Remote Desktop Options?

[CaZeek]

Hello,
I've been in transit lately between DC and New Jersey. I want to set up some sort of "Remote Dektop" so that I can access my New Jersey computer from my laptop. Is there anything available other than the built in features that come with Windows XP Professional? I have XP Home on both computers. Thanks

[bazooka]

You might be able to download the remote desktop program from Microsoft.

[CaZeek]

Everything I've found so far on Microsoft is telling me that the client (or the computer that's being connected to) must have XP Pro installed on it. The other computer just needs Windows 95 or higher.

[mujahid7ia]

VNC is your answer.
I use Ultr@VNC
http://ultravnc.sf.net
or you can try TightVNC
http://tightvnc.com

It is, IMO, far superior to Windows' Remote Desktop Connection because it has more features and less restrictions. It gives you complete remote control plus file transfer and more.

[CaZeek]

Great, thanks mujahid I'll give it a try. Do you happen to know if it will enable me to actually view videos that would be playing on my other computer (ie the TV program for my capture card)?

[d_unbeliever]

i think you can though it maybe choppy depending on your connection speed...

[mujahid7ia]

Yeah, even on my 100mbps LAN it is not exactly smooth.

BTW, to view cideos when using Ultr@VNC there is an additional 'video hook driver' on the site to get, and that will make the connection faster and also video enabled (directx rendered video was having problems w/o this driver, if i remember correctly).

YW cazeek

[offline]

VNC and tightvnc can get quite slow on limited bandwidth & there are
restrictions like security and static IP issues.

Best is to use a citrix package www.citrix.com or
perhaps you can try www.gotomypc.com

[mujahid7ia]

VNC and tightvnc can get quite slow on limited bandwidth & there are
restrictions like security and static IP issues.

Best is to use a citrix package www.citrix.com or
perhaps you can try www.gotomypc.com

I think he was looking for a free solution...
Will these actually be faster than VNC?
There are security plug ins for VNC that I think can be as good as corporate solutions with high bit security.

[offline]

Hi mujahid7ia,

He did not mention free. He could sign up for a months
access to gotomy pc and save both time and money.

VNC is great for LAN's but few in business use VNC via VPN for the net.
This may change in the future.

I don't think speed by itself is worth mentioning in
a remote service terms, especially connected over the net. There are,
as you know, too many variables beyond your control.

Gotomypc is proxy-server based so one way
56k dialup is not an issue, nor is low bandwidth
hotel dsl. Citrix standalone software is very reliable
even on low end systems. Neither require a static
IP.

[mujahid7ia]

Oh, OK.

I might try Citrix, sounds intersting.