RDP: How to make it work like pcAnywhere?

Is there any way using RDP to remote to a Windows Server 2003 machine and
interact with or view the desktop of the current login? Or, if there is not
a current login, interact with/view whatever is currently displaying on the
console monitor? This is the way pcAnywhere worked and I need similar
functionality.

The reason behind this request: We have some servers that run server-class
programs that run as programs from a user login and not as services. If I
attempt to remote into those servers with RDP using my personal login, I get
my own private desktop, not the desktop with the programs running. If I try
to RDP using the same login as the active login from which the programs are
running, I still get my own desktop, not the desktop with the programs
running.

Any suggestions?

Update from OP: Interestingly, when I try this from one XP client to another
on a peer-to-peer network, I get exactly what I want. My original post
describes my experience when connecting from an XP client to a Win2003
Server in a domain environment. Hope this helps some.

That is because XP is a single user OS,...the Server OSs clear back to
Server2000 were multi user OSs. You are "comparing Apples and Oranges".

Remote Desktop is not PCAnywhere, is not the same technology, and is not
going to act like what you want.

The closest that MS produces like PCAnywhere would be Remote Assistance, not
Remote Desktop.

If you want something like WebEx, then that would be MS Live Meeting.

--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------


"Tom C." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Update from OP: Interestingly, when I try this from one XP client to
> another on a peer-to-peer network, I get exactly what I want. My original
> post describes my experience when connecting from an XP client to a
> Win2003 Server in a domain environment. Hope this helps some.
>

"Tom C." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Update from OP: Interestingly, when I try this from one XP client to another
> on a peer-to-peer network, I get exactly what I want. My original post
> describes my experience when connecting from an XP client to a Win2003 Server
> in a domain environment. Hope this helps some.

Modify the RD icon to include the "/console" switch. For example:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe /console

OP here again. Well, it took some digging, but have now figured it out and
am posting here in case others are interested. What I was looking for is
what MS calls RDP shadow mode. Not exactly how pcAnywhere works, but close
enough for what I need. Here's how to make it happen:

1. Configure Terminal Services on the Win2003 Server
2. Configure Group Policy for Terminal Services on the Win2003 Server

Individual procedures follow...

Configuring Terminal Services on the Win2003 Server

1. Log into the server, choose Start, Programs, Administrative Tools,
Terminal Services Configuration

2. In the left pane, select Connections. Then in the right pane double click
RDP-Tcp.

3. In RDP-Tcp Properties, choose the Remote tab. Click Use remote control
with the following setting, uncheck Require user's permission, click
Interact with session. Choose OK.

Configuring Group Policy for Terminal Services on the Win2003 Server

1. Click Start, Run. Type gpedit.msc in the Open field and click OK. This
opens the group policy editor.

2. Under Computer Configuration, expand Administrative templates, expand
Windows Components, and then click Terminal Services.

3. Right-click Sets rules for remote control of Terminal Services user
sessions, and then click Properties.

4. Select the Enabled option.

5. Under Options, click Full Control without user's permission.

6. Click OK, and then quit Group Policy Editor.

To update the local policy immediately afterward without having to reboot,
go to a command prompt and run the following command: gpupdate /force

Once you've got all this set up, to actually use it to shadow the console
session:

1. RDP into the server.

2. Open a command window.

3. Enter: shadow 0 and then press ENTER. This will shadow the console
session.

If you want to shadow a different session, you can enter the query user
command and get a list of user sessions. Entering session 'n' where 'n' is
the user session will put you into shadow mode on that session.