Simple, Free Web Remote PC Control? 454
MeatballCB writes "Hey folks. Being the 'technical' guy of the family, I often get calls from friends and family members when they're having PC issues. Most of these folks are not technical, so trying to troubleshoot problems over the phone can often be a challenge. Anyone know of a simple-to-use and (preferably) free service that would allow for remote viewing/control of their PCs? I know there's WebEx and GoToMyPC, but I hate to pay for something I'd use once every two months. I also know about VNC, but trying to walk someone through opening up ports on their router that thinks their Internet is broken when their homepage gets changed is not realistic. Anyone know of anything that would be easy to set up and use?"
logmein.com (Score:5, Informative)
It's a free service for home use. QED.
LogMeIn (Score:5, Informative)
Teamviewer (Score:4, Informative)
I've found that teamviewer is the easiest way to connect without having to go through setting up port forwarding
Free remote control software (Score:2, Informative)
UltraVNC single-click (Score:5, Informative)
UltraVNC single click. Its a reverse VNC, designed for this purpose. They double click the executable, and then automatically connects to your listening client.
Its customizable so you can make it look professional if needed. They only have to run the file, it does everything else.
I suggest... (Score:1, Informative)
...You look at these two:
http://www.teamviewer.com
http://www.logmein.com
They are not complicated at all and they can save you lots of transport hassles.
free remote control (Score:1, Informative)
For the occasional remote support sessions I need I use TeamViewer (teamviewer.com) - it's free for evaluation/personal use and doesn't need the 'supportee' to install anything, just run the executable.
Crossloop or Teamviewer (Score:2, Informative)
I've used Crossloop (http://www.crossloop.com/) and TeamViewer (http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx) with good success. The client only has to run an exe, give you their address code over the phone, and accept your session. Simple enough for my mom.
Teamviewer! (Score:1, Informative)
Teamviewer has an EXCELLENT setup for this kind of this, I use it several times a week for family PC control. Great for one time use (the instant support module) or install it permanently on the PCs you need access to and one-click in whenever you need. Full version totally free for noncommercial use.
http://www.teamviewer.com
VNC is the way ... (Score:5, Informative)
... you just need to know that your friends (and family members) DO NOT need to mess with their routers. Just YOUR router needs to open a single port (5500/tcp) and forward it to your workstation. Make your friends run the VNC server as usual, start the VNC client on your workstation in LISTENER mode, tell your friends to select "add new client" from the VNC server icon context menu, and make them enter your IP or dyndns address into the popup dialog.
(Technically, this swaps the roles of client and server on the TCP level, but VNC still behaves as expected.)
Tux2000
Crossloop (Score:2, Informative)
Crossloop. Seriously. You don't need to create an account, you can just close the login window and still use the application. It's free, never had any spyware or adware in the past. (I haven't checked it recently)
We used this at work and I use this at home. It's secure because the application doesn't run as a service, you need a unique code every time you connect to a client and they need to authorize you. It's based on VNC.
If you can't get someone to install Crossloop to help them, you might as well them tell to bring their computer over or send it to a shop because it's that easy.
crossloop (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Teamviewer (Score:4, Informative)
UltraVNC Single-Click (Score:2, Informative)
http://forum.ultravnc.info/viewtopic.php?t=15865&sid=b6c0c94c99f3095d318eace245e09b49 [ultravnc.info]
The single-click program could be easier to use, though...
Definitely Crossloop (Score:1, Informative)
VNC SC...so easy, my parents can do it! (Score:2, Informative)
Check it out here! [uvnc.com]
If you're doing this over your residential connection or if you might be in different locations, set yourself up with a dynamic DNS service (such as www.dyndns.org) and create yourself a hostname on there. Build your VNC-SC download to point to that address.
I have mine set up on my family website where they can download it easily so I don't have to drive over to their house every time they can't print.
Re:Teamviewer (Score:3, Informative)
i concur, teamviewer is simply the best.
