Remotely access your office computer

Owned by Andrew Molloy
Last updated: Mar 05, 2024
3 min read
Faculty looking for the Arch RemoteLab should click here.

Workflow

  1. Use SU's remote desktop service to remote into a virtual Windows desktop, which has access to the G drive, including any files you may keep on the desktop.
  2. Use the virtual Windows desktop to further remote into your office computer (called Double Hop).

Reasons why you may want to double hop

  • You use special fonts, such as the school's Grotesque and Plantin.
  • You use software that is not available on the virtual Windows desktop.
  • You need better performance.
  • You want to leave files open and programs running to return to later.

Reasons why you may not want to double hop

  • You find the virtual Windows desktop is adequate for your work.
  • You want to avoid the extra complexity of working two layers deep.

Steps

Step 1: Connect to an SU virtual Windows desktop.

You have two choices for how to connect. Each link will take you to a new page with instructions. After you connect to the virtual Windows desktop, return to this page and complete step 2.

Which method is best? The web browser is more convenient, but you may notice a slight degradation in graphical fidelity and less options to tweak the connection.

a. Connect through a web browser.
b. Connect using a Remote Desktop App.

Step 2: Connect to your office computer from the virtual Windows desktop (double hop).

 Click here to expand...

  1. While logged into the virtual Windows desktop, in the Windows search box, type 'remote' and click Remote Desktop Connection.
    Make sure you are using the search box of the virtual Windows desktop and not your own computer. 

  2. Enter your office computer's name in the Computer box and click Connect. If you don't know the name, please contact us at archit@syr.edu. 
    1. Staff machine names start with arch-sd-
    2. Faculty machine names start with arch-fd-

  3.  Enter your NetID with an "ad\" in front and password when prompted. 

    Click Yes if you see an Identity/Certificate prompt.

  4. After a few moments you should be logged into a lab computer.

  5. If you need to move files between your own computer and the remote computer:
    1. Use OneDrive or Google Drive.
    2. You can copy/paste text back and forth using Ctrl-C to copy and Ctrl-V to paste (macOS users will need to use Cmd-C and Cmd-V when using the Mac Finder or from the Mac desktop).

  6. When you are done using the lab computer, sign out (don't choose disconnect).

  7. To sign out, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.

  8. After you disconnect from the lab computer, you will still need to sign out from the virtual Windows desktop.

  9. From the virtual Windows desktop, click the Windows start button, then your profile icon, then 'Sign out'.

Troubleshooting - Connection Failure

  • "This computer can't connect to the remote computer."
    • This error could mean your office computer is off.
  • If you get a black screen upon login to your office computer (double hop):
    • Type CTRL-ALT-END (Windows) or CONTROL-OPTION-FN-LEFT ARROW (macOS) to bring up Task Manager on the remote office computer.
    • In Task Manager click More Details, then click File > Run new task.
    • Enter explorer.exe in the box and click Ok.
      • This should bring back the desktop.
    • If that doesn't help, again click File > Run new task.
    • Enter shutdown -r in the box and click OK.
      • This should restart the remote office computer. Close the remote computer window. Wait several minutes and try to connect again.