I was trying to connect to a Windows XP SP3 workstation (Dell Precision R5400) from Windows XP SP2 (RDC Client Shell Version 5.1 Bulid 2600 Control Version 5.1.2600.3581Maximum Encryption Strength 128 bit ) or Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition SP1 (RDC Client Shell Version 5.2 Build 3790 Control Version 5.2.3790.1830 Maximum Encryption Strength 128 bit). I entered the correct user id and password after being connected to the host. The desktop of host would not appear and I was returned to RDC client. If the user currently logged on the host is different from the user entered on client, RDC detected and logged off the user on the host. Ping will not work after this without resetting the machine. This is a new machine came installed with XP SP3 and I ran Windows Update after Windows setup. I have never been able to see the desktop while trying to remotely connect to it. TCP/IP Port 3389 was added for Remote Desktop Connection as Firewall Exception. Turning Firewall Off did not help. RDC from this XP SP3 workstation to other Windows XP SP2 or Windows Server 2003 worked. Does any one ever see the same issue, know what could be the problem and could provide a solution? Any advice and assistance on this is highly appreciated. Jean1 person needs an answerI do too