When a user works remote over a VPN, and uses RDP to connect to a computer in the office, they try to use Communicator to share their screen with someone else.  The other party can see the screen but for the user sharing it blacks out there screen.  All they see is a green outline of their window and the "incontrol" box at the top of the screen.  Both users using Windows XP Pro and Communicator R2.

Should we be able to RDP into a machine and use the screen share in Communicator to share screens?

Hello,

Yes, you will be able to RDP and screenshare as well.

Normally you will be able to seen proper screen however if you are getting black screen that terminal services are not running on computer.

Kindly check on both the computer where you are seeing black.

Click Start> Run> type cmd > on Command prompt type 'net start termservice'

Later try to share desktop and confirm.

Regards

Balu Ilag [MVP-Lync]

If the terminal service was not started, you couldnt establish the remote desktop connection.

Please check whether you can share other programs.

Please also try on another computer to establish remote desktop connection.