlier.  Click on the link to your session as shown below.

   

6. Once you click on the link, your session will be initiated using the settings that you defined earlier.
   
   Please be patient, as this initiation may take a few minutes.
   
   Once the session has started, you should see a login screen similar to what you see when you are actually using your Texas State system.
   
   If you are unable to see the login screen, or have any other issues, please contact the IT Assistance Center for further assistance.
7. When you are finished accessing your host system and wish to close the remote session, simply close the remote desktop window and logout of the Texas State Secure Access website.

If you have problems or questions, please contact the IT Assistance Center (ITAC).