Accessing Computer Remotely

[knoc10]

Is there a program I can use where I can remotely access my work computer from home? I want to be able to connect to my work computer and have access to a specific program, modifying files, etc. etc.

[MrWizard]

RealVNC

[jollyeskimo]

RealVNC, UltraVNC, Remote Administrator, heck if you don't mind some restrictions windowsXP has its own version built in as well.

[knoc10]

do I have to install these applications on both computers? also, can I use both computers at the same time?

[jollyeskimo]

do I have to install these applications on both computers? also, can I use both computers at the same time?


Yes to all but the native winXP remote service... typically a server goes onto the machine that you want to log into, and a client/viewer is installed/runned from the side that you're logging in/viewing from. Some of them also have http server plus java viewer plugins too I think, making it possible to log in via a web browser (albeit slowly) from anywhere without the need for a client/viewer.

Why not just try them and see for yourself? They're pretty self explanatory, and only you can really tell which one is better for uses.

[Daijoubu]

If you only need to access your windows shares, try http://hamachi.cc

[Cafe_333]

i'm not sure if that hamachi thing is any good, but winxp does natively allow you to create a VPN connection that essentially does the same thing. Anyways, a vote here for Remote Administrator -- assuming your computer isn't locked down and network traffic monitored like what good administrators are supposed to do.

[rp_guy]

personally i use TightVNC, has better compression modes than RealVNC.
If i need security (or loophole access) i'll just use a SSH tunnel.

[knoc10]

I'm really new to this so excuse me if I don't make any sense. There's a specific program on my work computer that I want to be able to access at home. It's a dental program (if you must know) and I want to be able to modify files, access, files, share files, etc., without having to lock down my work computer. Will I be able to have both computers simultaneously running the same program at the same time?

[Cafe_333]

yes you can. here's a screenshot of a Remote Administrator session:

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9900/ra3vx.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ra3vx.jpg)

As you can see, here I can access my file server via IP address and i can control the desktop of my file server in a window. I can manipulate that computer as though I was sitting right in front of it with a monitor keyboard and mouse. I can run windows explorer, run any program i want, it's literally as though you are sitting right in front of it.

[danfromwaterloo]

Ok, maybe I'm obtuse here, but why don't you use Remote Desktop Connection (look under Programs -> Accessories -> Communications)

If you set up your XP box to use it, you can do this stuff naturally.

[Cafe_333]

:arrowu: because the OP mentioned that he wants to be able to use both computers at the same time. Remote Desktop will take over the entire screen making it a hassle to multitask and interact with your own machine.

Anyway, to the OP, i'm not sure about other remote programs, but I know remote administrator doesn't allow you to physically transfer files from your work computer to your home computer.... though you can circumvent that by emailing yourself from that computer. Well, if you need the ability to transfer files, setting up a terminal service on your work computer will allow this, although you'll be limited to using the remote desktop connection. Anyway, there is an option when connecting to map your local harddrives and they will just show up as mapped drives on your work computer.

[toujours]

:arrowu: because the OP mentioned that he wants to be able to use both computers at the same time. Remote Desktop will take over the entire screen making it a hassle to multitask and interact with your own machine.

You can minimise the Remote Desktop :confused:

[Cafe_333]

I never said it was impossible, i only said it was a hassle. And it really is. I don't think anyone can argue against that because it's the same reasoning why people would like to have bigger monitors for the extra desktop space - it's just easier to manage and multitask this way even though people can simply 'minimize' their windows. I used to remote desktop to my file server untill i tried Remote Administrator. Now I love the conveniance of being able to manipulate a desktop via a window as opposed to having my entire screen taken up. ;)

[mystical2003]

The biggest problem here is that you most likely won't be able to get access into your office. You will either need a VPN setup or port forwarding to access your PC. The best bet is to talk to whoever takes care of your PC's at work and ask them for a solution.

[5abSingh]

pcanywhere is pretty good, but has to be installed on both machines, and you have to run it on both computers to use it (i.e. open a host on the comp you want to access, and run a client on the other)

[bionicbadger]

I never said it was impossible, i only said it was a hassle. And it really is. I don't think anyone can argue against that because it's the same reasoning why people would like to have bigger monitors for the extra desktop space - it's just easier to manage and multitask this way even though people can simply 'minimize' their windows. I used to remote desktop to my file server untill i tried Remote Administrator. Now I love the conveniance of being able to manipulate a desktop via a window as opposed to having my entire screen taken up. ;)

You can also run remote desktop in a window, i dont see what the problem is?

[Asun]

SSH with X forwarding is all you need. Wait, you didn't say you're using Windows? Then you can probably try remote desktop.

