Remote support for my folks

**WhiteD3** · 25th August 2007, 02:10 PM

Hi,

Well after years (Decades would be more accurate) of indecision my parents have decided to get a PC and nominated me for the job of purchase, installation and support.

They're in the 70s, don't have clue about PCs and think IT was a character in the Adams Family. God help me!

But, that's what good sons do, right?

Anyway, I'm taking the chicken option and buying a Dell with 2 years support, having it delivered to my place for setup and signing them up with the same ISP as I use.

I'm in Brisbane and they're on the southern Gold Coast.

My questions are:
Can I use the freeware version of RealVNC to remotely support them?

And if so, how secure is it from their end?

Is there a better option? They'll have Vista home premium but I run XP Pro.

Cheers,

Mark

**scrambler** · 25th August 2007, 02:27 PM

Do the remote assistance options built into the OS work between Vista and XP?

**WhiteD3** · 25th August 2007, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by scrambler

Do the remote assistance options built into the OS work between Vista and XP?

That's what I don't know but you can imagine how good it would be if they can ring me and I can connect in and help them.

They might just surprise you once they get started

Yes they might and I hope they do but.....I want to make it as easy as possible for them to surprise me.

**dmdigital** · 25th August 2007, 07:51 PM

Just use Windows Live Messenger, that's how I support my folks. May not be perfect but lets you take full control of the PC and works between XP and Vista no problems.

Good luck and hope you don't get as frustrated as I do with my folks!

**George130** · 25th August 2007, 07:53 PM

Good luck. I have the opposite. My dad is one of the original computer geeks

.

**cockie55** · 25th August 2007, 07:56 PM

Pay a bit extra for XP instead of standard Vista package unless of course you know vista bakwards

**WhiteD3** · 25th August 2007, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by cockie55

Pay a bit extra for XP instead of standard Vista package unless of course you know vista bakwards

There's one problem. I've got 3 PCs at home, all on XP. Never really used Vista.

**WhiteD3** · 25th August 2007, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Just use Windows Live Messenger, that's how I support my folks. May not be perfect but lets you take full control of the PC and works between XP and Vista no problems.

Good luck and hope you don't get as frustrated as I do with my folks!

dm_td5...more info please? I use messenger but only to gasbag to mates. It's got remote control capability?

**jik22** · 25th August 2007, 08:18 PM

If you're not familiar with Vista, you wouldn't want to support it remotely....I'd put them on XP, and then just use the remote control within that. Oh, and use a router instead of a modem, and open it up only to your IP address (Or range from your ISP if you're not statically assigned) for remote access through to their PC.

**Grizzly_Adams** · 25th August 2007, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

dm_td5...more info please? I use messenger but only to gasbag to mates. It's got remote control capability?

Just had a look at my Windows Live Messenger and along the top is a icon labeled "See a list of Activites" and some of the activities are Offer Remote Assistance and Request Remote Assistance.

So I guess the answer is yes. If you are using XP and it doesn't have that functionality try "upgrading" to MSN Messenger instead of the default Windows Messenger. MSN Messenger is available from http://messenger.msn.com

Personally I would let them run Windows Vista and upgrade at least one of your PC's to it. Ok it's not perfect but you're gonna have to upgrade eventually anyway so now is as good a time as any. Either way I'll leave that up to you.

Hope this helps.

btw I run 64-bit Windows Vista Home Premium.

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