Remote control software

[M0RPH]

Is there something for remote control that's easier than Remote Desktop in Windows? I'm trying to help someone fix a computer issue and they are very bad with computers. I've looked at instructions for setting up RD and don't think I could get through that with them.

They are running XP but I'm not sure if it's Professional or what version. I could connect from any version of Windows as I have them all here on different computers and multi-boot. I need to connect over the Internet of course. Thanks.

 

[boran]

at work we use teamviewer. I doubt it is free tho.

 

[thomasstuart]

UltraVNC is a powerful, easy to use and free software that can display the screen of another computer (via internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it, right from your current location. If you provide computer support, you can quickly access your customer's computers from anywhere in the world and resolve helpdesk issues remotely! With addons like SingleClick your customers don't even have to pre-install software or execute complex procedures to get remote helpdesk support.

 

[MStele]

lol that sounds more like an advertisement than a suggestion. I guess in the end they are both the same thing

 

[M0RPH]

Looks like UltraVNC is free and it sounds perfect, so I'll be trying that one. Thanks.

 

[BlueWeasel]

at work we use teamviewer. I doubt it is free tho.

Teamviewer does have a version that is free for non-commercial use. It has replaced RDP and UltraVNC for remote control of my home computers.

 

[bobbismal]

I use logmein.com You can set up seperate networks, one for yourself and one for people you need to take control of their PC to fix i.e. mom, sister, dad....

 

[sonoma1993]

Looks like UltraVNC is free and it sounds perfect, so I'll be trying that one. Thanks.

ultravnc is nice to use but if things havent changed since i last used it, you still need to forwards ports for ultravnc to work if your going to access the computer across the internet. Also, if your accessing the user computer from the internet, need to know their public IP address unless you setup a dynamic dns for their network. I use logmein since you can install a agent on the user computer. then log into your account on logmein website, and access the computer that way. No need to worry about forwarding the correct ports to the right internal IP address and having to remember if a user external IP address has changed.

 

[ShawnD1]

Is there something for remote control that's easier than Remote Desktop in Windows?

Quick answer is no. Remote Desktop's configuration is as simple as remembering an IP address and login information. VNC is much harder to use and it's orders of magnitude slower.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

I use logmein.com You can set up seperate networks, one for yourself and one for people you need to take control of their PC to fix i.e. mom, sister, dad....

I'll second logmein.com.

 

[M0RPH]

Quick answer is no. Remote Desktop's configuration is as simple as remembering an IP address and login information. VNC is much harder to use and it's orders of magnitude slower.

There's something I'm not clear on. Remote Desktop only came with XP Pro right? So if ther person Im trying to help only has XP Home, I'd have to use something else, correct?

 

[M0RPH]

I use logmein.com You can set up seperate networks, one for yourself and one for people you need to take control of their PC to fix i.e. mom, sister, dad....

This looks nice and it looks like I'd be able to do everything I need with the free version. Thank you.

 

[M0RPH]

Guys I like the looks of these online services, Teamviewer and Logmein. Looks like they both have free versions. Has anyone used both and can give a quick comparison?

 

[lagvoid]

I'll second logmein.com.

Third logmein.com

Previously used ultravnc for a number of years, but it became more difficult to deploy and manage when users replaced routers etc. Logmein maintains a list of all computers being managed and simply 'works' without having to portforward or configure anything on the client computer.

 

[Czar]

Crossloop is perfect, designed for remote techsupport, very easy to work with

+ you can automaticly charge people money

 

[x-alki]

I have used radmin in the past. At times it could be a little laggy but did what I needed it to. It used to be free but now I see they charge for it. 30 day free trial. http://www.radmin.com/

 

[country2]

Teamviewer here

 

[ShawnD1]

There's something I'm not clear on. Remote Desktop only came with XP Pro right? So if ther person Im trying to help only has XP Home, I'd have to use something else, correct?

Yes you need either XP Pro or Vista Business to be controlled by remote desktop. The remote desktop client is on all versions of Windows of Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.

This and dynamic disks are why I bought XP Pro and Vista Business

 

[Muse]

at work we use teamviewer. I doubt it is free tho.

I'm using Teamviewer on my LAN, and it's free. Works OK. Haven't tried it yet over the Internet. Windows computers.

I want to be able to use it (or something similar) to access one of my home systems remotely by the internet using a Mac. I downloaded something to install on the Mac but security on that machine is preventing me from installing it. I tried dealing with the people who administer the Macs (it's a volunteer gig that I do), but didn't get far. Is there an easier way? I got a message concerning wanting a password (administrator, I guess), which I don't have, of course.