Re: Remote Assistance

NJITGS wrote:
Would anyone have a possible resolution for
this message that I am receiving when
attempting to connect to a friends computer?

Remote Assistance connection could not be established
because the remote host name could not be resolved.
Please try again.

Both computers are Windows XP Home Edtion.

NJITGS wrote:
You point about XP not containing RD Server, was well understood,
but it was my impression that the client could run using the
Windows Messenger server.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Yes. They should be able to ask for your remote assistance using
MSN Messenger.

While they are talking to you using the IM, they should be able to
select (from the menus at the top of the window in which they are
typing back and forth to you) --> ACTIONS --> REQUEST REMOTE
ASSISTANCE. You can then choose to accept this.

However - there are caveats.

HOW TO: Obtain Remote Assistance Using Windows Messenger in
Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306556/

Start a Remote Assistance Session from Windows Messenger
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/remoteassist/viaim.mspx

HOW TO: Provide Remote Assistance In Response to Windows Messenger
Invitation in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306800/

They have to have a public IP address or you have to know it. Then, you
may have to have them email you a request for assistance
or create the file and send it to you so you can edit it as
outlined in the following article.

Provide Remote Assistance When Using a NAT Device
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/tips/jackson1.mspx

Are either parties behind a cable modem/dsl router?
If so, are the proper ports forwarded to the proper machine?
(3389 forwarded to the machine's IP they use.)

Are the machines' firewalls configured to allow the traffic for
Remote Assistance through (if there is a software firewall - such
as Windows Xp Firewall - enabled (as there should be.)

NJITGS wrote:
Again. Thank you for your help! I am fully aware of how to use
the RA either way, with Windows Messenger or with Outlook Express.

Thank you.


What question(s) do you have left then?
Have I missed it or answered it? heh

Yes - you can use MSN Messenger in Windows XP (any edition) to start a
Remote Assistance session - with the caveats I gave.

No - Windows XP Home Edition - no matter what (legitimately) cannot be
connected **TO** using Remote Desktop.

Yes - UltraVNC and TightVNC can be installed and used to remote control a
system "for free" - and the same program used in the same way can be used to
assist someone. (With the port forwarding/firewall port openings and such
caveats as well.)

The web links gave in the previous answers tell you how to edit the Remote
Assistance file if they are behind a router. Their router manuals will tell
them how to forward the port and teh bult in Windows Help and support should
help open the proper ports through the Windows XP Firewall - if in use.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


.

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