Remote control of computers

Wallet depleter is off to uni and I'm looking at remote control software just in case of any difficulties with her laptop (Win7).

Have looked at Ammyy and Teamviewer, which are both free.

Anyone used either or have any thoughts on them or any other remote access software (which I�m hoping not to have to use) that I should consider.

Thanks

Teamviewer is dead easy to use.... no install is even needed.

On the Teamviewer downloads page, download the "TeamViewer Quick Support" file and place it on her desktop. On your machine, download the "Teamviewer full version".

If she needs help, she simply double clicks the file on her desktop and it generates an ID (always the same) and a 4 figure password (random and different each time). She gives those two bits of information to you over the phone. Then you fire up the full version (when you double click it, it will ask if you want to install it or not (up to you)), once loaded it will be waiting for the remote ID and password. Type in the ones you've been given and that's it... remote control done.

+1 to jhurrels's post.

I have used Teamviewer a few times to help friends out and it is easy to use.

If a pc is set to require a log-on when restarting can that be accomplished with a remote assistance? And even if a log-on is not required doesn't a remote assistance link have to be re-established by a user whose pc is being fixed after a re-start? These would certainly require a form of live communication between the local and remote users.

I've used Windows Remote Assistance and it works really well except for very slight delays with mouse pointer movements but re-starting the remote pc required the user to re-establish the link in order to continue the work. Messages could be sent via Live Messenger to the remote user if, for example, I was going to restart the machine, it was necessary to insert a disc into the cd drive, or a user name/password was required.

Using Windows Remote Assistance and Live Messenger worked really well and it was not necessary to have a telephone link.

I use crossloop
free, just works (even through firewalls both ends), and secure enough (they have to give a session password).

In reply to a post by 4M2:

Using Windows Remote Assistance and Live Messenger worked really well and it was not necessary to have a telephone link.

With TeamViewer You only need to use the telephone to communicate the ID and Password, once communication is established via TeamViewer you can communicate with built-in chat, audio or video.
As far as �If a pc is set to require a log-on when restarting� is concerned, this can be achieved only if both , or more, pcs� have TeamViewer Full version installed and set to start before Windows load, which can be set in the Options menu.

In a student shared house scenario you really should use a user login on a PC, even if just to stop friends doing silly tricks on the PC

Teamviewer, all you need to exchange is the password once you know the machines unique ID, easy enough in a sms, and no special NAT rules are needed either

In reply to a post by scopio:

In reply to a post by 4M2:

Using Windows Remote Assistance and Live Messenger worked really well and it was not necessary to have a telephone link.

With TeamViewer You only need to use the telephone to communicate the ID and Password, once communication is established via TeamViewer you can communicate with built-in chat, audio or video.
As far as �If a pc is set to require a log-on when restarting� is concerned, this can be achieved only if both , or more, pcs� have TeamViewer Full version installed and set to start before Windows load, which can be set in the Options menu.

So an unattended remote machine that required a log-on after a restart would still be inaccessible locally. Or are you saying that TeamViewer Full Version would log-on and load Windows on the unattended remote machine automatically if such settings were made in the Options menu?

+ 1 for teamviwer.

It's great stuff If anything worth needing your help goes wrong it'll probably be along the lines of 'the laptop wont turn on.' So teamviewer wont be too much use.

The uni should have laptop support too.

Teamviewers the easiest one really.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Tue 11-Sep-12 03:59:15)

In reply to a post by Mikey2:

Wallet depleter...

Like it.

Team viewer sound good from the comments above.

I can also recommend Logmein, From Logmein.com. It is free and you can set it all up in advance. Works a treat for full remote control. For a trial period you will have the pro version, which lets you do all sorts of extra things. If you have it enabled the whole time, you can do almost anything including re-booting the computer.

In reply to a post by 4M2:

So an unattended remote machine that required a log-on after a restart would still be inaccessible locally. Or are you saying that TeamViewer Full Version would log-on and load Windows on the unattended remote machine automatically if such settings were made in the Options menu?

If the full version of Teamviewer is set up in both and the remote computer is set up as a "partner" with TeamViewer to start up with Windows, yes you can log on to the remote computer from your computer. You can even copy and paste from one pc to the other. I recommend you watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J0xlqMqh38&feature=p...

