I want to connect to my home pc via my laptop at remote loctations. The host pc is behind my linksys router. I can connect with remote desktop connection with my laptop when the laptop is on my LAN by simply typing in the computer name that I wish to make a connection. I understand that I need to set up port forwarding in the router to make the connection from outside my LAN. I have redirected the Internet Port 3389 to Local Port 3389 and pointed it to 192.168.1.100 on my router. When using remote desktop connection I typed in 'isp ipaddress:3389' and I get the remote desktop for my host pc but it has a black screen. I also noted that I cannot ping the address isp ipaddress:3389. I have seen other posts that say to use 192.168.1.100:3389. That does not make sense to me because that address is not valid on the internet. What do I type in the 'Computer' block on the 'remote desktop connection' screen on the client laptop when connnecting from the internet and not on my LAN? Please send any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong to my email. Thanks eb.

It sounds like you have done what needs to be done. "What do I type in the 'Computer' block on the 'remote desktop connection' screen" Your ISP assigned IP address without the port extension. Since you are using Remote Desktop (VPN) then it is already attempting to enter via 3389. For more info see http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003Aug/fea20030828021469.htm. HTH Bryan