Microsoft KB Archive/304689

= Cannot Start a Remote Assistance Session After You Use System Restore =

Article ID: 304689

Article Last Modified on 10/18/2001

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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This article was previously published under Q304689



SYMPTOMS
If a user (Novice) creates a Remote Assistance ticket, and then (before the ticket has expired) uses System Restore to restore the computer to a point before the ticket was created, the Expert will not be able to successfully connect to the Novice and use Remote Assistance. Instead, when the Expert attempts to connect by using Remote Assistance, the following error is generated:

Remote Assistance

Connection could not be established because the invitation has either expired or was cancelled.

NOTE: Novice refers to the person that needs assistance, and Expert refers to the person that provides that assistance.



CAUSE
When you use System Restore to restore to a point before the Remote Assistance Ticket creation, the HelpAssistant account password is reset. The HelpAssistant account is the account that the Expert uses to log on and connect to the Novice's computer.



RESOLUTION
To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods:
 * Use Remote Assistance to create another ticket and send this new ticket to the Expert.
 * Use System Restore to undo the restoration.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
If the Novice starts the Help and Support Center, click Ask for Assistance, and then clicks View invitation status, the Remote Assistance ticket still appears to have an Open status, even though the ticket does not allow the Expert to connect.

For additional information about Remote Assistance, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

300546 Overview of Remote Assistance in Windows XP

Keywords: kberrmsg kbenv kbui kbprb KB304689

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