PC Control Software

**brewskieman21** · February 10th, 2005, 08:17 PM

Hey guys, I got a question for you which I'll start off by saying why I would like to know this. I'm the guy in the family that everyone calls when they have a PC problem. Of course I don't mind helping out, but when I try to help a family member over the phone or Internet that lives far away how to do something it can get pretty frustrating because they may not know what a taskbar is or even a toolbar and I'm having to describe the best that I can so that they can understand what I'm talking about and they get frustrated because they don't know for sure if they are understanding me. Well my question to you is this. Is there any kind of software available on the market that I can buy for myself and them that will allow me to easily take over their computer with little or no help (some of them are still newbies and any new program installed on their computer takes forever for them to learn) from them getting it setup so that I can connect to their computer to fix the problem. All of my family members use Windows XP Home Edition and we all have firewalls so I know I definitely need to have a program that will allow all of our firewalls to work with the same program. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'm starting to go crazy because I sure would love to help them out still but not much help since they don't know that much and pretty much are too busy to learn (to put it nicely).

Note: I have tried using Microsoft Help & Support feature for Windows XP, but again the firewalls I think is the problem because I can never get access to connect to their computer.

**-FMA** · February 10th, 2005, 08:28 PM

1. Network the computers up, if its long distance that may be a proble.
2. Learn hacking skills which will be most likely be more time consuming than just going their when people have a problem.

**mazdarx7-64** · February 10th, 2005, 08:29 PM

I've used PC Anywhere with success.

**-FMA** · February 10th, 2005, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by mazdarx7-64

I've used PC Anywhere with success.

Would that be consitered hacking or does the person on the other end have to accept or somehow agree to it?

**brewskieman21** · February 10th, 2005, 08:36 PM

Some of my family members don't even live near me so that's a problem. As far as PC Anywhere, does it make them go thru a lot of steps to allow me to connect to their computer or no? How would I go about to network the computers together? I'm not even sure if their IP Address is static and to be quite honest I'm not sure if mine is either.

**xelnanga** · February 10th, 2005, 08:39 PM

the best way to do it is winvnc. It can give u the access to other's comp through passwords. if the other person sets a person to let's say "xyz" then u open up the program, u type in password with ip address and then you can control the comp. When you are controlling the comp, it means literarlly control. You can move the mouse on ur comp and the other person on the other side will see your mouse cursor moving, plus you can use programs through that comp or open up any needed files.

BUT BEWARE! MANY TIMES, PPL (N00bs) HAVE ENTERED IN THE IP ADDRESS AND THE PASSWORD TO UNKNOWN PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES EVEN LOST THE ACCESS TO THE
COCMP AND HAD TO REFORMAT...

Winvc is though the only way thourough

**brewskieman21** · February 10th, 2005, 08:49 PM

I'm not so sure if I like for them to have a program on their computer that is open-source. I would feel comfortable having it on my computer, but I'm not so sure on there because isn't open-source more of a chance for someone to hack into your system since its easier to access to view the code and to examine any possible glitches which can be used for a hackers advantage or am I wrong about this?

**mazdarx7-64** · February 10th, 2005, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by -FMA

Would that be consitered hacking or does the person on the other end have to accept or somehow agree to it?

Bpth PCs have to have to PC Anywhere installed in order to connect, and then is it password protected. And yes I would consider it somewhat of a security risk.

**brewskieman21** · February 10th, 2005, 09:15 PM

I guess PC Anywhere might be the way to go. I use Firefox and I trust it, but I'm not so sure if I would trust them to have an open-source program on their computer since they know very little about computers.

**GroundZero3** · February 10th, 2005, 09:19 PM

http://www.dameware.com/

allows you to install service remotely. You will need the IP (ipconfig) username and password of course.

Any remote software you use, you will need to allow access to through the firewall.

Windows xp has a great remote assistance program built in. If you are using third party firewall you will need to allow access with it. If you are just using the windows xp firewall (which you shouldnt be, but i i guess its better than nothing) a simple check will allow outside access to it.

**jdahl1979** · February 10th, 2005, 09:27 PM

Remote Assistance built in windows xp is OK. It's just easy to tell them what needs to be done to get it to work and it comes with windows. It's not great but it works great if already configured and broadband is available on both ends. Just MO

**GroundZero3** · February 10th, 2005, 09:33 PM

haha you havent done alot of tech support over the phone have you? There are alot of people who just have no clue, even with windows.

Trust me i work with teachers on a daily basis for the last 6+ years