But as mentioned in other posts above, the remote pc has to be powered on! What teamViewer cannot, obviously do, is physically turn on a pc.

And yes, the uni should have an ICT department who can assist students with their pcs', at least the uni my daughter is enrolled have been helpful in this department.

In reply to a post by scopio:

If the full version of Teamviewer is set up in both and the remote computer is set up as a "partner" with TeamViewer to start up with Windows, yes you can log on to the remote computer from your computer. You can even copy and paste from one pc to the other...

But as mentioned in other posts above, the remote pc has to be powered on! What teamViewer cannot, obviously do, is physically turn on a pc.

So after a restart if using the TeamViewer Full Version on an unattended remote pc one can log-on to that pc from a local pc and that would require both a predefined unchanging password and "Start TeamViewer with Windows" being selected on the remote pc - sounds good

In reply to a post by scopio:

So after a restart if using the TeamViewer Full Version on an unattended remote pc one can log-on to that pc from a local pc and that would require both a predefined unchanging password and "Start TeamViewer with Windows" being selected on the remote pc - sounds good

Absolutely correct.

In reply to a post by scopio:

In reply to a post by scopio:

So after a restart if using the TeamViewer Full Version on an unattended remote pc one can log-on to that pc from a local pc and that would require both a predefined unchanging password and "Start TeamViewer with Windows" being selected on the remote pc - sounds good

Absolutely correct.

That's really handy because restarting a remote unattended machine has always be a problem for me using Windows Remote Assistance/Live Messenger both in terms of re-establishing the internet link to the remote machine and the potential difficulty with a log-on - of course a Windows log-on can be disabled for the duration of a remote assist if need be and that can be done from a local machine.

In reply to a post by scopio:

Windows log-on can be disabled for the duration of a remote assist if need be and that can be done from a local machine.

Once a link is established with the remote machine you have complete control of it, except for the physical input of, for example inserting a CD/DVD into the drive or connecting a printer cable etc.
The other advantage is that you can communicate with the person at the remote machine via the inbuilt audio and video panel just like if you were on Skype.

In reply to a post by scopio:

"Start TeamViewer with Windows" being selected on the remote pc - sounds good

To clarifty this point the manual states;
" Remote reboot
Log off: Logs the current Windows user account off at the remote computer. You can now log back into any Windows user account.
Reboot: Restarts the remote computer.
Note: As soon as the remote computer has been restarted, a dialog box will be automatically displayed. You can then re-establish the TeamViewer connection.
Reboot in safemode: Restarts the remote computer in safe mode with network drivers."

In reply to a post by scopio:

In reply to a post by scopio:

"Start TeamViewer with Windows" being selected on the remote pc - sounds good

To clarifty this point the manual states;
" Remote reboot
Log off: Logs the current Windows user account off at the remote computer. You can now log back into any Windows user account.
Reboot: Restarts the remote computer.
Note: As soon as the remote computer has been restarted, a dialog box will be automatically displayed. You can then re-establish the TeamViewer connection.
Reboot in safemode: Restarts the remote computer in safe mode with network drivers."

That's good since working on a remote unattended pc can often involve a restart, e.g. re-installation of programs, Windows updates, malware disinfection, etc. etc. Restarting a remote unattended modem/router would also be feasible from the GUI also I guess, although obviously one would not want to risk disabling the remote pc�s network adaptor if working on any internet connection problems.

Thanks for the info - I really appreciate it

Edited by 4M2 (Thu 13-Sep-12 13:01:47)

Teamviewer I've not used, but have found the free version of Logmein to be very good.

One other thing I would suggest - BACKUPS!

Sign up for Dropbox and make sure it gets used, otherwise sooner or later you will hear the cries of anguish when month's worth of work gets lost.

In reply to a post by scopio:

Restarting a remote unattended modem/router would also be feasible from the GUI also I guess, although obviously one would not want to risk disabling the remote pc�s network adaptor if working on any internet connection problems.

Thanks for the info - I really appreciate it

As with any remote assistance application, doing anything that would totally disconnect the remote computer from the internet would result in the connection between local and remote computers to cease! Not worth taking the risk!!

Can files also be transferred between the local and remote pc's if using TeamViewer or would one have to use ftp or another 3rd party file storage facility?

