Suggestions for remote troubleshooting of friends computer?

[AnMig]

Sold my old gateway Pentium 2 350mhz to old friend who practically knows nothing about computers. Uses it mainly for web browsing maybe occassional digital camera. Practically have to walk him step by step to try to troubleshoot simple probelms (typing password, transfering pictures. This is extremely difficult over the phone.

Is there a way to remotely control his computer via direct phone connection/web or whatever? We both have dial up connection so options are limited (as my knowledge).
His computer is running win 98 se and I run w2k pro and win 98 se.

Any suggestions its really hard to give instructions over the phone. Just a gentle point in the right direction is needed. Thanks

 

[PochiePooh]

I've only seen people doing that in movies. I wish it was as easy in real life. Good luck.

 

[Killbat]

There's always Sub7...

(hey, it works)

 

[Kp99]

WinXP...other than that try PCAnywhere...

 

[Shide1]

I do remote desktop sharing all the time with netmeeting, but both my computer and the computer I cam remotly controlling have cable modem. You could try it with dialup, though it would be very slow.

 

[MrMilney]

Take a look at WinVNC. It's free, stable and will let you do what you want.

link

 

[kritical]

yeah. I use winVNC all the time fix my cousins computer. Its stable as hell...

 

[AnMig]

WinVNC


Thanks for suggestions I knew there was way to do this, will look into WinVNC, and net meeting. I am more or less looking for something in the line of my computer calling his computer via modem then being able to access control panel,windows explorer,network and dial up connections.

net meeting is in windows

PC anywhere is expensive

Is WinVNC in windows already or is it like a software that I have to buy?

 

[wyldebill]

winvnc is from att labs. there is an option where you can have it just paint (and therefore transmit) a smaller area around the mouse cursor, rather than the whole screen. but with a dialup i bet it's going to be fairly slow in updating on your end (client). i have found that when i control a w98 machine (server) from a w2k machine (client) winvnc will crash sometimes. and then i am unable to reconnect to the server unless i go home and restart the server, or reboot the machine.

url
http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/index.html

cool thing about winvnc is the client doesn't preserve state, meaning you *should* be able to login from one machine, then go to another and log in, then just power down the machine without logging out and the first machine *should* still be connected.

oh, and it supports web browsers too. so you can just get on the net, open a browser, key the ip of the winvnc server and presto...there's the server desktop.

wb

 

[gsaldivar]

I would highly recommend Netopia's Timbuktu Pro for the job.

This software, runs very nicely on older computers, and works over any TCP/IP connection. Unlike VNC and NetMeeting, Timbuktu Pro also works via direct modem-to-modem connection (which, is faster than a TCP/IP connection, for this purpose). Also, unlike VNC - Timbuktu is EASY to configure and EASY to use. It is STABLE, and completely cross-platform across all Windows environments (Windows 2000, Windows 9x, NT), and even does Mac!

I've used this software for several years to support various companies and individuals, and it's saved my business thousands of dollars in on-site calls...

The best feature of this software is that it is EASY to use. Once you establish a "Control Connection" with your friend - you can save the settings in a simple shortcut. Reconnecting to that same person, requires only a single click!

You will need a twin-pack of this software, which runs about $135.00. A little pricey, but I believe it will fit your needs perfectly!

If you have any questions about this software, I'd be happy to help - contact me by instant message, or ICQ 5156336.

In case you are still interested in PCAnywhere, you can get it very cheap from DirectDeals.com (scroll to the bottom of this link). This software is OEM - not counterfeit - which is why it is so cheaply priced.

Good luck!



Timbuktu Pro 2000 "At a Glance" (PDF format)


PC World Magazine REVIEW


Pricing Info


Netopia Website


Free Timbuktu Pro Demo

 

[astroview]

I would put in another word for netmeeting, it is a good program. VNC tends to be unstable for me (Win2k to Win2k over 10 Mbit LAN).

 

[Slugbait]

Considering you're both on dial-up, I would recommend against using desktop sharing with NetMeeting. Instead, have your friend share out only the application or applet that needs troubleshooting. You'll find the speed and responsiveness is much faster than sharing the entire desktop.

And whatever you do, do NOT choose to share in True Color...unless you're both on broadband.