Windows HP Home and Remote Desktop

[Bruce]

Hi,

Both me and my dad are running Windows XP Home. We both use Comcast. We
live about 130 miles apart, and I quite often have to drive up to his
place to fix or tweak his system.

I heard that I can use Remote Desktop to watch him move about on his
machine, but that I can't operate his machine from mine unless he has XP
Pro. Is this true?

For now, I'd be happy if I could just see see his desktop and tell him
where to navigate and what to click.

In the future, I'd like to be able to operate his machine from mine. If
I don't put XP Pro on his machine, what programs would you recommend that
would allow me to do this? PcAnywhere?

I've been here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx

but am not quit clear on the process. I think this site just tells me
where to get the application Remote Desktop, which it also says is on my
XP Home OS anyway. As a matter of fact, it is under Accessories,
Communications.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[Larry Samuels]

You can use Remote Assistance in XP Home.
You cannot log into an XP Home using Remote Desktop--what you are seeing
under Accessories is the Remote Desktop client which allows you to log into
an XP pro machine remotely.

VNC is a good free alternative to RD if you don't want to upgrade his system
to XP Pro
http://www.tightvnc.com/

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi,

Both me and my dad are running Windows XP Home. We both use
Comcast. We live about 130 miles apart, and I quite often have to
drive up to his place to fix or tweak his system.

I heard that I can use Remote Desktop to watch him move about on his
machine, but that I can't operate his machine from mine unless he
has XP Pro. Is this true?

For now, I'd be happy if I could just see see his desktop and tell
him where to navigate and what to click.

In the future, I'd like to be able to operate his machine from
mine. If I don't put XP Pro on his machine, what programs would
you recommend that would allow me to do this? PcAnywhere?

I've been here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx

but am not quit clear on the process. I think this site just tells
me where to get the application Remote Desktop, which it also says
is on my XP Home OS anyway. As a matter of fact, it is under
Accessories, Communications.

Remote Desktop CLIENT is available on XP home - but it cannot be the server
(or the one being remoted into.)

If you are actually wanting to help him - while he is there - you do have
Remote Assistance.
Otherwise - you would have to use a third party application like UltrVNC or
TightVNC. (Free)

This should get you started..

Overview of Remote Assistance in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300546

Using Remote Assistance to Get Help When You Need It
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/remoteassist/intro.mspx

HOW TO: Obtain Remote Assistance Using Windows Messenger in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306556/

Start a Remote Assistance Session from Windows Messenger
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/remoteassist/viaim.mspx

HOW TO: Provide Remote Assistance In Response to Windows Messenger
Invitation in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306800/

HOW TO: Obtain Remote Assistance by Sending an E-mail Message in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306757/

HOW TO: Provide Remote Assistance in Response to an E-mail Invitation in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306791/

Start a Remote Assistance Session by Sending a File
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/remoteassist/viafile.mspx

Step-by-Step Guide to Remote Assistance
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/rmassist.mspx

Provide Remote Assistance When Using a NAT Device
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/tips/jackson1.mspx