Remote Assistance (Score:5, Informative)
For a couple of family members I support I find the Remote Assistance function (essentially Remote Desktop with a different make-up job) works fine. They have MSN Messenger (or Live Messenger, or what-ever it is branded as today) accounts as do I so all they have to do is click select "request remote assistance" from the "activity" menu. You will need to have port 3389 pointing open at your firewall and pointing to the machine you will be answering the call on though, which is a disadvantage (make sure all your passwords are well chosen!), but the other end doesn't need any open ports.
Pre XP I had OpenVPN and VNC installed on their machines. All they had to do was open the VPN and I could take/share control via VNC. RDC/RA works better though, as it is more responsive over slow ADSL lines and does not require any setup on the machine the person is asking for support on, though for family members who I have built machines for still have the VPN installed so I can connect it if I want/need to try interact with the machine by anything other than the RA connection (accessing fileshares directly for instance, if the problem being reported is "I can see the MP3s on the main machine from my laptop" or such), but I've not needed to do that for some time.
Crossloop plus an audio tool (Score:3, Informative)
Crossloop is simple (Score:3, Informative)
I like Crossloop. It is setup as a Support site, but you/they don't pay anything unless you charge for support. There is a simple website to point the people to to request support.
Re:logmein.com (Score:4, Informative)
It's a free service for home use. QED.
It works well, too, but can be a bit slow. Also like most VNCs there is no audio support but for remote troubleshooting it should be fine. Give it a go. Find it here [logmein.com]
Re:If you're so good with IT (Score:2, Informative)
Logmein is great, and I use it for all my own computers. However, it requires an install on client-side, and for some situations (over the phone support with an ignorant user), trying to get them to install is a long, painful process.
I also use reverse VNC, which is nice. You have to open up a port on our own router, have the VNC viewer listening on the right port, and then setup the reverse VNC binary to connect to your computer (ultravnc has easy programs for this), but it's reliable and pretty simple for end-users... one download, one click, done.
I haven't found a web-based, no-install remote desktop sharing program yet that's free. Would be nice to have.
Logmein bad points (Score:1, Informative)
Two things that annoy me are;
its a bit fiddly for a remote user to install, at least with the free version. They either have to set up their own account on the web or log in to your web account and click the "add computer" button which is ok if they are a family member but you don't really want everyone poking around your account. Be easier just go give them a link and say go there an run what you find.
Once it is installed its practically impossible to stop it running in the background. You can disable access to it but its still there. You can stop services manually but they tend to switch themselves back on. I really hate this with software. I really wish that people could just start and stop it at will when they needed it. That said it does stop people from accidentally removing it but still...
But it is still the solution I end up using and it doesn't cost me anything so count your blessings.
Re:logmein.com (Score:4, Informative)
Also, OP stated that he gets calls from 'friends and family members'
While this would work fine for family, installing logmein that allows you access whenever you want is probably not a good idea for friends, and they would probably dislike it.
If they are running Windows 7, its extremely easy to walk them through
- Hitting the start button,
- Typing 'Windows Remote Assistance' in the search bar
- Clicking 'Invite someone you trust to help you,'
- Clicking Easy Connect and having them recite the letters on their screen.
Works in Vista too, but the added option of Easy Connect in Windows 7 that gives a a password for connection instead of using an invitation file makes it really easy for the technologically illiterate to allow you to connect. Just another very easy-to-use option.
Acrobat.com (Score:2, Informative)
Have all parties sign up for a free account at Acrobat.com. Includes screen sharing and remote control for free. No troubles with ports etc...but does require Flash.
Try Mikogo (Score:4, Informative)
www.mikogo.com . owned by Skype. I use it all the time.
Re:logmein.com (Score:1, Informative)
If they are sitting behind a NAT router, "Windows Remote Assistance" won't work for Windows XP or Windows Vista.
I have not personally tested it, but Windows 7 claims to allow NAT traversal with it's Assistance function.
I have also read of problems based on the type of NAT, where a dual NAT, one router behind another failed to function using this method. It's an interesting function, but not a panacea.
