Solved How do you set RDP options in W8 -seems to work only as a Metro app

jimbo45

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Hi there
Any idea how I can configure RDP in W8 -- for example use Local drives, Transmit / do not transmit Sound, set display settings etc.


Note that I am RDP'ing FROM W8 to a W7 machine NOT the OTHER WAY around where you get the standard screens we are all used to.


I can connect fine -- but I need to change the display options and don't always want the RDP session to be in Fill screen mode --and it doesn't transmit the background themes either.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Found it -- How to use STANDARD (non Metro) RDP from W8 CP

Hi all

This little trick might save you a lot of hassle with the remote desktop facility (RDP) in W8 which "appears" to be only Metro enabled.
You can't pin it to the task bar in the desktop either so it looks like we've had it : BUT there is a sneaky get around.

Just simply run from the command line : mstsc.exe

then you'll be presented with the standard RDP screen we are used to where you can set all your options.

(You can make this a short cut too just use the command I've shown above).


Now you can get AERO / Background etc etc.

Set the speed to LAN to get all the options.


I'm using a W7 virtual machine from Hyper-V -- now I've got proper desktop / sound etc .





Cheers
jimbo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Haven't you always done it like that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Haven't you always done it like that?

Hi there

Normally I've gone through the START menu (pre Win 8)

on Win 8 there was only the RDP via Metro so I couldn't see any way to get the Options. All you got was a Full screen with a white bar at the bottom to enter the IP address or computer name of the remote computer.

You never needed to enter a command to get to RDP pre Win 8.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I suppose I am just in the habit of making shortcuts directly to the exe's.

Sometimes I add a command to the shortcut also.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
excellent finding Jimbo, I forget to look at mstsc because I use Remote Desktop Connector Manager. I can switch between all my Remote Desktop or see them all in one page. For Windows 8 it's best to undock it for use it , here a pic how it look


manager.jpg



and you can download it here


Download: RDCMan - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details


Since my Windows 8 is not on my PC but hosted on one of my 2008r2 servers I use Virtual Machine Manager to start the VM ( not a free software) I wonder if it will be legit to install 2008r2 or other servers in VM hosted on a Windows 8 , I don't think so.

vmm.gif
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Hi there
I'm not an Ms licence expert but I believe that if you have a legal copy of 2008R2 server you can install it as a Virtual Machine - not sure how many instances of that Virtual Machine you are allowed to run concurrently but I think there is some leeway on this.

Note that you will still need the CLIENT licenses irrespective of whether the server is on a Real machine or is running as a VM.

I believe in any case most servers SHOULD be run as Virtual machines anyway.
Perhaps you should just look at the W2008 HYPER-V server instead since presumably you just want to host a load of VM's.

I'm running a W2K3 Virtual server on the Windows to Go system (for testing).
(Also got a W7 system -- that runs 100% no problem but I'm testing a slightly more complex scenario).

I REALLY LIKE this product -- I hope it's still around when W8 is finally released. I've kept the bcdboot.exe pgm just in case as I imagine they won't mess around with the boot mechanism at this stage of W8's development.

The virtual Hardware hasn't changed and it hasn't askedme to re-activate - it's still activated.

And I've had 3 clients logged on to it running from W7 laptops (again testing). !!!

The HOST physical machine is reasonably powerful but seeing 3 clients connected to a W2K3 server which is a HYPER-V virtual machine loaded up from a Laptop 2 inch drive via the Windows to Go makes a very interesting POC (Proof of Concept) for a totally "Portable" small data centre as well!!.

This would be really great if you were demoing stuff at exhibitions say -- and you could have a few people actually testing / demoing your products during the exhibition without needing dedicated servers, complex lans or other expensive infrastructure, The whole kybosh could run from a Public Wifi outlet which the exhibition hall would be sure to have operating at a decent bandwidth.

This would save the need for these testers etc to logon to your REAL company LAN - avoiding all the hassle of security, VPN access etc. You just clone the bits you need and create your Virtual server which is booted up from the Windows to Go system.

Since the HOST machine has plenty of RAM there's not much I/O load on the "poor laptop drive" - 500 GB one containing the Windows 2 Go OS one one partition and the VM and data on the other data partition- that I'd removed from a laptop and attached to the host via a SATA==> USB2 cable. A rugged SSD via a USB3 connection could be a really good solution.

W2K3 Server in its basic model allows up to 4 concurrent connections before you need CAL's (Client Access Licences).

Not sure about 2008 r2 server. 2008 Hyper-V server is fine as a VM and this can run a zillion and one VM's as well.

Disk drives that are still shipped with "Home" type computers are probably worse than laptop drives so I wouldn't test with one of those. Strangely enough the Laptop drives make the best portable testing media and don't need a separate power supply either..

Anyway I'd definitely look at seeing why you really need W2008 server if you just want to host VM's -- the W2008 Hyper-V server seems your best bet -- or even what I'm doing with W8 CP.

Cheers
jimbo
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Jimbo , it may not look like it because of my Windows 8 frustration, but I’m a real Windows Servers lovers, Few years back I evaluate Vmware and Hyper-V and I choose Hyper-V for my customers Virtualization solutions. I really like it. Here a setup I do quite often for small business on low budget ;

I install the Hyper-V server on a small HD in a Dell servers
I then Install Windows SBS 2011 essential in VM in this Server
I install 2 HD and I don’t put them online in the Manager
This allow me to use them in mirror by the VM SBS, this will be the data storage, physical not virtual
Then on a remote workstation I setup Goodsynk to make backup of the VM SBS and the mirrored disk , each night on an external HD, the customer alternate the HD in the morning, and bring the finished one at home for offsite protection
If something happen to the Motherboard of the server as example, I simply bring an spare Server I have with already hyper-v install on it, then I just install the 2 data disk, copy back the VM SBS folder in the server HD, adjust the virtual network, and voila , in less than an hour the customer have is Server online again. This is a cheap and very good way to do backup and keep the downtime minimal.

This is a reason I’m still in business since 30 years, I always care more about the data of my customers than they care themself, and customers feel it.

What I'm afraid is that some pizza tech will install a VM SBS server in a Windows 8 PC , and then from some reasons the customer will use this improvized server as desktop too. I see it too many time peoples using even something as 2008r2 as desktop at same time to save money in their business. Hyper-v server is free, but how many peoples know it, they will use Windows 8 instead... No problem in a lab setup for experiment, but in production ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
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