| Author |
Message |
Richard Fagen
Guest
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 Posted:
Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject:
Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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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 |
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Brian Sullivan MVP
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:03 pm Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 13:38:31 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
| Quote: | 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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Richard Fagen
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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Hi Brian,
I am a software developer/consultant so there are many many tools on my
PC (SQL, Visual Studio, Logitech camera software, Limewire, etc) that
might be conflicting with Netmeeting. What I find strange is that it
conflicts with just 'some' of my clients. :)
I know about "obscure" problems and deal with them all the time, that's
how I make a living :)
| Quote: | If you can't access any data functions then we are into the "obscure"
territory I mentioned above.
|
I have a few ideas that I'll test out:
- since I am a system builder too, I'll try a virgin PC with a fresh
install of just Windows XP and the updates
- I'll remote the routers completely if the above doesn't work
I'll keep you posted with my findings.
Thanks again!
Richard Fagen
| Quote: | So I guess I mispoke a little -- if this happens consistently then there is
some chance that tcp 1503 is being blocked at a firewall or in use by
another program causing your woes.
I would try to establish a data only call (an easy way to do this is to
force "secure" calling) to see if there is some block or other program
using the port.
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Brian Sullivan MVP
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:53:36 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Brian,
I am a software developer/consultant so there are many many tools on my
PC (SQL, Visual Studio, Logitech camera software, Limewire, etc) that
might be conflicting with Netmeeting. What I find strange is that it
conflicts with just 'some' of my clients. :)
|
The conflict may be at their end(in fact based on the facts that is more
likely).
--
Brian Sullivan (MVP)
Meeting by Wire ( www.meetingbywire.com) |
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Brian Sullivan MVP
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 16:58:47 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Brian,
Thanks for replying so quickly. I was hoping to hear from you. Your
name pops up so many times when I tried searching the newsgroup in
Google :) I even briefly browsed your web site but I couldn't find an
answer.
Does that mean that once the main window shows both names and the
titlebar reads message "In a call" that the connection is made and there
is no protocol or port blocking issue? The icon in the lower right
corner turns blue and shows "In a call" too.
|
Yes generally-- a further confirmation that the data portion of the call is
connected would be if you can share a whiteboard or chat. The "in a call"
happens on establishment of the h.323 or audio/video portion of the call --
the data portion generally follows quickly afterward (but occasionally in
obscure cases fails so the whiteboard or chat test would be absolute
confirmation)
| Quote: |
If so, this is strange as once this happens, usually within seconds, I
can't access any of the other options (sharing, chat, whiteboard,
transfer) as all those windows say "Not in a call"
|
If you can't access any data functions then we are into the "obscure"
territory I mentioned above.
So I guess I mispoke a little -- if this happens consistently then there is
some chance that tcp 1503 is being blocked at a firewall or in use by
another program causing your woes.
I would try to establish a data only call (an easy way to do this is to
force "secure" calling) to see if there is some block or other program
using the port.
| Quote: |
It appears the call is good as either side can start or end the call and
we hear the phone 'ring'
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).
Thanks for the article. Is there is similar procedure for XP or will
the 2000 one work for XP too?
|
The procedure works for XP as well.
| Quote: |
We're running ver 3.01 (5.1.2600.2150) from XP SP2, is there any SP or
hotfix to apply?
|
No -- you have the correct version. The procedure doesn't really reinstall
NetMeeting -- it just resets the registry entries to the "virgin" state. It
would only solve a problem with some sort of registry corruption or
incorrect setting.
--
Brian Sullivan (MVP)
Meeting by Wire ( www.meetingbywire.com) |
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Richard Fagen
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
|
|
Hi Brian,
Thanks for replying so quickly. I was hoping to hear from you. Your
name pops up so many times when I tried searching the newsgroup in
Google :) I even briefly browsed your web site but I couldn't find an
answer.
Does that mean that once the main window shows both names and the
titlebar reads message "In a call" that the connection is made and there
is no protocol or port blocking issue? The icon in the lower right
corner turns blue and shows "In a call" too.
If so, this is strange as once this happens, usually within seconds, I
can't access any of the other options (sharing, chat, whiteboard,
transfer) as all those windows say "Not in a call"
It appears the call is good as either side can start or end the call and
we hear the phone 'ring'
| Quote: | 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).
|
Thanks for the article. Is there is similar procedure for XP or will
the 2000 one work for XP too?
We're running ver 3.01 (5.1.2600.2150) from XP SP2, is there any SP or
hotfix to apply?
Yes, RDS and remote assistance are both checked too. I even check the
system properties (right click my computer, remote tab) and the settings
are fine.
One think I noticed now is that when I close netmeeting, the icon
appears in the tray. If I right click it, it shows an option "Activate
Remote Desktop Sharing". This still doesn't help. Strange as I don't
remember this icon being there before I played with the Tools / Remote
Desktop .. wizard setting. Also what's the point of the icon when I
have to run 'conf' again? I thought I could re-open netmeeting via the
icon in the tray but I can't.
Also note that for the clients that always work, I never even went to
that screen. I only found it by reading some of your old posting in
Google so I tried it out. Iow, for the people that work, I never even
had to enable anything special.
This is getting so frustrating that one client is thinking about getting
GoToMyPC :(
Any other idea?
Thanks again!
Richard Fagen |
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Richard Fagen
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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Hi Brian,
Just another thought that might be a clue...
Recent in our area (Montreal) the local ISPs started to upgrade their
services by introducing new modems (dsl moved from 1.5M to 3-4M service
and cable moved from 3 to 4-5M service). This has caused me a lot of
nightmare with older routers. I've been in contract with SMC and
Linksys and there are known issues with older routers and new modems.
