My elderly dad, who is thousands of miles away and not very computer
literate, and had a very old overtaxed computer, went out and bought a
new Vista machine without asking me, about a year ago, whereas I
prefer XP, which is what I've had.

He would love me to be able to remotely access his computer to fix
what he messes up, occasionally. A year or so ago, as I recall, after
claims to the contrary by several others, I think I concluded that
there was no way to use the normal windows tools to set this up, i.e.,
when you are trying to access a Vista machine from an XP machine (the
other way around will work, I'm told). I think these tools involved
remote desktop and remote assistance, or some names like those. I
cannot find the post.

I also recall several recomendations for various other third party
(free, I think) products that others claimed would work but last time
I was with my dad for a half-day or so, I could not get any of them to
work.

Is there anyone else out there who has accomplished this, i.e. being
able to remotely access a Vista PC via an XP PC? Also, for what it's
worth my XP computer goes through a router whereas his computer is
standalone. Both have high speed access now.

Thanks
Dean

DA wrote:

> My elderly dad, who is thousands of miles away and not very computer
> literate, and had a very old overtaxed computer, went out and bought a
> new Vista machine without asking me, about a year ago, whereas I
> prefer XP, which is what I've had.
(snippage)

TeamViewer is excellent for this. You install the full module on your
computer and you put the Instant Customer Support executable on his desktop
where he can easily find it. It is called TeamViewerQS.exe. When he needs
help, he calls you, double-clicks on the TeamViewerQS.exe, reads you two
sets of numbers, and you're in. No muss, no fuss, no port forwarding, no
worrying about firewalls or routers, etc.

http://www.teamviewer.com

TeamViewer is free for personal use and extremely easy to use for both
parties, particularly the supportee.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Actually, someone at Dll just told me this can even be done with MSN
live. But I imagine what you have recommended is better still, right?

What would be nice is if I could lead him easily thru installing the
executable on his desktop, since I won't be visiting him again for
maybe a year. Is that easy enough? I suppose I couild test it on my
other computer to see what's involved.

Thanks!
D

DA wrote:

> Actually, someone at Dll just told me this can even be done with MSN
> live. But I imagine what you have recommended is better still, right?
>
> What would be nice is if I could lead him easily thru installing the
> executable on his desktop, since I won't be visiting him again for
> maybe a year. Is that easy enough? I suppose I couild test it on my
> other computer to see what's involved.

If you'll re-read my first reply to you, you'll see that the supportee
doesn't need to install anything. All he needs to do is go to TeamViewer's
website, click on the Download tab, then click on the button to download
the Instant Support Module. I usually walk my people through it ("See the
picture of the lady? See the Download tab right above her head? Left-click
on it..." etc.) The only tricky part is finding the TeamViewerQS.exe file
after the download. It will usually be on the Desktop or in My Documents
depending on the browser used. Even my most technically inept relatives can
do this.

Give it a try.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

OMG, you were SOOOOOOO right! Almost idiot proof! I just did in 10
minutes what would normally take 2 hrs trying to lead my dad through
it. This is a godsend for me! How can I thank you?

I hereby elect you my person of the year!

Dean

DA wrote:

> OMG, you were SOOOOOOO right! Almost idiot proof! I just did in 10
> minutes what would normally take 2 hrs trying to lead my dad through
> it. This is a godsend for me! How can I thank you?

I'm so glad that worked for you. I totally get what you're saying about
something taking only a few minutes instead of hours you not needing a
stiff Adult Beverage after trying to help your Dad. ;-)

You're a good son. :-)

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

I was so impressed tha i sent out a mass bcc'd e-mail to friends and
colleagues and mentioned that I got the tip from Elephant Boy
Computers and wanted to bcc you, but could not find your e-mail
anywhere on your site. I imagine it is cleverly hidden from the
prying grasp of spammers, but if you want to tell me where to find it,
I could perhaps have some business for you someday.

Thanks again!
Dean

DA wrote:

> I was so impressed tha i sent out a mass bcc'd e-mail to friends and
> colleagues and mentioned that I got the tip from Elephant Boy
> Computers and wanted to bcc you, but could not find your e-mail
> anywhere on your site. I imagine it is cleverly hidden from the
> prying grasp of spammers, but if you want to tell me where to find it,
> I could perhaps have some business for you someday.

Thank you for your kind words. You are correct that I don't put my email
address on my website. It isn't "cleverly hidden" either. From my FAQ:

*****
Q. Why don't you list your email address on this website?
A. Because of the nature of freelance technical support, people call us when
they need a job done; they don't send an email. The only people who would
benefit from our putting an email address on this website are spammers,
because their spambots will harvest the address. We don't need body part
enlargers. We certainly could use a few million dollars, but we know we're
not going to get it from the cousin of a deposed Nigerian dictator.

Q. Can I call you if I don't live in the Fresno/Clovis area?
A. Since I don't do remote support, you must really mean "Can I call you for
free tech support if I live in [insert name of City, Country, Galaxy
here]". Wow, that would just be so....tacky. Even if you really meant you'd
pay me, I don't take credit cards and I don't do remote support*. So the
answer is "No". See the "Getting Tech Support" section for some
suggestions.

*We are currently in negotiations with Universe B to provide some
specialized services. Contact Glipsnorr on your Blue 19 Channel for details
and updates.
*****

Thanks anyway, and have a nice day.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