Some questions about XP and remote desktop.

[Ronstang]

I am going to set up a server on my home network to store data on and use as a print server. If I run XP on this box can I use the remote desktop from my main machine to take control of the server? If so, can I shut the machine down remotely this way? Is there a way to get an XP machine to boot without a keyboard hooked up?

Please don't answer with "just run Linux on it!" unless you can provide me with a step by step, blow by blow set of instucitons that walk me thru every step from first putting the Linux CD in the drive to turning the box on and having it work on my network because I know NOTHING about it and I don't feel like getting all geeky to perfor what should be an easy task. I already installed Mandrake 8.1 on this server but gave up because I could not get a good set of instructions on how to make Samba and SSH work and I had no clue what I was doing so I gave up.

Now if what I want can be done with Windows 2000 Server then that is also an option.

I woould like to be able to turn this machine off if I choose and then be able to merely flip the power switch back on without having a keyboard, mouse, or monitor hooked up to this machine.

Thanks

 

[Nighthawk69]

I use VNC (do a search on Google for more info) to remotely admin my Windows 2000 Server computer which acts as a fileserver in my home. Although, I have to have a mouse and keyuboard connected to it or the computer will not boot. but no monitor.

Regards,

 

[bsobel]

> Now if what I want can be done with Windows 2000 Server then that is also an option.

You can use terminal services in admin mode on the 2k box to remotely work on it. You can shut it down this way (but it's probably easier to use shutdown.exe or shutgui.exe from the resource kit, just run that on your remote machine (presuming you have the rights) to shut the server down.

> I woould like to be able to turn this machine off if I choose and then be able to merely flip the power switch back on without having a keyboard, mouse, or monitor hooked up to this machine

Monitor is no problem. The keyboard/mouse is harder. By default (unless your MB specifically supports a headless mode) it will likely complain. I've seen a number of companies make a small adapater that plugs into the ports (I guess you'll really only need KB) and simulates a kb is there so the system will boot and not complain. Depending on your space concerns, a really cheap keyboard might be easier.

Bill

 

[kyoshozx]

About no mouse and keyboard, I'm pretty sure you can setup in the bios not to stop on errors, so even though it'll complain about no keyboard found it'll still continue booting, but it might depend on your bios.


Ronstang, you can take control of the server with remote desktop in windows xp. It doesn't allow you to shutdown though. Win2k server Terminal services will allow you to shutdown. Like bsodel said you can use the shutdown.exe in winxp to shutdown the computer, but the only problem I found with this is that it doesn't fully shutdown my computer. It just shutdowns down window until you see the screen it's safe to turn off your computer.

I'm using win2k server and I use terminal server to access the computer. Either win2k server or winxp will suit your needs nicely, since you're using it for a home server.

 

[NogginBoink]

<< I am going to set up a server on my home network to store data on and use as a print server. If I run XP on this box can I use the remote desktop from my main machine to take control of the server? If so, can I shut the machine down remotely this way? Is there a way to get an XP machine to boot without a keyboard hooked up? >>



Yes, yes, and yes.

You can shut down remotely without remote desktop or terminal services.

Booting with no mouse/keyboard is a function of the BIOS.




<< Now if what I want can be done with Windows 2000 Server then that is also an option. >>


It can be... except your terminal services session will not be on the console desktop, but on a separate desktop. For most uses this is no problem.



<< I woould like to be able to turn this machine off if I choose and then be able to merely flip the power switch back on without having a keyboard, mouse, or monitor hooked up to this machine. >>



Windows will be okay with that.

 

[zigCorsair]

To help your confidence level, I administer my server in Austin, TX (XP) from Hong Kong (XP).

I do this both by managing files on shared drives and via the included terminal services.

There is neither a keyboard nor a mouse attached to it - bios (as previously stated).

The computer has an older bios, as it is a P200mmx.

 

[wlee]

With regard to running "headless", you should also be able to use a cheap 2 port KVM switch box to satisfy the BIOS.
You should also be able to remote boot the machine with one of the "magic packet" programs, *ASS*uming all your hardware supports it.

 

[zigCorsair]

oooo - remote boot. could you post the recommended link? I've always wanted to play around with it .

 

[Ronstang]

Thanks for all the help. Once again I am going to show my ignorance. What is shutdown.exe/shutgui.exe, where do I get them, and how do I use them. I have succesfully setup the server and have been able to use my machine to access and control it. The only problem now is to find a way to be able to shut the server down form my machine. I don't mind having to physically turn the box off but I would like to be able to shut Windows XP down properly before doing so.

Thanks again,

Ron

 

[bsobel]

Shutdown.exe and Shutdgui.exe are tools from the Windows resource kit. They allow you to remotely (if you have proper rights) shutdown another NT system.
Bill