MSTSC crash on connect

i had similar problem, try this:

1. remove content of C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache
2. log off, log on

don't ask why... it just did the trick for me.

I know this really doesn't solve the problem, but more works around it, but you may want to see this serverfault post. Alternative Remote Desktop Software.

The only other thing I would do is rollback from SP3, I have heard other (all-be-it antidotal), stories of people not liking SP3 for various reasons. This however may not be an option.

I found another answer to this! If you are trying to connect to any computer using Windows XP Remote Desktop and keep getting a crash error after clicking 'connect' this is the solution.

Run CCleaner! Or run Disk Cleanup...

I spent about 2 hours on this issue, and after running CCleaner and disk cleanup I had NO ISSUES!! sorry to bring this thread back to life but this is the number 3 solution on google...