While they offered my newer beta firmware to fix things, after wasting a
few more hours, I've given up wasting more time and found it more
effective to simply get most people new routers. The main problem was
the ISP now change their MTU setting from the default 1492 that was
static for years. The new routers all have an 'auto mtu' setting.
I've used the ping -l -f command to prove the ISP change this setting
daily (sometimes even every few hours!)
I believe I'm having most of these problems since we installed the new
modems/router. I'm thinking .... can these problems all be hardware
related?
I also noticed that I never have problems connecting to cable clients.
The problems only seem to happen with DSL clients. I am on cable.
I'm tempted to dust off my 3com modem and use dialup to see what happens :)
Richard
p.s. those auto MTU settings only work if one flashed the bios - I
learned that the hard way too :(
Brian Sullivan MVP wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:53:36 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
Hi Brian,
I am a software developer/consultant so there are many many tools on my
PC (SQL, Visual Studio, Logitech camera software, Limewire, etc) that
might be conflicting with Netmeeting. What I find strange is that it
conflicts with just 'some' of my clients. :)
The conflict may be at their end(in fact based on the facts that is more
likely).
|
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| Back to top |
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Brian Sullivan MVP
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
|
|
On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 10:20:00 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Brian,
Just another thought that might be a clue...
Recent in our area (Montreal) the local ISPs started to upgrade their
services by introducing new modems (dsl moved from 1.5M to 3-4M service
and cable moved from 3 to 4-5M service). This has caused me a lot of
nightmare with older routers. I've been in contract with SMC and
Linksys and there are known issues with older routers and new modems.
While they offered my newer beta firmware to fix things, after wasting a
few more hours, I've given up wasting more time and found it more
effective to simply get most people new routers. The main problem was
the ISP now change their MTU setting from the default 1492 that was
static for years. The new routers all have an 'auto mtu' setting.
I've used the ping -l -f command to prove the ISP change this setting
daily (sometimes even every few hours!)
I believe I'm having most of these problems since we installed the new
modems/router. I'm thinking .... can these problems all be hardware
related?
I also noticed that I never have problems connecting to cable clients.
The problems only seem to happen with DSL clients. I am on cable.
|
It is possible I suppose that total lack of t.120 connection or sporadic
loss of connection (if that is what is happening) could be due to isp
setup/change of MTU ( though I haven't any real evidence or even anecdotal
information that this would happen).
The DSL provider is Bell Canada?
| Quote: | I'm tempted to dust off my 3com modem and use dialup to see what happens :)
|
I suppose you could get some indication if the dsl connection is a factor
if you could use the same clients with a different connection.
--
Brian Sullivan (MVP)
Meeting by Wire ( www.meetingbywire.com) |
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Richard Fagen
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:23 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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Hi Brian,
The MTU issues was driving us nuts the past few months. Upgrading to
one of the current routers from SMC or Linksys (provided you flash the
firmware to the latest BIOS) and enable the auto MTU setting seems to
have resolved that issue. However, it might have screwed NetMeeting :)
My PC has Logitech QuickCam software (latest download of course, not the
Gammaware version that comes in the box - lol) that may interfere. I'm
reaching for straws, but since we're into the 'obscure' territory, it is
worth a try.
Tomorrow, I'll test a newly built PC with just XP SP2 and Norton
installed (plus the latest post SP2 hotfixes) directly to my cable
modem, ie, no router on my end, and I'll try to reach some clients that
need help but whose NetMeeting is now broken.
What really pisses me off is that fact that all the problem client used
to work perfectly until recently. All of these clients are afraid to
install anything but Windows Update without calling me. Can Windows
Update screw something in NetMeeting? :)
I'll keep you posted.
| Quote: | It is possible I suppose that total lack of t.120 connection or sporadic
loss of connection (if that is what is happening) could be due to isp
setup/change of MTU ( though I haven't any real evidence or even anecdotal
information that this would happen).
|
FYI, In Canada, for cable there are two big ISP providers, Videotron in
Quebec, Rogers most everywhere else. For xDSL, the only real players are
Bell Canada's Sympatico brand and Telus out in western.
Regards,
Richard Fagen
| Quote: | The DSL provider is Bell Canada?
I'm tempted to dust off my 3com modem and use dialup to see what happens :)
I suppose you could get some indication if the dsl connection is a factor
if you could use the same clients with a different connection.
|
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Brian Sullivan MVP
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:
Re: Can't share any applications, buttons are grayed out |
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On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:52:25 -0400, Richard Fagen wrote:
| Quote: |
What really pisses me off is that fact that all the problem client used
to work perfectly until recently. All of these clients are afraid to
install anything but Windows Update without calling me. Can Windows
Update screw something in NetMeeting? :)
|
Of course it can -- but I don't know of any screw up lately.
| Quote: |
I'll keep you posted.
It is possible I suppose that total lack of t.120 connection or sporadic
loss of connection (if that is what is happening) could be due to isp
setup/change of MTU ( though I haven't any real evidence or even anecdotal
information that this would happen).
FYI, In Canada, for cable there are two big ISP providers, Videotron in
Quebec, Rogers most everywhere else. For xDSL, the only real players are
Bell Canada's Sympatico brand and Telus out in western.
|
Yes - I know -- I am in Toronto where Rogers is king. I guess you could add
Shaw and Cogeco as cable providers across the country (there may be a few
others as well). There are other DSL providers here and (and I presume
where you are) but afaik they all use the local phone company copper (Telus
in BC and Alberta, Bell in Ontario/Quebec, a few others like Sasktel -- and
some that don't come to mind) and provide their own routing. Are all your
problem sites using the same dsl provider?
--
Brian Sullivan (MVP)
Meeting by Wire ( www.meetingbywire.com) |
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