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Remote Desktop Usage Guidelines

Eligibility

All division staff can use the remote desktop client to connect to staff computers in their department.

Student accounts and other departmental shared accounts can not connect to any computer using remote desktop. These accounts can only be used to physically log into the computer.

Remote Computer

Staff should connect to the same computer that they would normally use during the work day. The name of the computer is printed on a white label on the computer. For stand-alone computers, it is located on the front of the tower, usually above the Dell logo. For computers attached to monitors, the label is near the CD drive.

Although it is possible to connect to other computers in the department, this may disrupt other staff member's work.

Computer Power

Computers must remain turned on in order to use remote desktop.

Because many other maintenance activities occur overnight, staff should always leave computers on overnight. In order to save power, the monitor should be turned off when you leave at the end of the day.

Disconnecting Sessions

The disconnect option ends the remote desktop session, but does not actually log you off of the computer. The session can be resumed later by either reconnecting using remote desktop client, or by physically logging into the computer. The session remains exactly as it was when you disconnected, complete with open programs and documents.

Staff should always log off when they are done working, whether they are logging in physically or remotely. The disconnect option does not ensure that work is properly saved and can interfere with the normal maintenance operations of the system.

Locked Computers

If a computer displays the message "This computer is in use and has been locked. Only CWRUADS\xxx or an administrator can unlock this computer." is displayed on a computer's monitor, then there is an active remote desktop session on that computer. The "xxx" in the message indicates the username of the person logged into that session.

The owner of the session can press CTRL-ALT-DEL and log into the computer to resume the session where it left off. If someone else needs to log onto the computer, please contact us for assistance. Do not reboot the computer!