Current best "remote control" software to help relative with their computer remotely
 

Can anyone advise what is the best current software that could let me remotely access my relative's laptop (with their permission) whilst I am travelling to help them with their laptop problems?

The software whose name I can't recall used for this previously worked like this. I have my relative's IP address. Using this IP address the software I am looking for would send a request to my relative's laptop asking for permission for me to access the laptop remotely. When my relative clicks to give permission I am able to type commands on her laptop that she does not have the skills to know, to help her solve problems she is experiencing using the laptop.

Is there a safe piece of software that I can either free download or pay a reasonable cost for that will enable me to help my relative in this way when I not there please?

https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/

we use logmein, and have used it internationally with a VPN from China, so it works ok.

I tried splashtop but I was underwhelmed

http://www.splashtop.com/home

You probably mean 'Ask user permission' feature
http://www.remoteutilities.com/featu...ser_permission

Remote Utilities is free for personal use.

Hope that helps.

Another + for log me in.

The free version allows me to provide tech support to the inlaws and has done away with "What does it say now", "Click the OK Box", "No, the other OK Box".... conversations.

The free version of Logmein works great.

+1 for logmein

+1 for logmein (free version) ^

I've been pretty happy with Skype's built-in screen sharing. It's not as capable as logmein, but most people already have Skype installed, so it's a quicker way to deal with one-time support, or helping someone who wouldn't be able to install the logmein client themselves.

I haven't used any of the others, but using the Windows built-in Remote Assistance function worked fine with my in-laws. They are elderly and not computer savvy, so, iirc, I just needed to have them click a few buttons from within Windows and it emailed me an invitation file which I used to connect. No software to download, install, etc., etc.

You might try the web service join.me, it is from the company that does Logmein, but very easy to use.

I use LogMeIn, but the free version doesn't allow for file transfers or rebooting in safe mode. Another free software for personal use that I use is Teamviewer and does more than LogMeIn Free. It also has a VPN.

Thank you
 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I can see how many of you must be having the same conversations with your relatives to try to help them on their computer, as I am having with mine!

I'm going to take a look at whether I can use the suggested feature in Windows first then will try Logmein then other software including Teamviewer and join.me which sound very interesting. I'm very grateful to you all for taking the trouble to make suggestions and am sure this will help me help my relative.

Many thanks.

I tried the free version of TeamViewer. It seems to work for me.

I tried screen sharing with iChat before. TeamViewer does allow file transfers. I've used it to drop pictures onto my parents computer. My brother has used it from Australia.

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

fuzz

+1 for Teamviewer. No firewall requirement and you do not have to install program, just run it.

Logmein. Has never failed me.