Edited by 4M2 (Thu 13-Sep-12 13:36:56)

In reply to a post by 4M2:

Can files also be transferred between the local and remote pc's if using TeamViewer or would one have to use ftp or another 3rd party file storage facility?

Yes absolutely, you can either use the in-built widget or just use drag and drop!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded...

In reply to a post by scopio:

In reply to a post by 4M2:

Can files also be transferred between the local and remote pc's if using TeamViewer or would one have to use ftp or another 3rd party file storage facility?

Yes absolutely, you can either use the in-built widget or just use drag and drop!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded...

That's great - just like having the remote computer on the LAN, guess if running Win7 on both pc's then a HomeGroup or WorkGroup would have to be set up. File transfers can be trickey between Win7 and XP though with a WorkGroup set up - but perhaps TeamViewer overrides all that?

Edited by 4M2 (Thu 13-Sep-12 15:59:37)

Haven�t tried it between Windows 7 and XP, but I have tried it between 2 Windows 7 and Windows 8CP and the experience was like if I copy and paste on one and the same computer!

Thanks everyone.

Have set up Teamviewer and online backup, plus will set a backup to her space on the uni system, so hopefully will not have any, I've lost my essay etc calls. Had already set up password on laptop and have installed Prey, just in case.

In reply to a post by Mikey2:

Thanks everyone.

Have set up Teamviewer and online backup, plus will set a backup to her space on the uni system, so hopefully will not have any, I've lost my essay etc calls. Had already set up password on laptop and have installed Prey, just in case.

All very wise and peace of mind!

Post deleted by scopio
CORRECTION
Forget what I said about not starting TeamViewer with Windows! This was wrong!
TeamViewer MUST start with Windows otherwise the shortcut will not work and TeamViewer will require to be uninstalled and then reinstalled!
So do leave a tick in the Start TeamViewer with Windows in the Options General tab!
If you are not using TeamViewer to remote control a pc but just working on the local pc, you can EXIT TeamViewer temporary in the Notification area tray! If you then need to start TeamViewer you can do so from the shortcut or Start Menu!

Apologies for any confusion caused.

Edited by deleted (Sat 15-Sep-12 11:23:26)

I use it across three computers-

HP Pavilion tower - Vista

Acer Laptop - W7

Acer Netbook - XP

Another use is to give a larger screen and full keyboard to the Netbook (9 inch screen) by connecting the tower with its 19 inch screen and full keyboard.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

Another use is to give a larger screen and full keyboard to the Netbook (9 inch screen) by connecting the tower with its 19 inch screen and full keyboard.

That is an unintended advantage, but one that can be very uselful!
Thanks for the info.

Morning Scopio

Other "unintended" advantages are to access facilities on the two WiFi PCs that are not available on the HP tower, for one reason or another.

I can place one or t'other portable in different locations and use them to compare what other WiFi circuits are operating in the vicinity, using inSSIDer for example.

Similarly to make use of their built-in cameras to monitor items temporarily, the netbook particularly because of its relatively small size. There is distinct loss of quality; but ...

Slightly different is that I have some different software across all three, so I can access the appropriate one to make use of such software, assuming of course that the relevant PC is operating.

As you rightly point out, there are many advantages in being able to access a pc remotely on any given scenario.
The other advantages are that you can access your computer from your mobile devices too, such as iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and be able to remotely access Samsung smartphones and tablets with the appropriate software installed in the device.

Just to clarify question I have been asked about TeamViewer, �how to reconnect with the remote/host computer from the local/client computer after a restart on the remote computer?�
It is inevitable that the remote computer will disconnect from the internet while it is performing a restart, this is normal, and the remote screen will disappear from the local computer! Once the remote computer has restarted, and TeamViewer and Windows has loaded on the remote computer, this may take a few seconds, direct internet connection between the two computers can be re-established again.
On the local computer, the green light would have changed to orange whilst the internet connection between the computers is temporarily lost, then it will change to green prompting the local computer to reconnect. Press the connect button on the Remote Control panel, may have to try a few times, to re-establish the connection and enter the Predefined password for the remote computer again and press Log on, and hey presto, you are at the Windows log on screen of the remote computer ready to continue with your assistance!
Hope this helps to clarify �how to reconnect with the remote/host computer from the local/client computer after a restart on the remote computer?