Travel Technology - Windows XP remote desktop sharing

I need help setting up remote desktop sharing on a windows 2000 pc. So that I can access my home computer (windows xp) from work.
Any one know the procedure to get this going?
Thanks.

As long as your Windows XP PC is XP Pro, and not Home, you can do this. Go to control panel, system, and "enable users to remotely logon". You must set a password for your username is order to get in remotely. Then register a dynamic hostname at www.no-ip.com, so that you can reliably connect to your home network. Download their client to keep it updated. You will need to open port 3389 to your home PC, if you use a router. Then google "remote desktop connection software" and download the client. It will install to start, programs, accessories, communications, remote desktop connection

Good luck.

Chris

I've been using gotomypc for years, and love it. It's not free (or even cheap), but it's reliable, and has served me well. If you only need it for a short time, they offer a free trial for 45 days of unlimited usage. Every year when it's renewal time I look into other solutions, but I've found nothing that does what I want it to do the way gotomypc does it all.

Go to Gotomypc.com, click on the button for radio listeners, and use WINS as the code. You may have to give it a credit card, just remember to cancel the account befor ethey bill you after the 45 days.

I've been using this setup for months now (W2k to XP) and stichris has given some really good information. Here is some more.

If you do not already have IIS (Internet Information Services) installed, you will need your XP Pro installation CD.

Once you finish installing Remote Desktop Connection, WinXP will make a directory (tsweb) for people to access from the web:
http://xxx.aaa.bbb.ccc/tsweb , where xxx.aaa.bbb.ccc is your IP address
http://yourdomainname.com/tsweb

If you are using a router, forward TCP ports 80 and 3389 to your local IP address.

If you are using a router, use the router's WAN IP address instead of your local IP address.

If you want to be able to turn on your computer and go into WinXP without having to enter a password every time, run "control userpasswords2". You will still need a password to log on remotely so your information is just as secure.

Another one that works well and is multi-platform is Timbuktu (http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/). It was actually used to locate a stolen computer by its creative owner. Very cool story! (http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,50025,00.html)

I've heard there's a way to use the remote desktop sharing option.
Home computer running windows xp home, shall be the server. Any other computer can be client. I just dont remember what needs to be done to setup windows 2000 or NT for this.
Had something to do with copying a couple of files in WINNT/system/system32 directory.
If this sounds familiar to anyone then let me know.

I need help setting up remote desktop sharing on a windows 2000 pc. So that I can access my home computer (windows xp) from work.
Any one know the procedure to get this going?
Thanks.


That you will actually need to use the older terminal services client, which you can download at the microsoft.com site.

Terminal services, is availalbe in Win2K pro, I don't know if there was a lesser version of Win2K that wouldn't allow it.

If you don't have that then the FREE program, VNC which was originally developed by ATT labs, can be downloaded and setup on almost any machine. I think I even had it once running on Win98SE.

They have a very good support site and literature, and it works quite well. Same sort of thing though, was is technically setup as a server, the others are clients.

you can download it and get all the support you need at

http://www.realvnc.com/

email me if you need some further help, setting things up behind routers and firewalls is always a bit trickier

My main concern with VNC is security, I'm looking for something that has both username AND password protection.

My boss is pushing me towards this. I am afraid, I think some of my apps will not run well under xp.

lala

My main concern with VNC is security, I'm looking for something that has both username AND password protection.


I think VNC uses only ip and password, but you DO have to have user name and password access on the remote computer.

We used VNC at an old job for intranet use only, so security wasn't an issue, I can't address that, but otherwise it was an incredibly solid product, and it was free.

My desktop has XP Pro but my laptop has XP home (both have XP Office). If I am travelling with the laptop would I be able to access the my desktop PC or do I really have to load XP Pro on the laptop as well - which will be a nuisance as will have to reformat the disc and reload everything (pretty sure you cant load XP Pro on top of XP Home ?)

I agree with cordelli. GoToMyPc is incredible. Requires user name, pw and then knowing the desktop computer's unique name. If I could convince ATT to take my Blackberry back so I could buy a TMobile HP6315 I could bag my laptop altogether.

My main concern with VNC is security, I'm looking for something that has both username AND password protection.

Well, don't open up the VNC ports through the firewall. Make the connection using ssh port forwarding.

ie: ssh -L 5900:target-machine:5900 home

cf: http://www.uk.research.att.com/archive/vnc/sshvnc.html

Then you have compression, security, etc, and you only have to open up port 22 on the remote side. vnc does have a password option, but the previous poster is correct, to open the session, you just connect to the port and enter the session password.

Note that target-machine can be "localhost". You might need to modify sshd_config to permit port forwarding, etc.

Once you make the ssh connection, then you connect to localhost:5800 from the client. (or whatever port number you want to use.)

If you're clever, you can forward a port to any machine on the other side of the firewall.

-David

As long as your Windows XP PC is XP Pro, and not Home, you can do this. Go to control panel, system, and "enable users to remotely logon". You must set a password for your username is order to get in remotely. Then register a dynamic hostname at www.no-ip.com, so that you can reliably connect to your home network. Download their client to keep it updated. You will need to open port 3389 to your home PC, if you use a router. Then google "remote desktop connection software" and download the client. It will install to start, programs, accessories, communications, remote desktop connection

Good luck.

Chris

Thanks for this info...this was perfect. I've used the Remote Desktop sharing (it's free compared to gotomypc) but always had a problem with the IP address changing. No-ip was quick and easy to set up and now I don't have to worry about changes when I'm on the road anymore.

Wish someone would get me up and running as well.
I have xp home edition at home with remote desktop sharing enabled and windows 2000/ NT at work.
how can i get it to work?

Wish someone would get me up and running as well.
I have xp home edition at home with remote desktop sharing enabled and windows 2000/ NT at work.
how can i get it to work?


Glad I could help, SNA1K. Explore - Read my reply to the first post. It is broad, but covers everything you need to know. If you have specific questions on something, let me know. I'll be happy to help.

Chris

My desktop has XP Pro but my laptop has XP home (both have XP Office). If I am travelling with the laptop would I be able to access the my desktop PC or do I really have to load XP Pro on the laptop as well - which will be a nuisance as will have to reformat the disc and reload everything (pretty sure you cant load XP Pro on top of XP Home ?)

Here are the steps to load Pro on top of Home

1. Purchase the conventional "retail upgrade version" of XP Pro.
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus or firewall programs.
3. Disconnect all peripheral hardware devices, but not the monitor, keyboard or mouse.
4. While at your XP Home desktop screen, insert the XP Pro CD in the CD drive.
5. Select the default "Upgrade" option....do not select "New Installation".
6. Defrag your drive after upgrading.
7. Reinstall your antivirus program & turn-on the firewall.
8. Visit the Windows Update website and download the necessary updates.

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