When using RDP to control a system, the user can not initialize or format a disk. When attempting to initialize, a disk a failure message is generated, but Disk Management will show the disk as online and healthy. When the user attempts to format, the Disk Manager will hang for upwards of a minute and then return with an error "Unable to format disk". Note: Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a multi-channel protocol that allows a user to connect to a computer running Microsoft Terminal Services. Clients exist for most versions of Windows (including handheld versions), and other operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X. Also PalmOS has a client. The server listens by default on TCP port 3389. Microsoft refers to the official RDP client software as either Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) or Terminal Services Client (TSC).
Source
RETAIN tip: H193261
Symptom
When using RDP to control a system, the user can not initialize or format a disk. When attempting to initialize a disk a failure message is generated, but Disk Management will show the disk as online and healthy. When the user attempts to format the Disk Manager will hang for upwards of a minute and then return with an error "Unable to format disk".
Note: Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a multi-channel protocol that allows a user to connect to a computer running Microsoft Terminal Services. Clients exist for most versions of Windows (including handheld versions), and other operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X. Also PalmOS has a client. The server listens by default on TCP port 3389. Microsoft refers to the official RDP client software as either Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) or Terminal Services Client (TSC).
Affected configurations
This tip is not machine specific.
This tip is not option specific.
The system is configured with at least one of the following:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 64-bit Limited Edition, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server for 64-bit Servers, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Datacenter Edition, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, EE x64, any service pack
- Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, x64 Edition, any service pack
Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software.
Please see the compatibility page for more information:
Solution
Start the RDP session from the Run box, or command line, with the /console switch: mstsc.exe /console.
Alternatively, create a desktop shortcut called "Remote Desktop" (console) and edit the Target properties to read as follows:
| |
%windir%\system32\mstsc.exe /console |
The issue occurs because a normal RDP session is not a true console session, therefore, the switch is needed.
Workaround
Other than using the /console switch with RDP, the only other workaround is to use a form of remote control to control the system.
System x:Windows 2000
System x:Windows Server 2003
System x:Windows Server 2003 x86-64
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