How to Install DWG Viewer on Terminal Server

DWG 2009 Viewer is one of the most popular applications for viewing AutoCAD files; however, this application is not supported on terminal server environments. When trying to run the DWG application as a regular user on TS 2003 a number of frustrating security and MSI issues may arise.

After a few hours of sweat and determination I successfully ran this application on windows 2003 terminal server.

Here is how you do it:

1. Logon as an administrator to the Windows 2003 TS

2. Install DWG 2009 Viewer accepting all default setup options

3. After setup is complete, launch the DWG application and make sure it starts successfully without any errors. Then close the application

4. Make sure the following 2 folders were created:

a. C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk

b. %APPDATA%\Autodesk

5. Create a new folder called, for example, "DWGSHARE" on the local terminal server drive and grant the following NTFS permissions:

a. Administrators – Full Control

b. Authenticated Users - Full control

c. System – Full Control

6. Merge the 2 folders noted in section 4 above to one Autodesk folder ,and copy the New Autodesk folder to the DWGSHARE folder

7. Delete the 2 folders from the user profile and from the redirected application data, if applicable

8. Export the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk key using Regedit to a .reg file

9. Edit the exported registry file with notepad , change and replace all values that point to C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk or %APPDATA%\Autodesk to the new "DWGSHARE" folder path

10. Import the edited registry file ,start the application and make sure there are no errors, if so this means you are in the right direction

11. Edit again the exported registry file and now replace the path from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Terminal Server\Install\Software\Autodesk

Note – this Registry key is actually the terminal server "install mode" key, each Registry key is automatically pushed to the Current User hive of each user logging on to the terminal server

12. Import the file to registry, and make sure the following key is replaced correctly and identical to exported file: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Terminal Server\Install\Software\Autodesk

13. Logon to the server with a test user and try to launch the DWG application

Good Luck

Installation check for list NET 2 Web Service Based Product

For Windows 2008 Check list click here

The following document walks you through the steps of verifying the installation pre requisites for products which are based on ASP.NET 2 Web Services

1. Step 1 - Verify that IIS is installed

a. Launch Add /Remove Programs.
Start --> Run --> appwiz.cpl

b. On the left pane, click on 'Add/Remove Windows Components' A 'Please Wait…' message appears.

c. Double Click 'Application Server'.

d. Verify that the following items are selected. If any of these items is not selected, check it.

i. Internet Information Services (IIS) à Common Files

ii. Internet Information Services (IIS) à FrontPage 2002 Server Extensions

iii. Internet Information Services (IIS) à Internet Information Services Manager

iv. Internet Information Services (IIS) à World Wide Web à World Wide Web Service

v. Enable Network COM+ Access

vi. ASP.NET

e. Click OK, Click next and continue with the wizrd.

2. Step 2 – Verify that Microsoft Dot Net Framework is installed.

a. Launch Add /Remove Programs.

Start --> Run --> appwiz.cpl

b. On the left pane, click on 'Change or Remove Programs.

c. Select the 'Show Updates' checkbox (Might take a while to complete…).

d. Browse the list to find 'Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2

If you cannot find this item, you should install .Net FX 2.0 SP 2 from the following link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B2C0358-915B-4EB5-9B1D-
10E506DA9D0F&displaylang=en

3. Step 3 – Verify that your machine is up-to-date.

a. Launch Windows Update Manager

Start --> Run --> wupdmgr
- or -

Browse to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B2C0358-915B-4EB5-9B1D-
10E506DA9D0F&displaylang=en

b. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a full update of your operating system.

4. Step 4 – Verify that ASP.NET 2.0 is registered with IIS.

a. Launch IIS Management Console

Start --> Run --> inetmgr

b. On the left pane, à 'Web Service Extensions'

c. On the right pane, Verify that ASP.NET v2.0.50727 is 'Allowed'.

If the entry exists but is 'Prohibited', click on it and then click on the 'Allow' button.
If the entry does not exist (commonly happens when IIS is installed after the .NET framework is installed), you should re-register ASP.NET with IIS. To do that, run %WINDIR%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\ Aspnet_regiis.exewith –i switch (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc757148(WS.10).aspx)

Preparing Your Windows server for web service based product

Operating System: Windows Server 2008

The following document walks you through the steps of verifying the installation pre requisites for products which are based on ASP.NET Web Services on Windows 2008

1. Step 1 – Perform full windows update and install all important updates.

2. Step 2 - Verify that IIS is installed

a. Launch Add /Remove Programs.
Start --> Run --> servermanager.msc

b. On the left pane, expand 'Roles'

If 'Web Server' exists, skip to step 2. If not, continue.

c. Click on 'Roles'

d. On the left pane, click on 'Add Role'

e. If the 'Before you begin' page is shown, click 'Next'

f. Perform full Windows Update and make sure all important updates are installed.

3. Step 3 – Install .Net Framework 3.5 SP1.

a. Start --> Run --> appwiz.cpl

b. Verify that 'Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1' exists on the list.

If it doesn't, download it HERE and install it.

c. Reboot the server if needed.

Free Desktop Sharing

The free edition of Desktop Central offers remote desktop sharing functionality, which can be used to manage up to 25 desktops.

For more details on Desktop Sharing, refer to the Desktop Sharing topic of the online help documentation.

Active X and Java Viewer

Desktop Central supports accessing a remote desktop either using ActiveX or Java plug-ins. This enables accessing a remote desktop from any browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Flock, etc.

Protect User's Privacy

when connecting to remote computers using Remote Desktop Sharing, the adminstrators have an option to whether get user's permission before connecting to their desktop. Selecting this option would pop up a request window in the user's desktop seeking remote access. This is to ensure that the user's privacy is maintained.

Web-Based Remote Control

Desktop Central provides a web-based access to the remote computers. This means that a remote connection can be established from anywhere and does not require client software to be installed in order to access remote desktops. The administrators can also establish connection through a VPN to take control of a remote desktop.