Windows Server Instances need Virtualized Graphics Adapter (for VNC / CRD)

[cea...@thedevexpert.com]

For the last day or so I have been trying to get both:

• Chrome Remote Desktop
  or
• VNC (various versions)

to work on the GCE Windows images (both 2012 & 2008). 

None of them can produce an image. Connection-wise, everything works, but when you get in, you are presented with a black screen. I did some digging around, and I believe the cause is that there is no graphics adapter on the Windows system (not even a virtualized one), and there's no way to even add one.

Given that RDP is support is lacking in the Google-sphere (*cough* Chromebook), I think it's crucial that this issue is addressed! Hopefully by Google including a (virtualized?) graphics adapter driver on it's Windows images!

[Alex Gaysinsky]

Hi Ceaton,

We have an RDP plugin for Chrome and also built-in support in Developer console (RDP button in the instances listing). You need to use Chrome browser to use the plugin/RDP button. 

Here's a relevant RDP extension in Chrome store: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-rdp/cbkkbcmdlboombapidmoeolnmdacpkch

And here is relevant documentation: https://cloud.google.com/compute/docs/operating-systems/windows#logging_into_a_windows_virtual_machine_instance

Please give it a try and let us know if it worked for you.

-Alex

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Alex Gaysinsky | Product Manager | gays...@google.com | 310-406-4298

[cea...@thedevexpert.com]

Hi Alex,

   Thanks for the response. Yeah, I'm aware of the RDP plug-in, unfortunately it isn't the most responsive or well-built plug-in. I've had much better luck in terms of remote desktop performance via VNC or Chrome Remote Desktop (on non-GCE boxes), which is why I've been trying so hard to get either to work, and why I posted this potential solution (not 100% if it'll work) - assuming Google could look into it.

   I presume that since both CRD and VNC have the same issue (black screen) that it's probably related to the same underlying issue (no graphics adapter), which may or may not be something Google techs could add to the VMs for Windows... dunno.

Anyways, yeah, I'm not looking for immediate resolution, just something I had hoped worked out of the box.

[Advisor Joao]

Hello Christopher,

Thank you for your kind feedback. I second Alex's response of the Chrome extension. I've been using myself and I prefer it over the windows rdp client.

I suggest you file for a feature request on the GCE public tracker

https://code.google.com/p/google-compute-engine/issues/list

This way, you and others can get updates. If you want, you can adapt the template below to create your feature request:

Request Description:

Current Functionality:

Desired Functionality:

Business Need:

Sincerely,

Joao

[Christopher Eaton]

Thanks Joao, I'll do that.
For anyone that cares, here's the feature request: https://code.google.com/p/google-compute-engine/issues/detail?id=184