Blank or Black Screen When Remote Control Vista System with VNC

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) allows users to connect and remotely control another computer using a graphical desktop sharing system which based on the RFB protocol. If you run VNC Server from RealVNC, TightVNC or UltraUNC in Windows Vista (assuming you can install and run the VNC Server properly by using various workarounds), and trying to remote VNC connect to the system, you may face a problem where the VNC screen window of the remote computer appears to be black, dark or simply blank.

The VNC appears to be working fine and able to connect to the remote Vista system properly, as VNC client shows connection connected, prompts for password, accepts and login, and then brings up the remote Vista desktop window. However, the error symptom will occur. Users can only see a blank or black screen instead of proper Vista desktop, both in VNC window or full screen.

This Vista blank screen on VNC connection problem is most likely caused by Windows Aero theme or color scheme. The Vista Aero scheme causes the desktop to not transfer over via the VNC connection, thus users initiating the VNC remote control view only a blank or black desktop.

The solution to this VNC Vista black desktop screen problem is easy - simply disable the Windows Vista Aero theme. To do so, right click on black space on desktop of target remote system (the one you want to remote control with VNC, where server is running), choose Personalize. Then click on Windows Color and Appearance link, follow by Open classic appearance properties for more color options link. In the Color Scheme list of options, select non-Aero theme, such as Windows Vista Basic or Windows Classic, then press OK.

If you must want and can’t live without Aero Glass effect, you can try this alternative workaround to get VNC working with Vista without turning off Aero. Install UltraVNC Server on target Vista system (server side to remote control to), then go to User Properties, and untick the Poll Full Screen option.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 am and is filed under Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.