Remote Desktop help

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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I am trying to help a friend fix her computer by using a program called Remote Administrator 2.0. She is connected to the interent with Verizon DSL, using a westell DSL modem that is connected directly to the computer, and I had her disable her firewall while I tried to connect. I have used this program before succesfuly connecting to a person with a verizon DSL connection, and the very same modem, but I can't get it to connect to hers at all. I am able to ping the IP address just fine. I also tried using port 21, instead of the default port that the program uses, but still can't get a connection. Anyone else use this program, or have any suggestions as to how to get connected?
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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telnet didn't connect. I also tried using the windows remote assistance, and "Remote Assistance connection could not be established because the remote host name could not be resolved. Please try again."
 

cmv

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Does she have any security software installed? How about Microsoft's firewall (with XP SP2)? Norton? McAfee?

You could try TightVNC too -- it might be a better one to try. The lower range ports (like 21) are not as good to try as her provider may block it (yeah, I know you said you connected with same ISP & device but who knows).
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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She has SP2, and no other firewall, and I made she she had it disabled. No other firewalls or security programs. I switched to trying to use the lower port numbers, because it wouldn't work with the default ports. Also tried using Ultra@VNC which also would not work. It uses port 5900. Thanks deathkoba, but I would imagine it would be a bit tricky for her to be IMing me, or sending windows remote assitance requests with the computer turned off...
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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The modem doesn't have a firewall that I know of. I was using the same exact modem when I had verizon DSL, and it remote admin worked perfectly fine for me. I have tried 3 programs and the windows remote assistance all with no luck, I am at a loss for what else to try and get this working..
 

JeffMD

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2002
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something is blocking ports.. could be anything... or could be she has no clue how to disable the windows firewall. eitherway it looks like theres no way to check for sure without footing it to her computer.
 

phatrabt

Senior member
Jan 28, 2004
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I just went through this the other day. Here's a couple of things to try:

1. Check and see if her modem is acting like a router. I know some of the newer ones run like a router and have a DHCP server built in. Check that she's getting a routable IP address or an internal IP.

2. I found that even when I forwarded the ports that I needed open for Remote Assistance to her machine via the Westell I still couldn't get it to work. I had to put her in IP Passthrough mode (basically a DMZ) to get it to work.

3. I eventually used Messenger (gaaaahhhhhh) to let her sned me an Assistance request. She did and it worked (after I put her in the DMZ). However, I still couldn't get file transfers to work right tho...

Hope this helps...

phatrabt
 

Wik

Platinum Member
Mar 20, 2000
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phatrabit suggestions are spot on. The first thing I would do is have her run ipconfig for you, just to see what the modem is giving her for an IP.

 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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Phatrabt, were there settings in the westell modem to put it in passthrough mode, or how did you get that set up? That may be what I need to get it working..
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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Thanks, I'll have to give that a try when I get the chance, I'll let you know how it works.
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
8
81
Thats true, I forgot about the remote desktop capabilities of netmeeting, I can try that too if I can't get the passthrough to work. Thanks for the great suggestions!!!