i've never used it, never read about it. this thread could be pointless if its really simple.

i've got something I need to look at later, and I really don't want to drive out there... and I also know its gonna be too much of a pain to get them to install any of the VPN stuff that i normally use

for those who have used remote desktop in XP to troubleshoot a clients computer, how hard would you say it is to teach a computer illiterate person to start the service and make sure the firewall allows it? the computer in question isnt behind any kind of router that would cause a problem

remote desktop seems to be perfect for this, but i'm not sure.... if i can teach the guy to get into safe mode, can i teach him to turn it on? (not that safe mode has anything to do with it, just thinking of an equally challenging lesson )

1/14/2009 10:34:28 AM

i use remote desktop exclusively.

i have it up now with all of my work programs and email. I browse tww and other stuff through my local desktop. I like keeping work/play seperate. (that and all of our server/data stuff is in atlanta so its much faster)


as long as there are no router issues setting up the remote desktop should take ~10 minutes and that's generous.

[Edited on January 14, 2009 at 10:37 AM. Reason : add]

1/14/2009 10:36:18 AM

we use crossloop a lot for helping people at jobs sites and at our office in greensboro. it's free and works pretty well. pretty easy and foolproof to install.

[Edited on January 14, 2009 at 10:37 AM. Reason : ]

1/14/2009 10:36:40 AM

I use RDC at work to connect to my home computer to do all my personal stuff/tww. I keep work/play separate, too.

1/14/2009 10:37:26 AM

i also browse the web through my home connection, but i dont use remote desktop cause ive heard its very exploitable.

but are you saying that i can just get the guy to either hit a few things in control panel or start a process in services.msc and give me his IP address and i'm good to go?

1/14/2009 10:37:38 AM

yeah crossloop is cool, im just worried about talking the guy through more installs and downloads and setups. hes not dumb or anything, id rather just use something built in and be done in 4 minutes, haah

1/14/2009 10:38:58 AM

logmein.com is very easy for computer illiterate people to set up

1/14/2009 10:39:37 AM

i should really start installing some sort of VNC stuff with every virus/spyware package that i add for someone.

1/14/2009 10:41:23 AM

If it takes you more than 4 minutes for the person to install and open crossloop, then they shouldn't be using a computer.

1/14/2009 10:41:41 AM

pilgrimshoes had this issue with his mom the other day i think

1/14/2009 10:42:39 AM

eh, its not that the people are really dumb... they just get really really unsure about stuff. like "this one, i click this right... and then i hit okay? what about a desktop icon?" etc etc etc- i'd rather just be in and out, and i'd definitely rather not drive an hour to work for 10 minutes

1/14/2009 10:43:30 AM

I use hamachi. Easy peasy. Make sure Windows firewall is off or allows RDP and you're good to go.

1/14/2009 10:43:51 AM

ok thats enough suggestions. suggestions are cloesd

everyone pick one, or pick remote desktop. i'm only gonna need access to this PC once, keep that in mind.

thanks!

1/14/2009 10:45:21 AM

i second logmein.com as well. Have had to use that a few times and it's been pretty simple.

not sure what it needs on your end, as i was always on the receiving end when using that.

1/14/2009 10:46:52 AM

hah

catcher

1/14/2009 10:47:20 AM

If the user is behind a hardware firewall, RDP will need to be allowed through that as well. Port 3381 I believe...

[Edited on January 14, 2009 at 10:47 AM. Reason : *]

1/14/2009 10:47:45 AM

lulz

1/14/2009 10:50:16 AM

yeah ive been looking since i made the thread and it looks like the exception is set to 3389. this might be the easiest way to do it.

1/14/2009 10:50:21 AM

Yeah 3389. I was close.

1/14/2009 10:51:34 AM

How would one use remote desktop exclusively? Is there some sort of stand-alone remote desktop CD/disk I can boot my computer with?

1/14/2009 11:06:10 AM

so exclusively was probably not the best word. wow you caught me.

1/14/2009 11:09:14 AM

Yeah, this is chit chat.

1/14/2009 11:10:34 AM

no one is safe

1/14/2009 11:11:03 AM

Quote :

"Yeah 3389. I was close."

close enough for this conversation, yep. i appreciate the info

1/14/2009 12:50:01 PM

Quote :

"How would one use remote desktop exclusively? Is there some sort of stand-alone remote desktop CD/disk I can boot my computer with?"

Thin clients use RDP exclusively. And yes, you can also use a PC as a thin client and be in an RDP session exclusively.

1/14/2009 12:52:30 PM

netmeeting's share desktop function is as easy as it gets

"start->run: conf, go to help, go to about, read me the IP address it says there"
[connect]
"k now go to tools->sharing, select desktop, allow control, sit back, and shut up"

1/14/2009 12:53:21 PM

im using the regular ole remote desktop client right now and it was pretty easy. the only hard part was explaining to the other person how to set me up an account, and that wasnt even so bad

1/14/2009 8:49:38 PM

way easy, and now i have access to yet another phony ip address!!!1

1/14/2009 8:54:11 PM

When I was setting this up for a computer shy person, I set up the connection on my computer, saved the connection as a desktop shortcut with all the data filled out, and sent it to the person via email to drag and drop on to their desktop. Two clicks and they're on their work computer.

1/14/2009 9:19:30 PM