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Does anybody know how to set up VNC / remote desktop on a home PC environment?
- Thread starter GG-Duo
- Start date
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JoshuaJSlone
Member
For our home network I use RealVNC, and it's pretty easy. I imagine it'd be a bit less snappy across the Internet, but hey. Have it running on both sides (at least the server on one side and the viewer on the other), and from the viewer program give it the IP and port (I think 5900 is the default) of the server, it will ask for password, and then it's as if you've got the other PC running in a window on yours.
You don't use it at work? 
http://www.realvnc.com/download-free.html
Install this on both machines.
Your dad should start it in server mode ("Run VNC server").
After this, there should be a "VNC Server" icon in his sytem tray. Dragging his mouse over this will display his ip address.
Get this IP address, run "VNC Listener" on your computer, input the IP address, and that should do it. It's very simple.
You can also set a password and play around with the options (e.g. don't display background so it's faster, etc.) on the server machine.
For some reason, I can't get VNC working this way between my desktop and laptop - probably because of my router/firewall. If you have problems too, you might have to connect the other way: run "VNC listener" on your computer, have your dad run "VNC Server" (as above), then have him right-click on the icon and choose "Add Client" and then input YOUR IP addy.
VNC rocks.
http://www.realvnc.com/download-free.html
Install this on both machines.
Your dad should start it in server mode ("Run VNC server").
After this, there should be a "VNC Server" icon in his sytem tray. Dragging his mouse over this will display his ip address.
Get this IP address, run "VNC Listener" on your computer, input the IP address, and that should do it. It's very simple.
You can also set a password and play around with the options (e.g. don't display background so it's faster, etc.) on the server machine.
For some reason, I can't get VNC working this way between my desktop and laptop - probably because of my router/firewall. If you have problems too, you might have to connect the other way: run "VNC listener" on your computer, have your dad run "VNC Server" (as above), then have him right-click on the icon and choose "Add Client" and then input YOUR IP addy.
VNC rocks.
Go here for a small and handy guide:
http://www.tinyapps.org/vnc/
BTW, this site kicks ass for all sorts of small and tiny efficient applications.
http://www.tinyapps.org/vnc/
BTW, this site kicks ass for all sorts of small and tiny efficient applications.
CaptainABAB
Member
If he has XP and you have XP just do this...
Control Panel -> System
go to Remote Tab
Turn on Remote Desktop.
Then, go to Start -> Help -> "Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance"
The screen will then direct him to either IM you (via Windows Messnger) or email (via Outlook) and it will send an invite to you. It even sets everything up in terms of firewalls and everything. MUCH MUCH easier then VNC for newbies.
Also, in the Remote Tab, it lets him configure how many days the invite is still available, such that this is not a permanent thing.
Control Panel -> System
go to Remote Tab
Turn on Remote Desktop.
Then, go to Start -> Help -> "Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance"
The screen will then direct him to either IM you (via Windows Messnger) or email (via Outlook) and it will send an invite to you. It even sets everything up in terms of firewalls and everything. MUCH MUCH easier then VNC for newbies.
Also, in the Remote Tab, it lets him configure how many days the invite is still available, such that this is not a permanent thing.
CaptainABAB
Member
Some other things to note:
Remote Assistance has more features then standard XP Remote Desktop. It logs you into his current running session, it has a tool to communicate via text or voice messages from him or you, it lets either person take turns "taking control", it defaults to an expiration period,allows file transfers (both ways), it can scale the window to your window size while keeping the resolution, etc.
I use VNC when remote desktop is not available as an option and it is certainly useful. I just don't think it's good for one-time usage - the last thing you need is a VNC server running on his laptop, especially if he puts a weak password or none at all.
Remote Assistance has more features then standard XP Remote Desktop. It logs you into his current running session, it has a tool to communicate via text or voice messages from him or you, it lets either person take turns "taking control", it defaults to an expiration period,allows file transfers (both ways), it can scale the window to your window size while keeping the resolution, etc.
I use VNC when remote desktop is not available as an option and it is certainly useful. I just don't think it's good for one-time usage - the last thing you need is a VNC server running on his laptop, especially if he puts a weak password or none at all.
CaptainABAB
Member
No need for any additional accounts - when it guides him through the process it lets him create a password for the remote assistance session - nothing to dow ith users. You don't have to log into his computer - it connects to his existing logged-in session.
The only thing he has to enable is on the remote tab I mentioned.
The invite includes a file you double-click on which your XP OS will open in the Remote Assistance tool. He will need to share the session password with you via phone - once you are finished, the help tool will show him how to delete the invitation and he can then shut off remote assistance.
The only thing he has to enable is on the remote tab I mentioned.
The invite includes a file you double-click on which your XP OS will open in the Remote Assistance tool. He will need to share the session password with you via phone - once you are finished, the help tool will show him how to delete the invitation and he can then shut off remote assistance.
I don't see it mentioned here but I believe Remote Desktop is only part of XP Professional.. not XP Home....
Finally there are always two easy setup free services out there. Which are the easiest ways to get a remote session up and running.
www.logmein.com
www.mywebexpc.com
I've used them both with no problems. Each just has you download an applet, set a password and you're up and running. You don't get remote printing or file transfer options with the free versions of the services.
Finally there are always two easy setup free services out there. Which are the easiest ways to get a remote session up and running.
www.logmein.com
www.mywebexpc.com
I've used them both with no problems. Each just has you download an applet, set a password and you're up and running. You don't get remote printing or file transfer options with the free versions of the services.
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