Symptoms
I open Parallels Infrastructure Manager (PIM) in Internet Explorer 7; choose a container; click the link 'Remote Desktop' in the main window; and then click 'Login' to open an RDP session to a container.
The RDP session window opens for a short moment and then automatically closes.
I see the same event in Parallels Power Panel when I go to Desktop > Container Services > Remote Desktop and click the button 'Login.'
Cause
The security settings of Internet Explorer create the problem because they are too restrictive by default and do not allow you to install and run the needed ActiveX controls for the RDP window.
Resolution
In order to solve the problem, you should tweak the security settings of Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) in the following manner:
1. Open IE7 menu Tools > Internet Options > switch to the tab ‘Security’ > choose 'Internet Zone'
(for IE8 open menu Tools > Internet Options > switch to the tab ‘Security’ > choose 'Trusted Sites')
2. Enable the following parameters (see screenshot):
- Download the signed ActiveX controls
- Download the unsigned ActiveX controls
- Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting
Click ‘OK’ and ignore the warning about insecure settings. Click “Yes.”
3. Switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab in Internet Options and enable the following settings (see screenshots):
- “Force offscreen composing even under the Terminal Server”
- “Allow active content to run in files on My Computer”
- “Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid”
- “Use SSL 2.0”
- “Use TLS 1.0”
- “Use SSL 3.0”
Click ‘OK’ after you change the settings.
4. Add the PVC host to the trusted sites in Internet Explorer.
5. Restart IE7 (close all IE7 windows).
Run Internet Explorer 7 again and now you should be able to use RDP in PIM/PPP.
The solution described above works in the following environment:
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 Build 2600
- Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13
No
Yes