Remote Software

[DasFox]

I've been running my own small mom and pop computer business, but I've always either gone on location, or customers brought their pc to me.

Now I'm starting to think about doing Remote logins to clean systems, virus/malware cleanups, simple little backups, tweaks, etc., anything you can do remotely.

There's a lot of software out there, I know of some.

Two that come to mind for ease of use and simplicity: (But I haven't used either)

CrossLoop
LogMeIn
TeamViewer


By the way for management, what's Spiceworks like?

I like that it's free!

http://www.spiceworks.com/

THANKS

 

[MadAmos]

logmein works for me, fast and stable.

 

[MadAmos]

whoops

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
logmein works for me, fast and stable.

But as a small computer shop what version of Logmein should you use? Personally I'd love to use something for free, and not pay monthly expenses, or pay for software if I don't have to, I'm not making that much, so I'm looking for a free solution that would work.

Originally posted by: MadAmos
whoops

whoops, well haven't heard that one, I'll have to Google it, LOL...

j/k...

 

[CalvinHobbes]

With LogMeIn is there still the issue of having to port forward on the router?

 

[Tbirdkid]

No. No problem with the port forwarding with logmein. Its a great program. If you pay for it, you get file transfer too. That gives you an ability to transfer files to and from without hurting the bandwidth much. Also, it gives you an ability to get into the services, etc without actually digging for them. The paid is worth it. We use it with Zenith (saaz) at work. Its great. We use multiple tools, but logmein is one of the easiest. If its a server environment we use dameware or terminal server for rdp connections.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

If you don't need to transfer files between them through the interface and don't need to hear the audio coming out of it. Then Logmein is the choice for you.

 

[Rottie]

I know you wanted freeware but you might want to check PCAnywhere by Symantec it is fairly good I tried it out few months ago the interface is bit hard to learn until you master it you might like it....it is not very cheap I think over 100 bucks

 

[Blain]

LogMeIn "Free" has some limitations, but it's "Free".

People are nervous these days about security. I tell people that I connect with to "Disable" LogMeIn after I get done working with their PC.
They simply "Enable" it before our next session.

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Blain
LogMeIn "Free" has some limitations, but it's "Free".

People are nervous these days about security. I tell people that I connect with to "Disable" LogMeIn after I get done working with their PC.
They simply "Enable" it before our next session.

Connect with to 'Disable', sorry what are you saying?


What about TightVNC?

Also if you use TightVNC and someone has locked themselves out of their router, can you then use port 80, since they can't forward a port?

THANKS

 

[Red Squirrel]

At work we use gotoassist. It's fairly reliable.

The main issue is that to setup a connection it's fairly involved, I mean, I can probably do it in 20 seconds, but to try and walk the user into typing a code, can take as long as 15 minutes. But I can't really picture anything being 100% fool proof, people are just noobs that's all.

Crossloop is good to consider it's free, the issue is that it needs to be installed, so even if you direct the user to the site to download it, they need admin rights to be able to install it. I have no played with making a special stand alone package though, it may be doable.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: DasFox

Originally posted by: Blain
LogMeIn "Free" has some limitations, but it's "Free".

People are nervous these days about security. I tell people that I connect with to "Disable" LogMeIn after I get done working with their PC.
They simply "Enable" it before our next session.

Connect with to 'Disable', sorry what are you saying?


What about TightVNC?

Also if you use TightVNC and someone has locked themselves out of their router, can you then use port 80, since they can't forward a port?

THANKS

I tell the people that I connect to then "Turn Off" LogMeIn after I get done working with their PC.

Fixed.

 

[Blain]

Sorry, but with LogMeIn, there is no "turn off".
The only options, once installed are "Enable" or "Disable".

To clear things up a bit, here's my typical usage...
* Phone call to me about a problem.
I tell the client to "enable" LogMeIn.
* Once connected to their machine via LogMeIn, I work on their PC as needed.
* Once work is finished, I tell them to "disable" LogMeIn, wish them a nice day and go about my business.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: Blain
Sorry, but with LogMeIn, there is no "turn off".
The only options, once installed are "Enable" or "Disable".

To clear things up a bit, here's my typical usage...
* Phone call to me about a problem.
I tell the client to "enable" LogMeIn.
* Once connected to their machine via LogMeIn, I work on their PC as needed.
* Once work is finished, I tell them to "disable" LogMeIn, wish them a nice day and go about my business.

He was just trying to explain to DasFox what you meant. We know its disable and enable.

 

[TheStu]

sswingle has it, I was clarifying your statement to DasFox.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I always use RDP or VNC.