remote desktop crashes server

[VJ]

Hello,

When I connect via remote desktop to my computer, it reboots.
No bluescreen, no entries in the event log, it just reboots as soon as I click 'connect' on the client.

Any ideas on how to start troubleshooting this?

Thanks!


Jörg

[MultimediaMan]

The first thing to do is to check to make sure your PC is patched: use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and run it locally. Patch as needed.

There is a known issue with KB902400 aka MS05-51. Do a search using those terms. Microsoft has a couple os excellent pages documenting this issue.

If that is not the problem, it's time to go deeper: Grab a second PC, a Nullmodem serial cable and get ready to debug!

Change the boot.ini and put the /baudrate=19200 /debug /debugport=com"x" switches into the boot string...

http://www.sysinternals.com/Information/bootini.html

Go ahead and start the recording before you attempt to connect via RDP to get things started. then crash the box with RDP. You should then have something you can use, or at least send to Microsoft.

[VJ]

The last patch on the PC is SP2 (and the multicore patch): the PC has no internet access, and it is virtually impossible for me to provide it to it (no phone line, no dsl line, ...).

(is there a way of downloading all the patches using a different computer, so that I could get the to that PC?)

I'll do a search on those terms, perhaps just patching that might do the trick.


Jörg

[VJ]

Just to be sure:
Could the fact that the server is running a dualhead independant (1280x1024 + 1280x960) resolution be causing this?
(I would think not...)


Jörg

[MultimediaMan]

No, I don't think so: my workstation@work uses a Dual head Quadro connected to a dual monitor rig: I regularly remote into it using a laptop and have had no problems whatsoever.

Yes, all XP patches are available from Microsoft without using Windows Update. You can apply patches manually via a script. Go to the Technet section of Microsoft and get the updates there.

To help you along I'm including a script you can use as a template for patching a machine without using Windows Update.

@echo off
REM *****Master Windows Patch File Script*****
REM *****For WindowsXP SP2 (Home and Professional versions)*****
REM *****This script applies all software and security updates for Windows XP as they are released by Microsoft.*****
REM *****Usage: go to the command prompt and type complete_update.cmd, or within the GUI, just double click on the icon*****
REM *****You will need Administrative Privileges for the Updates to execute and apply correctly.*****

echo.
echo.
echo Current as of February 14th., 2006.
echo.
echo.

echo Installing KB893803 Version 2...
WindowsXP-KB893803-v2-x86.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB898461...
WindowsXP-KB898461-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing Microsoft .NET Framework Version 1.1...
WindowsXP-MS.NTFW-v1.1-ENU.exe /q:a /c:"install /l /q"
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB831240...
WindowsXP-KB831240-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB873339...
WindowsXP-KB873339-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB886185...
WindowsXP-KB886185-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB887797...
WindowsXP-KB887797-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB885836...
WindowsXP-KB885836-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB888302...
WindowsXP-KB888302-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB887472...
WindowsXP-KB887472-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB891781...
WindowsXP-KB891781-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB888113...
WindowsXP-KB888113-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB873333...
WindowsXP-KB873333-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB887742...
WindowsXP-KB887742-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB893086...
WindowsXP-KB893086-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB885835...
WindowsXP-KB885835-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB885250...
WindowsXP-KB885250-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890046...
WindowsXP-KB890046-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896422...
WindowsXP-KB896422-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896428...
WindowsXP-KB896428-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB893066 Version 2...
WindowsXP-KB893066-v2-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896344 Version 2...
WindowsXP-KB896344-v2-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB901214...
WindowsXP-KB901214-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890859...
WindowsXP-KB890859-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB900930...
WindowsXP-KB900930-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896358...
WindowsXP-KB896358-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB899588...
WindowsXP-KB899588-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB893756...
WindowsXP-KB893756-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB899591...
WindowsXP-KB899591-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB899587...
WindowsXP-KB899587-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896423...
WindowsXP-KB896423-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB894391...
WindowsXP-KB894391-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing Windows Media Player 10...
WindowsXP-MP10-ENU.exe /q
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896727...
WindowsXP-KB896727-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB867460...
WindowsXP-KB867460-x86-ENU.exe /q
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing Windows Media Connect...
WindowsXP-WMC-ENU.exe /q
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB886903...
WindowsXP-KB886903-x86-ENU.exe /q
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896688...
WindowsXP-KB896688-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB902400...
WindowsXP-KB902400-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB899589...
WindowsXP-KB899589-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB900725...
WindowsXP-KB900725-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB901017...
WindowsXP-KB901017-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB905749...
WindowsXP-KB905749-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB905414...
WindowsXP-KB905414-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB904706...
WindowsXP-KB904706-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890830 October 2005 Edition (Malicious Software Removal Tool)...
WindowsXP-KB890830-v1.9-ENU.exe /quiet 
echo Done...
echo.
echo ******************************************************************************
echo.
echo Installing KB902344...
windowsmedia10-kb902344-x86-intl.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB896424...
WindowsXP-KB896424-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890830 November 2005 Edition (Windows Malicious Software Tool)...
Windows-KB890830-V1.10-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo ******************************************************************************
echo.
echo Installing Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0...
WindowsXP-dotnetfx-v2.0.exe /q:a /c:"install /l /q"
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB905915...
WindowsXP-KB905915-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB909520...
Windows-KB909520-v1.000-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing Windows Media Connect Version 2.0...
wmcsetup.exe /quiet /passive /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB910437...
WindowsXP-KB910437-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890830 December 2005 Edition (Windows Malicious Software Tool)...
Windows-KB890830-V1.11-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo ******************************************************************************
echo.
echo Installing KB912919...
WindowsXP-KB912919-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB908519...
WindowsXP-KB908519-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890830 January 2006 Edition (Windows Malicious Software Tool)...
Windows-KB890830-V1.12-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo ******************************************************************************
echo.
echo Installing KB911564...
WindowsMedia-KB911564-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB911565...
WindowsMedia10-KB911565-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB911927...
WindowsXP-KB911927-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB913446...
WindowsXP-KB913446-x86-ENU.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo Installing KB890830 February 2006 Edition (Windows Malicious Software Tool)...
Windows-KB890830-V1.13.exe /quiet /norestart
echo Done...
echo.
echo.
REM echo installing ...
REM  /quiet /norestart
REM echo Done...
REM echo.
echo.
echo.
echo All Updates Installed!
echo.
echo.
echo Rebooting now for the Updates to take effect...
shutdown -r -f -t 10

