Remote Desktop Slow Logon

[Monte Heeren]

I have updated our Windows 2000 servers to Windows 2003 servers. Now when I logon using Remote Desktop, the logon has a 10 second delay. I am running mstsc.exe version 5.2.3790.3959 on the Windows 2003 server.
Weird thing is if I remote desktop into my Windows 2003 Domain Controller, Remote Desktop is fast, like it was on Windows 2000.

I've experimented with RDP settings on the client and the server. Do not know why the Remote Desktop Connection is slow on all my Windows 2003 boxes, except the Domain controller. Any suggestions?

Monte.

[Anshumali]

We can try bouncing/ resetting RDP on slow Server. Does NW delay come into picture?

[Monte Heeren]

Anshumali, Thank you for the reply.

I have rebooted these servers and still no luck. I do not think the NW comes into play.

It seem like some kind of auththentication is trying to apply. Is there a way I can log what is happening when I log in thru RDP?
Monte.

[Marc Carney]

When you log into a DC it would be the DC itself that is checking your credentials. When logging onto non-DC machine, a call is made in the background to the DC which will create some slight delay.

Are your DC's faster machines than the other servers. Would take longer to log in on a busy or slower spec' server.

[Monte Heeren]

Marc,
No, our DC is the same speed as the other machines that I'm logging on to.
Is there a way to log the logon process?

Monte

[Jon Finley]

Try either connecting in using FQDN, or IP address, and see if it makes a difference.

Jon

[Monte Heeren]

Jon,
Thank you for the reply.
I tried the FQDN. The login page appears imediately, but after I logon, I still get the 12 second delay before the screen appears.

When I RDC into my domain controller, I do not have the 12 second delay.

Monte.

[Jon Finley]

The logon account you're using... Is it a domain account, or a local admin account.

If it's a domain account, try logging on with the local admin account and see if the delay is still there.

Could be related to a script or user level GPO trying to apply and timing out.

Jon

[Monte Heeren]

Jon,
Logged in using the Admin account, and still have the same delay. Its really driving me nuts! On Windows 2000, we did not have a problem. It seems to be Windows 2003 Server related.

Monte

[Paul van Peperstraten]

Hi Monte
We just had a simulair problem. Are your workstations at a remote site and if so are you running a vpn? We solved our problem by updating to the latest NIC drivers. Also a drive mapping that points to a non existing share causes a delay. Hope this helps you.

[Monte Heeren]

Paul,
Thank you for your reply.
We are not at a remote site.
We were running Windows 2000 server. After I installed Windows 2003 server, I updated all the servers with gigabit eithernet cards and drivers. Don't understand why I have the delay with Remote Desktop. If I Remote Desktop into the Domain Controller, the response is quick. Any other machine there is a 15 second delay. I do not have any drive mappings.

This is driving me nuts!!!

Monte.

[Vincent Br]

First: Sorry for kicking this old topic up!

I've got exactly the same problem as the topic starter and was wondering if anyone knows an solution.

When trying to logon over RDP, the logon screen appears, but after filling in a username and password it hangs for exactly 12 seconds. We have 2 terminal servers and both have the same problem.

First I thought it could be a policy, but without using any policys it still has the 12 sec delay.

Any suggestions?

[Monte Heeren]

Vincent,
I ended up re-installing the operating system on my servers and running windows update. The RDC is quick now.

[Vincent Br]

Thank you Monte Heeren!

After some more research I found out that it hangs on windows/system32/mpnotify.exe
When a users tries to logon, winlogon.exe should end the mpnotify.exe process. (which took 12 seconds)

This is what I did to remove the delay:
Right click on mpnotify.exe:
Properties -> Security -> System -> Full Control -Deny
The server still works stable and I haven't found any problems after blocking the access to mpnotify for System.

I know it's to late for you, but maybe it's the solution for other people.