Remote Assistance
 

Been trying to get into my mum's PC to sort something out for her. Usually I just use MSN messenger and she 'invites' me in. Not been working recently. Just get an error message stating the server is not recognised.

Is there anything wrong with my or my mum's PC?

My old dear lives 300 miles away and she's very PC illiterate so I cant just nip round or talk her thru over the phone want I want her to do.

Also, is there any other way I can control my mum's PC from my PC?

Thanks in advance.

AV8

I was going to try the MSN messenger route the other day but found that the 'remote admin' feature isn't supported on Win2K platforms !! (Someone correct me if I am wrong in this but I don't believe it's an inbuilt function as with XP)

So I tried this - TightVNC (see last post) ;

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...light=tightVNC

It worked very well albeit slightly slow even with the most efficient settings wrt compression. Mind you I'm on 2M, remote end 256K. Give it a try it's free.

Will do, thanks:ok:

try www.logmein.com

You both need to install a small bit of software. Only you will need an account (it's free) and providing the other computer is connected to the net you'll be able to log in.

I use it from work now and then to get on to stuff from my home pc.

I found the best solution for managing my dad's PC remotely was insisting he bought XP Professional and a broadband router. I VPN in and can use remote desktop connection to log in. Works a treat - I can log in as him, taking over his desktop to find the problems.

BW

Thanks for the replys. Unfortunately I've been too busy recently to get round to it. Must do it soon though!

Cheers

AV8

Just for everyone's info:
 

Finally got MSN Messenger remote assistance working. Turns out my old dear had a firefall running (seems so obvious now!) which provented me from connecting. Diabled the firewall and it worked a treat.

Couldn't really get to grips with with logmein.com but thanks for your suggestion anyway.

Happy hacking!

AV8

For future reference...
 

...once you have checked for firewalls etc stopping access when you are trying this its worth checking with the ISP at both ends.

I found out I could not use VNC to remote admin my parent's PC because Virgin block access to the ports VNC use as they consider VNC to be a business use. Funnily enough they do not advertise their service as a restricted internet package.

One of my clients is on AOL and they too blocked ports on certain remote access products.

However, I found TightVNC to work - suprisingly.

AOL would never admit to doing such a thing as they too, are a supposedly an unrestricted ISP.