Question : Problem: RDP screen turns black after minimizing and restoring

I'm using Windows 7 and when I remote into a desktop and minimize the screen, when I return to the screen it is completely black. It hasn't timed out or lost it's connection because as I click on each item on the screen it comes back rather than remaining all black.


In build 7000 of Windows 7 I never had this happen but I'm having the issue in 7068. I don't really think this is a problem unique to Windows 7 however but I could be wrong.


Has anybody experienced this before? What did you do to resolve the issue?

Answer : Problem: RDP screen turns black after minimizing and restoring

Cause:  Using a password-protected screen saver can cause this problem. Your applications are still running on the remote computer, but you can no longer use them.
Solution:  Disconnect Remote Desktop Connection, or ask the server administrator to disconnect you.
Solution:  Do not minimize the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box if your computer uses a password-protected screen saver.
Solution:  Do not use a password-protected screen saver on your local computer.


Cause Low Bandwidth and poor Bitmap Caching:
Solution:  Configure bitmap caching
In the Remote Desktop Connection window, click Options.
On the Experience tab, verify that the Bitmap caching check box is selected. Or, to disable bitmap caching, clear the Bitmap caching check box.
Click Connect.

Update RDP to v6.1
Cause:  RDP version incompatibilities
Update Vista:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791/
Update XP:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/

Group Policy Timeout needs to be adjusted:
Cause:  Minimizing RDP window initiates inactivity and policy setting on TS is too low for timoeout
As I know, RDP also have timeout configurations. The settings are in Group Policy.  Use gpedit.msc to set them if you want.

Under the Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Terminal Services\Sessions folder, the following settings can be made:

" Set time limit for disconnected sessions
" Set time limit for active sessions
" Set time limit for idle sessions
" Terminate session when time limits are reached

Under the Local Computer Policy\User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Terminal Services\Sessions folder, the following settings can be made:

" Set time limit for disconnected sessions
" Set time limit for active sessions
" Set time limit for idle sessions
" Terminate session when time limits are reached

How To Use the Group Policy Editor to Manage Local Computer Policy in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307882/en-us

I hope to God one of these works.  I spent a while on this one :P