Remote Desktop - User sees what is happening

[Jansen Barbara]

Remote Desktop is a good utility to be used for users working on their
system remotely, however it can be used to troubleshoot problems of a
remote user. I have got a scenario where if I need to help a user, I
need that my user knows what I am doing. I have done testing, which
showed that Windows XP loggs out of that current profile and shows the
list of users.

I tried looking in the group policy but couldn't find any help to
enable the user see what I am doing to solve his problem. The testing
that I am doing is in 'fast switching user' mode, however the scenario
that I require is NT/2000 based login (i.e - enter user and password)
and the will be connected to the domain. My question is: Is it
possible to do this?

Regards
Jansen

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Remote Desktop is a good utility to be used for users working on their
system remotely, however it can be used to troubleshoot problems of a
remote user. I have got a scenario where if I need to help a user, I
need that my user knows what I am doing. I have done testing, which
showed that Windows XP loggs out of that current profile and shows the
list of users.

I tried looking in the group policy but couldn't find any help to
enable the user see what I am doing to solve his problem. The testing
that I am doing is in 'fast switching user' mode, however the scenario
that I require is NT/2000 based login (i.e - enter user and password)
and the will be connected to the domain. My question is: Is it
possible to do this?

Remote Desktop - you are taking over and logging in.
Remote Assistance, you get to see what the user is doing (with their
permission) and ask to take control, if needed. You can - in a domain
environment, set it up to solicit the remote assistance instead of depending
on your end-users for the know-how for asking for it. Also, another option
would be a third party application, such as UltraVNC.

 

[Jansen Barbara]

Shenan,

First of all thanks for your reply. But Remote Assistance only works
by sending an e-mail first, to have assistance. Am I correct? It
Cannot be used by inserting an IP and connecting to that PC. I already
use VNC but would like to check if the same Vnc Scenario can be
applied with Windows XP Remote Assistance/Desktop.

Thanks and Regards
Jansen

 

[Sooner Al]

In a domain or trusted domain environment you can use the Remote Assistance "Offer" functionality.
Note, however, the Novice still has to give you, the Expert, permission to both view and control
their desktop. Go to "Start -> Help and Support" and search on "offer remote assistance" for more
information and/or look at these KB articles for help with that...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308013
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301527
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310629
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306496

If your in a workgroup environment, ie. *NOT* in a domain or trusted domain environment, then look
at this page for help...

http://members.cox.net/ajarvi/RemoteAssistance/RemoteAssistance.html

In both cases (domain or work group environments), you (the Expert) and the Novice must be running
either XP Pro or XP Home.

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...

 

[Jansen Barbara]

Thanks for your help. I've tested it on my workgroup and worked! I
didn't you the link you provided but inserted ‘everyone' in the group
in the group policy. I know, its too risky security wise, but just for
testing. I need to implement it on a domain environment with loads of
restrictions etc. I have 3 questions.
1) Is it possible to enable high quality of display? This remote
assistance colour depth is less than the remote desktop or when using
VNC?

2) Is it possible to enable something from somewhere (might be the
registry) to show the display in full screen mode?

3) Finally, I noticed that if the user press esc. The session will not
terminate. The Expert will continue seeing the screen of the Novice. I
think that if the user wants to cancel the connection, he doesn't want
letting the expert continue seeing his desktop.

 

[Jansen Barbara]

I have some other questions today:

Question 4: Is it possible not being disconnected while switching
user. The majority of occasions, in domain environment users are not
administrators and therefore applications or other settings cannot be
done by their user.

Question 5: Is it possible to switch off the control of the mouse +
keyboard from the novice end.If I log with an administrator account I
don't want the user to have the opportunity to do what he want?