DonS
Re:If you're so good with IT (Score:3, Informative)
I've used Echogent's EchoVNC. The Windows server is easy to use. The Linux one isn't quite as easy unfortunately. Pretty much set up a server somewhere public, and then both ends (me and the customer) can be behind most firewalls and get connected quickly. I don't know what feature differences are between their free trial and their pay version are, but if folks are really interested, they'll find out.
The client lets you encode the username, password, and server right into it. For the end user, I send them to a web page and tell them to click a link. They download it and run it. It doesn't install anything, so it's real quick to get going. For me, I have the admin client installed on my PC, so I fire it up, and watch for that client to connect. Once they're connected, I start working.
When I'm done, I close the client on their side, which of course disconnects me. It never starts again, unless they tell it to. It's nice, clean, and doesn't pollute their machine with wasted crap. They can delete the executable from their machine when they're done. No uninstall necessary.
Even as simple as it is for the client (go to this site, click the link, run it, click ok), some people still have problems. "What do I run", or "Where did it download to". Frequently they'll ask for the password, which I tell them it's already set. For most people, it's 30 seconds to get me on. For some it can take a couple minutes, especially when they don't understand me saying "Open a browser and go to ....". It all depends on your end user.
Needless to say, if the connection is bad enough, it's going to be pathetically slow. I was able to get onto a machine to traceroute from it, since the customer couldn't spell "tracert". It took a while, but I got enough information and told them what to say to their provider when they called.
The only real problem I've run into is with Vista and it UAC. When it pops up, it kicks me off. If I'm doing something that runs into that, I have to ask them to click "allow", and then I reconnect. Since I'm only on client machines to fix problems, it's not appropriate for me to disable UAC.
Re:Try Mikogo (Score:5, Informative)
Re:If you're so good with IT (Score:4, Informative)
I also use reverse VNC, which is nice. You have to open up a port on our own router, have the VNC viewer listening on the right port, and then setup the reverse VNC binary to connect to your computer (ultravnc has easy programs for this), but it's reliable and pretty simple for end-users... one download, one click, done.
I've done remote support for years through my business. I've used a custom MSI of TightVNC with the password already set, along with OpenVPN. That allows the customer to connect securely to my network, without worrying about a router and port forwarding.
Just download the software, install, and it works. OpenVPN also eliminates the security problem of having unencrypted VNC running over the Internet.
The UltraVNC SingleClick, though, I've just started looking at as a replacement. Built in encryption, easier install for the end user, and complete uninstall when it's finished.
Security is still an issue, though, even with the built in encryption, because it's a static key, rather than PKI. Anybody who can download the SingleClick installer (which is anybody with an IP address) can also get the encryption key used. So it would be easy for anybody to eavesdrop on a connection and intercept all traffic.
OpenVPN with custom certificates eliminates this (which you can generate on the fly from a PHP script, so every single customer is using their own encryption), so I'll still be using it for a lot of customers, even if I completely move over to UltraVNC SC.
Re:logmein.com (Score:2, Informative)
I also very much agree that LogMeIn is a GREAT tool, and I use it all the time to maintain my machines because some are running Home versions of Windows which doesnt support being a Remote Desktop (which I use when available)
In the past before Windows Remote Assistance had Easy Connect I used to ask users to install the logmein software because it was so much easier than having them get the file and save it and email it.
However, Windows Remote Assistance worked for me when both my computer and the remote one (over the Internet) were behind different NAT routers that did not have ports forwarded, which certainly gives it points in my book. IMO, it's all about having as many tools as possible so you always have a backup plan...RDP, Remote Assistance, LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, WebEx, VNC... Personally I'll try Remote Assistance, and if Easy Connect doesn't work I'll walk them through LogMeIn.
Re:Crossloop or Teamviewer (Score:2, Informative)
Re:$125.00 per hour (Score:4, Informative)
One great way to avoid being nagged for favors is to take extra time to do them, then do them in a way the recipient won't ask again.
