Computer Question: program to change settings on friends computer in another town?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Computer Question: program to change settings on friends computer in another town?
I am helping a friend who is new to computers. I try to walk him thru stuff over the phone, but it would be so much better if I could take control of his computer from my computer.
Is there any built in (windows) software to do this? (I have XP he has Vista)
If, not, any reliable freeware?
Or, purchase-able at a reasonable price?
ANY help appreciated!
Is there any built in (windows) software to do this? (I have XP he has Vista)
If, not, any reliable freeware?
Or, purchase-able at a reasonable price?
ANY help appreciated!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
There is a program out there called real VNC or something like that. Our computer company at work uses it to work on our computers when we have simple problems. It allows them to remotely control the computer from where they are at. I dont really know how it works, or what it costs, but I know thats what they use...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: eastern nc
I use remote desktop connection to connect to my office network from my laptop, the computer guy set it up when he installed the new network a couple of years ago. I think he said it was available on all XP systems, all you have to do is set it up. Don't know about Vista. When I connect it is like sitting in front of my office computer.
This should do what you want, Good luck.
This should do what you want, Good luck.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 35
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From: Nevada
Real VNC is free and can be downloaded from www.vnc.com. You can also use TightVNC (also free) and can be downloaded from www.tightvnc.com. They are about the same program, but i think the TightVNC is faster and takes up less bandwith.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,946
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From: in the woods of MA
Yes, VNC works well. RemoteDesktop is a little faster, but is only PC, is more fragile and in my experience, harder to keep running. I usually have several computers running at once (Macs and PCs) and I use VNC instead of a KVM switch - if you can stand a bit of lag it works great for that...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: oxon hill, MD U.S.A
if your running windows xp and he's on vista the built in widows program will NOT work i have both setup and i can connect to the XP from the vista but i can not connect to the vista rig from XP because of compatibility issues and half the time i lose connection at the vista end because XP has stopped responding
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,946
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From: in the woods of MA
Originally Posted by 35l911
if your running windows xp and he's on vista the built in widows program will NOT work i have both setup and i can connect to the XP from the vista but i can not connect to the vista rig from XP because of compatibility issues and half the time i lose connection at the vista end because XP has stopped responding
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
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From: Zimmerman, MN
Logmein.com is going to be the best solution. Make sure to get the free one, and don't be fooled by the attempts to get you to upgrade. I use it all the all time.
Got to remember that something like VNC will only work if you have a direct shot to his IP address, which you probably do not (ISP's just hand those out to the users, but they usually aren't static). On the same network, great product. Over the ethers of the internet, probably won't work for you.
Logmein is 100% web based. You go there, create an account. Your friend goes there, logs into your account, and then does an add computer. That will load the client piece on his computer.
now you can log into logmein, see his computer listed, and get remote control of it.
Good Luck.
Got to remember that something like VNC will only work if you have a direct shot to his IP address, which you probably do not (ISP's just hand those out to the users, but they usually aren't static). On the same network, great product. Over the ethers of the internet, probably won't work for you.
Logmein is 100% web based. You go there, create an account. Your friend goes there, logs into your account, and then does an add computer. That will load the client piece on his computer.
now you can log into logmein, see his computer listed, and get remote control of it.
Good Luck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,946
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From: in the woods of MA
Yes, right you are.... using a dynamic dns service would deal with the ISP DHCP address issue, but if the target machine is behind a firewall or router you'd probably still have issues...