Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 13:38:31 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:

> I'm wondering if any of you have ever tried to use the shared desktop
> but all the buttons in the share window are grayed out as if not in a call?
>
> I have several clients that this happens with and I can't seem to find
> the link as to why just some people have this problem.
> I've researched the newsgroups and have checked with several network
> gurus but we are all stumped.
>
> Here's what isn't the problem:
> - at both ends of the call, the users are local admins
> - we enabled the tools / remote desktop sharing wizard and enabled it
> - we added the PC's IP address to the router's DMZ to eliminate a
> blocked port
> - there are NO third party firewalls (ZoneAlarm, BlackIce, etc)
> - the clients are all using XP SP2 and the firewall has netmeeting added
> to the exception list, I even tried to disable it completely but it
> still can't be shared
> - the calls goes through all the time and we can see both names, but in
> the sharing window, everything is gray, we chat open a chat window either
> - for most people I can call them or they can call me and everything is
> fine, it is just SOME people have problems all the time and we don't
> know why
> - since I can call most people and they can call me, I think the problem
> is on the remote end, but I am not 100% certain
> - for the people who have SBS, I make a VPN call first then connect via
> RDP or netmeeting and this ALWAYS works
> - for other people in simpler home situations (single PC and router, no
> domain, no ISA, etc) it just never works
> - it is not a group policy issue as I never used them for simple home
> systems that seem to cause the most grief
>
> At first I said, oh well, it is just one or two people, but lately I'm
> seeing it more often and if I must resolve this soon.
>
> I am hoping someone has a few ideas to try out
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Richard Fagen

>From your description ( and the fact that you can connect in a call at all)
there is no protocol or port blocking issue ( application sharing is
carried out through tcp 1503 which is used for all data functions-- if any
of them work then 1503 is not blocked).

All I can guess is a deliberate or accidental rights issue of some kind (
this has surfaced before usually on Win2000 but never with a satisfactory
resoluton that I recall). You could try the de/reinstall procedure outlined
here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q267958

BTW to activate RDS on SP2 requires that the sharing program also be added
to the firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;878451
but from what you say this is not the sharing function you are attempting
to use so is not a factor.

--
Brian Sullivan (MVP)
Meeting by Wire ( www.meetingbywire.com)
.

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