Remote Computer

[IGWright]

I'm gonna be going away at Christmas and I wanted to be able to access my computer (desktop) during that time. I understand that there are websites where you can log you computer on and then access it from another computer.

Has anyone every tried this?


Ian:smokin:

[dpd]

^^ Sounds scary. You could try VNC, but not sure of the cost.

[IGWright]

Phil O'Keefe pointed out that XP has a remote already built into it. I'm gonna investigate.


Thanks,


Ian:smokin::banana:

[EC_Beast]

OK, IGWright, there are several ways to remote in. Let me explain them. The way I prefer it is using Remote Desktop that's ONLY built in to XP Pro. Right click "My Computer" click "Properties" then click the "Remote" tab. There you should see an option at the bottom you can check that says "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer". Ok, so assuming you have Pro, the next step to connect is another machine that is either any form of Xp, or anything 98 and above. You can install remote desktop from microsoft.com (for accessing only, not for recieving) and you're now ready to connect. However you need the IP. Since a lot of ISP's use dynamic IP's they frequently change, maybe every other day, maybe every week or so...maybe sooner. So to determine your IP go to whatismyip.com. Write is down, and enter that number in the remote desktop funtion, click connect, and you'll enter your user name and password. Now, let's assume you don't have XP Pro...there are a few option. You can get Timbuktu, which will allow shared control or single control, but you do have to open a series of ports on your router, or you can try some of the other commercial stuff out there. I PREFER Remote Desktop because I have my server on a program called No-IP, where it updates a domain with any new IP. So instead of like xx.xxx.xx.xxx, I have something like blahblah.no-ip.org to enter in my Remote Desktop. Any other specific questions you have just drop me a line. Later

[IGWright]

Thanks EC. Thorough and exact. I do have XP Pro and I've set everything up as you suggested. I'm gonna go to the local Library tomorrow and test it.


Ian:smokin:

[Justin]

Keep in mind, if you're machine is behind a router, you need to point your remote desktop client at the router's ip address. (This is probably the ip address any website will tell you that you are connecting from, since they can only see your router, not your actual machine)

The router needs set up so that the port for Remote Desktop is open, and forwarded to the ip address the router has assigned to your machine. (the address used inside your LAN)

[IGWright]

Thanks Justin.:smokin:

[EC_Beast]

Good call, Arbiter. The port forward will have to be '3389', and then forward it to what ever computer you're connecting to. To make sure your router will always point to your computer, assign it a static IP with in the router by using a MAC address or whatever. Any problems, lemme know. LATA]

-Steve

[IGWright]

I set everthing up as suggested and tried from a friends Laptop, but no luck.

My specs are thus:

Host:
-
- Desktop
- 5 Hardware Profiles
- 5 User Profiles
- The default User Profile has a password, the others don't.
- Norton Firewall

Client:
- Laptop
- Router

[IGWright]

I set everthing up as suggested and tried from a friends Laptop, but no luck.

My specs are thus:

Host:
- XP Pro SP2
- Desktop
- 5 Hardware Profiles
- 5 User Profiles
- The default User Profile has a password, the others don't.
- Norton Firewall

Client:
- XP Home
- Laptop
- Router

I'm guessing here, but perhaps the client router is the problem?


Ian:smokin:

[Justin]

Could be the firewall too. You'll have to set it up to allow traffic in on the port for Remote Desktop.

[EC_Beast]

You HAVE to turn off the Norton firewall. If you forwarded the port to your local computer IP it will be something like 3389 to 3389 IP 192.168.1.100...So if you've done that all right, the Norton firewall will fudge you over hardcore...guranteed. To turn it off simply go into your Security Center, and select firewall, and turn it off PERMANTLY. If you don't set it like that it'll kick on everytime you restart, and thusley you can't use Remote Desktop :( If you're still having trouble send me a message. But again, the two most important parts are NO FIREWALL and forwarded port 3389 to your local IP.

[EC_Beast]

Oh, I forgot to mention; To test if it's the client end, I can give you my domain to see if you can connect to it later on.