[nomaansikandar]

I never said it was impossible, i only said it was a hassle. And it really is. I don't think anyone can argue against that because it's the same reasoning why people would like to have bigger monitors for the extra desktop space - it's just easier to manage and multitask this way even though people can simply 'minimize' their windows. I used to remote desktop to my file server untill i tried Remote Administrator. Now I love the conveniance of being able to manipulate a desktop via a window as opposed to having my entire screen taken up. ;)


??? If your res is 1024x768,
change the res on the remote session to 800x600
This way, you don't get scroll bars in your remote desktop session
I use remote desktop all the time and just because the option to use it in ful lscreen is there, you don't have to use it.

[hhh]

can you remotely access 2+ computers at the same time?

How do i setup Remote Desktop Connection?? It says the following when i try to connect:
"The MSHOME domain/workgroup does not contain any Terminal servers."

[SLee]

can you remotely access 2+ computers at the same time?
The client computer can connect to as many remote desktop servers as you want.

How do i setup Remote Desktop Connection?? It says the following when i try to connect:
"The MSHOME domain/workgroup does not contain any Terminal servers."
You need XP Pro. To turn it on, go to Control Panel->System->Remote and check the "Allow users to remotely connect..." option. The client software is found in the Accesories->Communication folder and you just enter the IP address.

[siriuskao]

I never said it was impossible, i only said it was a hassle. And it really is. I don't think anyone can argue against that because it's the same reasoning why people would like to have bigger monitors for the extra desktop space - it's just easier to manage and multitask this way even though people can simply 'minimize' their windows. I used to remote desktop to my file server untill i tried Remote Administrator. Now I love the conveniance of being able to manipulate a desktop via a window as opposed to having my entire screen taken up. ;)

You can set remote desktop resolutions (set it lower if you don't want it to take up your whole screen) and resize the window if you wish.

You only set it once since you can save remote desktop connection so all the settings are retained, I have all the server shortcut directly on my desktop.

and yes I have both remote administrator and remote desktop. Not to mention remote adminitrator cost money.

[new_vr]

SSH with X forwarding is all you need. Wait, you didn't say you're using Windows? Then you can probably try remote desktop.
For windows, it's SSH with VNC

[xwar]

www.logmein.com

[rshorser]

:arrowu:
I agree. Logmein has served me very well for over 2 years now. and its free too, the only restriction being you can't transfer files, but like mentioned above, thats easily circumvented with email or yousendit.com or something similar. you just need to install a tiny app on the work computer and then use your browser on the home computer. really easy, and secure too.

[Cafe_333]

hmm... maybe it wasn't remote desktop i was using. i know it was a Microsoft terminal service that used the remote desktop protocol which allowed me to map local hardware to the remote client and that didn't allow me to down it to the size of a window - as best as I can recall. :confused:

[SLee]

hmm... maybe it wasn't remote desktop i was using. i know it was a Microsoft terminal service that used the remote desktop protocol which allowed me to map local hardware to the remote client and that didn't allow me to down it to the size of a window - as best as I can recall. :confused:

You sure you're talking about RDP found in Windows 2000/2003 Server and XP Pro? This is the client program. You can pick resolutions from 640x480 to 1600x1200 and 8-bit color to 24-bit.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7075/rdp4mu.th.png (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rdp4mu.png)

And if the OP has XP Pro, there's no reason to use anything else. It's faster, probably 10X faster than VNC, has built-in encryption, transfer files by simple copy-paste, maps HDs, printers, serial ports and audio. There's also a browser version if you install IIS on the server computer.

[Cafe_333]

That might have been it? haha, it has been years ago since I last used the built in terminal services, so i'm thinking my memory must be hazy on that. Perhaps the details that I do recall may not be as accurate as I initially thought. Either way I should stand corrected that RDC can indeed run on a smaller window at a different resolution. Anyway, I still prefer 3rd party apps though because of multi session support and the ability to bypass local machine authentication.

[hhh]

I NEED HELP WITH MY COMP!!!!!

I rarely use my desktop so today I sold my Desktop monitor and never planned on buying another monitor but...Now that i don't have a monitor, i can't access my files on my desktop....is there anyway i can get into my desktop PC from my laptop remotely with full view of my desktop without having to get permission from my Desktop PC?

[kogepan]

www.logmein.com
looks like this is wha im lookin for as well. So after the free trial i can just keep using it for free but limit features right?

[toujours]

I NEED HELP WITH MY COMP!!!!!

I rarely use my desktop so today I sold my Desktop monitor and never planned on buying another monitor but...Now that i don't have a monitor, i can't access my files on my desktop....is there anyway i can get into my desktop PC from my laptop remotely with full view of my desktop without having to get permission from my Desktop PC?

Two options (at least) if your two machines are in a LAN.

1. Read the rest of this thread
2. Share your hard drive

[kogepan]

o i just got logmein. is it bad to leave it on all the time?