remote PC Connectivity

I have through the years had to put up with some over the phone computer support with various family members all over the country. There are some members of my family that are easier to talk to than others about navigating around a computer and relaying to me what is on the screen. So to make a long story shorter I need a software that is easier to use than RealVNC to remotely connect to their computers and troubleshoot the problems myself rather than wasting minutes on the phone talking over each other. This all comes from a recent encounter with the mother in-law that lasted almost an hour and we were exactly where we started. the program needs to somewhat install and configure itself without too much input from the other person.

 

If they have Internet connectivity, I use TeamViewer - Free Remote Access and Remote Desktop Sharing over the Internet

It's free, and all your user has to do is type "www.teamviewer.com" into their web browser, then click a couple icons. It downloads an applet which self-deletes after use; allowing you to initiate a remote session.

I don't know how they could make it any easier!

mnem
*Connected*

 

let me give that a trial shot on my home network from my CF-30 using XP pro to my Dell XPS using Vista Ultimate.

 

ok, so teamviewer works like a charm the first time. all I need is the computer ID number and the password for it and that is all. the test worked great for my home network lets just see how it works outside of it tomorrow. I will check back with you Dwagon. thank you for this suggestion.

 

I have my Mom's desktop setup with LogMeIn.com.... The first one is free... After that they charge... But I have been using it for years with no issues. It allows total contol... Swapping files back and forth... Installations, etc...

I haven't tried anything else yet.... But this one works for me... Works great f you only need to access 1 PC remotely...

 

Teamviewer works like a charm and allows for multiple computers to be set up much like an instant messenger, additionally it allows you to set up unattended access to those computers on your list. simplest I have found yet because we all don't have moms or friends that can configure a VNC program themselves.

 

Several of my commercial clients use logmein123.com; it works great too, but as Rick sez, they're not free after the first session. I've had to make and break 3 or 4 sessions in just one WO while troubleshooting a unit; this would not be cool while trying to fix gramma's PC. Teamviewer is cool in that it is intended as a "shared workspace" for presentations and meetings; think of it like a conference call only for your PC. One of the features it has built in is to create a remote session between any members conferenced in at the moment; this is why I suggested it for Jim. It's beyond easy.

mnem
Roto-rooted!

 

I thought windows had a built in remote service function. Is it another NWAD MS POS?

 

@Busted, Microsoft does has one built in to Windows it is called "Remote Desktop" but for some reason that I do not feel like troubleshooting myself, I could not get my Vista 64 Ultimate Desktop to communicate with my XP pro CF-30 no matter what I tried for about 1 hour. something as easy as Teamviewer that can be set up in less than 2 minutes is exactly what I needed.