remotely controlling PCs? 6

[pchartwell]

Can anyone recommend a good 'remote control' application that could be used by a small helpdesk to assist users via the internet?

I've got a few leads but was wanting to hear from some more people and their experiences, good or bad.

The solution should be inexpensive and simple for the end-user to install the first time. It has to work across the internet. It needn't have a lot of frills; I would just like for my help desk people to be able to assess and solve simple and small problems remotely or decide whether to dispatch full support.

 

[LloydSev]

http://www.tightvnc.com/

I use this.. however it does not provide any security, so all traffic is seen.

Remote Desktop is an option if using XP Pro.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[cdogg]

Here's one list:

http://www.wown.com/software/Remote-control-software/

TightVNC and RealVNC, however, are probably the most popular free tools out there for remote control:

http://www.tightvnc.com/

http://www.realvnc.com/

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[dakota81]

Last I tried, those vnc software didn't work well at all on WinXP machines, the screen didn't update very often and I routinely had to mouse over areas where I knew there were changes, before they would appear on my screen. For Windows, PC Anywhere still seems to be the best.

As for MS's remote desktop, again it can be a pain to use, as you must have a user password, and you cannot have a user sitting at the workstation while someone is remotely connected (logging on one way logs off the other user).

I've heard some things about

http://www.webex.com

but have never looked into it.

 

[LloydSev]

pc anywhere costs money, and after you get used to VNC, it works wonderfully.

It's not an XP issue, as that's how the software works, it only updated areas of the screen that need updated.. sometimes the algorithms don't catch it, so you just click update screen.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[wolluf]

Just add another (not free) that I use and like -

http://www.radmin.com/

 

[ordisecours]

Just look at tv show tonight, and they present "gotomypc" , not free around 26$/month and it use internet. Looks great ...

http://www.gotomypc.com

..._ - _ - every trouble shooting begin with power ON !! we always forgot one day. HAVE A NICE DAY.

 

[RichardMoran]

We use VNC quite a lot, and as mentioned earlier have experienced the 'screen refresh' issue. We tried TightVNC, and UltraVNC, and they all had the same issue.

I month or so ago I downloaded version 4 of VNC from RealVNC, and this issue now seems to have been greatly improved.

We only use it in a LAN environment or over VPN connections so we haven't needed security. RealVNC do have secure versions but you have to pay per host.

A company we have just signed up with perform a remote backup service, and part of the service requires a disk-based backup server at our main office. For them to get control of it requires me to go to

http://www.webconference.com

and enter a username and password that they provide me. This then installs something on the server which enables them to take control. My understanding is that as long as the user can log onto the web site, you can take control of their machine and provide remote support. I believe that it costs about $25 per month, which if it gives you the ability to support a large number of remote users is not too bad. I would definitely check it out if I were you. I believe that webex mentioned previously is a similar type of service.

Rik