Remote Desktop (XP into VistaHome Premium)

[medsdoctor]

Hi,
I have two computers that need to linkup.

Computer#1 - Downstairs
Laptop (runing XP) linked to my 42" plasma.

Computer#2 - Upstairs
Desktop (running Vista Home Premium)
This is the computer that has the TV card and that can record show - much
like a "poor-man's Tivo" but not linked to any large screen dispay.

Now -- I would like to wirelessly network the two computers, NOT JUST TO
TRANSFER FILES...but rather to be downstairs at my Laptop (XP) and access the
desktop (Vista Home Premium) though Remote Access and watch on the 42" Plasma
what ever the Desktop recored.

Is this possible to be done with just Windows alone? (especially with the
afore mentioned operating systems)
Is this possible to be done with add'l software (gotomypc or pcanywhere or
whatever....is there one that will work better then the other?

Can somebody provide some insight?
Thanks in advance,
medsdoctor.

 

[jimmuh]

I've only used the various busines / corporate versions of Vista, so am not
absolutely sure about this, but I think that you can NOT use the remote
desktop client on your XP computer to control the Vista computer because the
Vista Home Premium computer can't support RDP.

However, you can download UltraVNC from

http://www.uvnc.com/

and install it on both systems. (For your needs you'd put the server on your
Vista system and the client on your XP system.) You certainly don't need to
purchase software like the commercial products you mentioned. UltraVNC,
configured properly, is probably more secure than either of the products you
mentioned -- and it's free (Open Source).