Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong for remote assistance?

[ingeborgdot]

I have been trying to do a remote assistance with my brother in law but have not been successful. We both have followed all the steps that it requires and get close to having an established connection but it says remote assistance connection could not be established because the remote host name could not be resolved. What can we do about that?
I have gone into my router and am using remote assistance exceptions. I tried turning of the windows firewall but have it listed as an exception also. What could be the problem. I need some step by step explanation as to what I need to do.
Thanks.

 

[Slikkster]

Sounds like one of the connections is behind a router. You can either forward the port(s) in the router(s), or look here:

http://www.howtonetworking.com/RemoteAccess/remoteassistance1.htm

 

[KB]

What hostname are you using? Remember that his PC name is not going to be in Public DNS, so you are going to have to use his IP Address.

Is he behind a NAT router? If so then without getting a NAT rule that points a port to his PC, you will not be able to connect.

Give us some more specifics about the network and IPs between you two.

 

[Mavtech]

If you have XP Pro or MCE, forward the Remote Desktop port from the router to your local IP, enable remote desktop on your computer, then have your brother connect using RD (using your outside IP).

 

[ingeborgdot]

He has home and I have pro. How do you forward the port from the router to your local IP?
When you say connect using RD what do you mean? Thanks.

 

[Mavtech]

Originally posted by: ingeborgdot
He has home and I have pro. How do you forward the port from the router to your local IP?
When you say connect using RD what do you mean? Thanks.

Perfect. Home has the client. Pro has the Host.

I am at work. So, I don't remember exactly what number the port is. Many routers have some preset port names and numbers. My D-Link has RD preset. Check the port forwarding section of your router config. Could also be named "Virtual Servers". Then, give him your external IP address from your ISP. He will then go to Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Remote Desktop Connection. He enters your external IP from your ISP and clicks connect.

Make sure to give him an account on your computer that is password protected.

 

[Slikkster]

I've always been an advocate of fixing the problem at hand, but if this remote assistance is urgent or if you need a free alternative, try the FREE "Log Me In" program.

https://secure.logmein.com/

Click on the green "Get Logmein Free" button.

 

[imported_mostlyprudent]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but I have been looking into an easier remote access option for providing support to family and friends. Is LogMeIn a reliable option? Are there any security/spyware concerns associated with LogMeIn?

Thanks.

 

[Slikkster]

No problems that I am aware of. And its certainly the right price. There are links to the notices they have gotten, like PC Magazine, etc.

 

[imported_mostlyprudent]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

 

[ingeborgdot]

After 30 days you lose some options. What options do you lose for the free one?

 

[Slikkster]

Comparison of features between Free and Pro:

https://secure.logmein.com/go.asp?page=productcomparison

You lose file transfer between pc's, for example, but that's easily remedied by using an IM program. Even remote printing can be accomplished with XP.