Looking for Remote Control Software

[noel]

I'm looking for recommendations for remote control software for XP. I can't use the Pro versions integrated remote control because the computer I need to control is running XP Home. Basically my parents have insisted on buying my grandparents a PC for the last 10 years or so every two years or so, and now that they have high-speed Internet, they appear to have gotten themselves in some type of trouble which is almost impossible for them to accurately describe to me. Ideally I'd just like to remote in, get everything cleaned up and set up, and then have the ability to get in in the future.

I've been looking at some free software called VNC, but I'm also looking for other recommendations. Thanks in advance.

[Winnow]

Tight VNC is free and works great.

I used GoToMyPC for a year but that's subscription based.

It depends on the IP. If your grandparents have a static IP then go with TightNVC for free. If the IP changes, GoToMyPc is a very polished product.

http://www.tightvnc.com/


https://www.gotomypc.com/

The best thing about both of these is that you don't need to install anything on the remote PC. Tight VNC can use an executable Java App that doesn't need to be installed and GoToMyPC is accessed from a webpage. This way you can be anywhere and on anyone's computer and quickly access the computer you want to control.

[archeiron]

I'm looking for recommendations for remote control software for XP. I can't use the Pro versions integrated remote control because the computer I need to control is running XP Home. Basically my parents have insisted on buying my grandparents a PC for the last 10 years or so every two years or so, and now that they have high-speed Internet, they appear to have gotten themselves in some type of trouble which is almost impossible for them to accurately describe to me. Ideally I'd just like to remote in, get everything cleaned up and set up, and then have the ability to get in in the future.

I've been looking at some free software called VNC, but I'm also looking for other recommendations. Thanks in advance.

I am not clear what you are asking. Do you mean something like Terminal Service or Remote Desktop Connection? If you do, isn't there one enabled in XP Home, by going to Startup -> Help and Support Center and clicking the link "Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance". I believe that it requires them to have email or MSN working, but it is one (free and software installation free) option.

[Swiiter]

VNC is nice because it's free, but it seems a little slow. PC Anywhere tends to be faster, has a nice little file transfer utility, as well as offers encryption, integrates into AD authentication and you can set it listen on any port you want (i think). Don't know much about gotomypc, but pca is a one time cost.

[noel]

I am not clear what you are asking. Do you mean something like Terminal Service or Remote Desktop Connection? If you do, isn't there one enabled in XP Home, by going to Startup -> Help and Support Center and clicking the link "Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance". I believe that it requires them to have email or MSN working, but it is one (free and software installation free) option.

Yes exactly.

I was under the false impression that the Remote Assistance software was only available with XP Pro. After further investigation, it seems that I was wrong. I'll try that first. Thanks Arch. Backup plan is TightVNC.

[Kelshara]

Back a few years ago when I worked in Norway I did remote admin of a network on the other side of the country. We used pcAnywhere and it seemed to work fine for us then. Granted, I have no idea how good newer versions of it is.

I used the WinXP Remote Desktop ability while in college to access from computer labs. That seemed fine as well.

[Adelrune Argenti]

I always loathed PCAnywhere. However, I haven't used it for several years. However, the remote control functions in Win XP rock. I use it every day to hit different servers and whatnot.

[valryte]

fk PCAnywhere. It's a piece of shit. VNC is great (Ultra-VNC is the installation I use) and guess what, it's FREEEEE. Thank you AT&T Labs...

[Ajran]

gotta go with vnc also

[Winnow]

I use Tight VNC because I can't install anything on my computer at work. Are there any other versions of VNC out there that have the java app that doesn't require installation (or anything that doesn't require updating the registry like EQ for example)

Tight VNC is good but I don't know enough about the VNC variants to know if there's anything better.

[Kilmoll the Sexy]

We use VNC at P&G. It works pretty well except for the fact that you can't transfer files with it. You could get around that problem pretty easy by using their mail or even by running Netmeeting remotely yourself via VNC. I sure as hell would prefer Remote Desktop though....and XP Home does have it.

[XunilTlatoani]

Nothing like saying something that's already been said 10 times, but I would say to go with TightVNC too.

The Remote Desktop built into windows sucks. Half the time I don't even get the e-mail invitation from the host. It's such a PITA.

Just make sure you don't have them install VNC as a service...it is password protected, but I wouldn't recommend leaving it on all the time. Just have them start the server from the start menu whenever you need to use it.

[Winnow]

We use VNC at P&G. It works pretty well except for the fact that you can't transfer files with it.

Tight VNC transfers files:



Did you mean something different?