Remote Desktop only works in Safe Mode (XP)

[Old Yeller]

I'm running Windows XP SP3 - fully updated.

I'm behind a linksys router (with port 3389 properly forwarded) and my firewall is configured properly too.

Up until a couple of months ago everything worked just fine, but obviously I've installed some program or service that's conflicting with it and unfortunately that service/program is unknown to me.

My next step was going to be to sigh, and then back everything up and format because I'm just not a network geek, but maybe one of you are and can fix all my problems.

[sclitheroe]

http://www.foundstone.com/us/resourc...desc/fport.htm

Use FPort to determine which executable has bound itself to 3389. Although it would be an unusual situation where a third party application takes that port, as its pretty much the defacto standard for RDP.

Another thing you can try quickly to isolate whether its a router issue with port forwarding or a machine issue is to run "mstsc -v localhost" from the run menu, and see if you can RDP to yourself - if you can, it's not likely the machine, its probably the port forwarding. Has your static IP address on the box changed?

[Old Yeller]

Yes sclitheroe, I'm on shaw so my IP address changes once or twice a year.

I'll try your suggestions tonight and report back.

[Old Yeller]

So I ran Fport and the only process using port 3389 was an svchost.exe which I assume is alright?

Also when I run the "mtsc -v localhost" I get:

---------------------------
Remote Desktop Disconnected
---------------------------
The client could not connect. You are already connected to the console of this computer. A new console session cannot be established.


This is truly getting frustrating, I have no idea how or why rdp stopped working.