Aside from renaming the .NET Framework 1.0 and maybe one or two others along the way, all the file names should pretty much be left as is, but you will of course have to change the language portion to work in Belgium.

LMK how this works for you.

[Wombat]

The last patch on the PC is SP2 (and the multicore patch): the PC has no internet access, and it is virtually impossible for me to provide it to it (no phone line, no dsl line, ...).

(is there a way of downloading all the patches using a different computer, so that I could get the to that PC?)

www.autopatcher.com

[MultimediaMan]

Autopatcher looks like a well-intentioned project, but they lost me at the bottom of their patch list:

Tweaks
And of course, a lot of registry tweaks which improve speed, appearance, functionality and security!

Those Tweaks are worrisome, and since they don't tell you WHICH ONES they are, I would steer clear until I did know. That said, I'll give it a try and look at the registry before and afterward to see what they have done; I'm sure the usual offenders are there.

Start with the MSBSA to get a list of updates available for a machine
It only took ~30 minutes to get all of the updates from Microsoft, and put them into a single directory, then about 10 minutes to write the batch file (of which 4 minutes was figuring out how to get Textpad to "mime" a set of repetitive keystrokes).

Do this yourself and you'll have something you can maintain each Patch Tuesday in about 5 minutes. Just update the Master update command, then create a Monthly update command.

A friend of mine does the same thing, but he just creates a monthly update command along with a short text file with each month's updates name, his master patch script merely calls all the monthly commands from within the text file.

[lowlifecat]

Hello,

When I connect via remote desktop to my computer, it reboots.
No bluescreen, no entries in the event log, it just reboots as soon as I click 'connect' on the client.

Any ideas on how to start troubleshooting this?

Thanks!


Jörg

1st thing: My Computer > right click 'properties' > Advanced > Startup and recovery > uncheck 'Automatic restart' beneath System failure.

that should let you blue screen.

2nd: do debug as multimediaman suggested

[VJ]

1st thing: My Computer > right click 'properties' > Advanced > Startup and recovery > uncheck 'Automatic restart' beneath System failure.

that should let you blue screen.

Nope, it still isn't bluescreening...

Yes, all XP patches are available from Microsoft without using Windows Update. You can apply patches manually via a script. Go to the Technet section of Microsoft and get the updates there.

I know, but fetching them is the problem (unless there is a faster way than downloading each of them individually)...

I had the MSBSA, but it needs a recent list of updates. So now it is installed on my laptop, and I'll try running it tonight on that computer.

I'm really tempted by the autopatcher system...


Jörg

[VJ]

I tried autopatcher: if you install it, you can start up the various patches manually. So I applied all the ones that are present, and tried again.

The good news is that now the PC bluescreens (never thought I'd consider this good news ):

stop: 0x0000008E (OxC0000005, 0xBF93D8D8, 0xBA77B7E4, 0X00000000

win32k.sys - address BF93D8D8 base at BF800000, datestamp 41107f7a

I'm guessing by the low number of patches in autopatcher, that it is not complete. Consequently, I'll try to get the PC online (move it to a different site) and perform windows update. (I'll check the technet section tomorrow to see if I can easily download the patches).


Jörg

[Wombat]

Did you get the December main patch as well as the February update? Both are required.

[VJ]

Rats... I didn't...
I have it now, so I'll try again tonight.

The fact that it now bluescreens does make me hopeful.


Jörg

[VJ]

Well, it now is fully patched (autopatcher of Dec05 and Feb06).

However, it still bluescreens when I try to connect. This is the message it gives:

stop:
0x0000008E (OxC0000005, 0xBF93D205, 0xBA84B7E4, 0X00000000

win32k.sys - address BF93D205 base at BF800000, datestamp 43446a58

Getting a second PC to debug is going to be a problem; the event log gives no errors.

FWIW, connecting with this PC to my laptop is not a problem. The bluescreen only occurs on the desktop when it acts as a server and receives and rdp client.

Does that blue screen tell you guys anything?
(I'll update the video drivers next.)


Jörg

[Lord Zog]

How's your RAM? Googling for

stop error 0x0000008E 0xC0000005

returns a fair number of results that suggest that faulty memory may be the cause.

Pay a visit to MemTest.org or MemTest86.com for a free self-booting CD image if you want to test your memory.

[Jammrock]

How's your RAM?

If it was RAM his system would be crashing more often. I know, I just found another bad stick of RAM in my system and it started by crashing in Windows every once in a while, and then the system began failing boot and more.

Though it could still be RAM ... just not my top pick.

Update your video and NIC drivers. Get the reference drivers from the chip manufacture website, they are usually more up to date than the OEM drivers.

Jammrock