Remote Desktop Issues - it shouldn't be this difficult

I have at my primary residence a desktop PC with Win7 Pro and in System Properties > Remote tab, under Remote Desktop, I have chosen "Allow connections..."

When I use my laptop PC at my second home, I cannot connect. I get the error message "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:
1) Remote access to the server is not enabled
2) The remote computer is turned off
3) The remote computer is not available on the network
Make sure the remote computer is turned on and connected to the network, and that remote access is enabled."

(The laptop has my desktop PC's correct IP address entered in the Computer field in the RDC window)

If the error message is correct, the remote computer (which I thought was actually the HOST computer) is not connected to the network. If that is actually the problem, how do I make it connected to the network?

ixodid said:

I have at my primary residence a desktop PC with Win7 Pro and in System Properties > Remote tab, under Remote Desktop, I have chosen "Allow connections..."

When I use my laptop PC at my second home, I cannot connect. I get the error message "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:
1) Remote access to the server is not enabled
2) The remote computer is turned off
3) The remote computer is not available on the network
Make sure the remote computer is turned on and connected to the network, and that remote access is enabled."

(The laptop has my desktop PC's correct IP address entered in the Computer field in the RDC window)

If the error message is correct, the remote computer (which I thought was actually the HOST computer) is not connected to the network. If that is actually the problem, how do I make it connected to the network?

I too found RDT difficult and inconsistent to use. I found an alternative (free) called Team View

Your router may have a setting to enable RDC through the firewall. I believe you might need to use port foward 3389. Down near the bottom in option 2 of this tutorial it's explained pretty well.

Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) - Network

I found an alternative (free) called Team View

Thanks, I will consider that but I want to try to get RDC to work first.

Do you have a router or a firewall which is blocking inbound on port 3389?

I have Trend Micro Internet Security firewall on - how can I determine if it is blocking port 3389?

Or, is it possible that your ISP is blocking access on that port?

Did not know this was a possibility. Is there a way I can tell?

Your router may have a setting to enable RDC through the firewall. I believe you might need to use port foward 3389.

This screen shot is how my router settings already were. Are those setting correct?