The Remote Connection feature in Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) 7 lets an IT administrator run the DaRT tools remotely on an end-user computer. After certain information is provided by the end user (or by a helpdesk professional working on the end-user computer), the IT administrator or helpdesk agent can take control of the end user's computer and run the necessary DaRT tools remotely.

Important
The two computers establishing a remote connection must be part of the same network.

The Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset window includes the option to run DaRT on an end-user computer remotely from an administrator computer. The end user opens the DaRT tools on the problem computer and starts the remote session by clicking Remote Connection.

The Remote Connection feature on the end-user computer creates the following connection information: a ticket number, a port, and a list of all available IP addresses. The ticket number and port are generated randomly.

The IT administrator or helpdesk agent enters this information into the DaRT Remote Connection Viewer to establish the terminal services connection to the end-user computer. The terminal services connection that is established lets an IT administrator remotely interact with the DaRT tools on the end-user computer. The end-user computer then processes the connection information, shares its screen, and responds to instructions from the IT administrator computer.

To run the DaRT tools remotely

  1. Boot an end-user computer by using the DaRT recovery image.

    For more information about booting a computer by using the DaRT recovery image, see Start DaRT 7 from the DaRT Recovery Image.

  2. On the System Recovery Options window, select Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset to open the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset window.

  3. On the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset window, click Remote Connection to open the DaRT Remote Connection window. If you are prompted to give the help desk remote access, click OK.

    The DaRT Remote Connection window opens and displays a ticket number, IP address, and port information.

  4. On the helpdesk agent computer, open the DaRT Remote Connection Viewer.

    Click Start, click All Programs, click Microsoft DaRT 7, and then click DaRT Remote Connection Viewer.

  5. In the DaRT Remote Connection window, enter the required ticket, IP address, and port information.

    Note
    This information is created on the end-user computer and must be provided by the end user. There might be multiple IP addresses to choose from, depending on how many are available on the end-user computer.
  6. Click Connect.

The IT administrator now assumes control of the end-user computer and can run the DaRT tools remotely.

Note
A file is provided that is named inv32.xml and contains remote connection information, such as the port number and IP address. By default, the file is typically located at %windir%\system32.

To customize the Remote Connection process

  • You can customize the Remote Connection process by editing the winpeshl.ini file. For more information about how to edit the winpeshl.ini file, see Winpeshl.ini Files.

    Specify the following commands and parameters to customize how a remote connection is established with an end-user computer:

    Command Parameter Description

    RemoteRecovery.exe

    -nomessage

    Specifies that the confirmation prompt is not displayed. Remote Connection continues just as if the end user had responded "Yes" to the confirmation prompt.

    WaitForConnection.exe

    none

    Prevents a custom script from continuing until either Remote Connection is not running or a valid connection is established with the end-user computer.

    Important
    This command serves no function if it is specified independently. It must be specified in a script to function correctly.
  • The following is an example of a winpeshl.ini file that is customized to open the Remote Connection tool as soon as an attempt is made to boot into DaRT:

      Copy Code
    [LaunchApps]
    "%windir%\system32\netstart.exe -network -remount"
    "cmd /C start %windir%\system32\RemoteRecovery.exe -nomessage"
    "%windir%\system32\WaitForConnection.exe"
    "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\sources\recovery\recenv.exe"
    

To run the Remote Connection Viewer at the command prompt

  • You can run the DaRT Remote Connection Viewer at the command prompt by specifying the DartRemoteViewer.exe command and by using the following parameters:

    Parameter Description

    -ticket=<ticketnumber>

    Where <ticketnumber> is the ticket number, including the dashes, that is generated by Remote Connection.

    -ipaddress=<ipaddress>

    Where <ipaddress> is the IP address that is generated by Remote Connection.

    -port=<port>

    Where <port> is the port that corresponds to the specified IP address.

    Note
    The variables for these parameters are created on the end-user computer and must be provided by the end user.
  • If all three parameters are specified and the data is valid, a connection is immediately tried when the program starts. If any parameter is not valid, the program starts as if there were no parameters specified.

See Also