I solve most such Windows problems with a format/reinstall/no data rescue (I suspect teh virus ate it). Be nice to those who deserve nice, barter or get monies from nice folks who want too much work for free, but fuck the hell out of anyone who wants to take advantage of you. Fuck 'em with a snarl or with a smile as appropriate, but fuck 'em.
You'll find it quite satisfying. There is a reason BOFH is so popular. It reflects things many of us would like to do. You only live once, so have some fun.
A wrap up of sorts... (Score:5, Informative)
Okay seems like everyone and their brother has a different idea and since this interests me I tried to roll up as many of the interesting looking ones as possible into one posting :-) Did I miss any?
http://www.teamviewer.com/ [teamviewer.com]
https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/ [logmein.com]
http://www.copilot.com/ [copilot.com]
http://skype.com/ [skype.com]
http://www.uvnc.com/addons/singleclick.html [uvnc.com] (reverse VNC)
http://www.crossloop.com/ [crossloop.com]
http://www.mikogo.com/en/ [mikogo.com]
http://showmypc.com/ [showmypc.com]
https://www.ntrconnect.com/ [ntrconnect.com]
http://www.zolved.com/remote_control [zolved.com]
http://www.wippien.com/ [wippien.com] (VPN)
http://code.google.com/p/gitso/ [google.com] (reverse VNC)
CrossLoop (Score:3, Informative)
Re:If you're so good with IT (Score:2, Informative)
For commercial use, I use PCHelpware. http://www.uvnc.com/pchelpware/index.html [uvnc.com]
It works great in that I have clients download my custom copy from my website. It has my IP hard coded in the config. Once it is running, which usually takes 2 clicks on Windows security windows, they just hit connect and I am in.
You can edit the graphics, too. Mine has my company name, phone number, etc.
The only negative, it is somewhat of a hog (due to encryption, I think), but it works and I do not have too much trouble getting even the inept connected. Vista needs to have the UAC disabled, unless you keep the user on the line. The security windows do not show up due to MS restrictions. I have not tried other programs under Vista, so I am not sure if it is a universal problem
Not Free But... (Score:3, Informative)
GoTo Assist Express offers different levels of pricing. $660 per year, $69 per month, or $9.95 per incident. If they are just friends and family and want to get their stuff fixed, I think the $9.95 per incident wouldn't be that big of a deal. Explain to them that if they want their computer fixed right then, they are going to have to give you $10 next time you see them (or mail it/Paypal it to you later). I actually signed up for it when it was in beta (it was free) and ended up getting a discounted price of something like $450 a year, which my company pays for. It is a good program. I have not had any problems with users installing it....well....users that are using Internet Explorer. Firefox has some issues with installing the applet that makes it confusing for some users.
Just works your ass (Score:1, Informative)
Major Snow Leopard Bug Said To Delete User Data [slashdot.org]
Snow Leopard Missed a Security Opportunity [slashdot.org]
The Story of a Simple and Dangerous OS X Kernel Bug [slashdot.org]
Apple Issues Firmware Upgrade For MacBook Pro [slashdot.org]
And many more examples of how it "just works".
Stop sucking. Steve Job's dick, that is.
Re:Teamviewer (Score:2, Informative)
I have used both LogMeIn Free (mentioned above) and TeamViewer.
LogMeIn Free feels more polished than TeamViewer but it needs to be installed and configured in the PC you want to control, which makes it the best choice only for computers you will maintain on a regular basis (e.g. your parents', your brother's...).
TeamViewer, on the other hand, doesn't need to be installed or configured in the PC you want to control --your "customer" simply needs to dowload a file, run it and read a couple of numbers to you-- which makes it ideal for one-off support cases.
Re:logmein.com (Score:3, Informative)
He was attempting to be funny.
Re:If you're so good with IT (Score:3, Informative)
Google for "free MSI packager".
Pick one you like, and go to it.
I use this one:
http://www.scalable.com/softwaredownload/ledownload [scalable.com]
It's got some idiosyncracies, but I'm used to it.
Basically, you do a "before" snapshot, install the VNC server, set your password and anything else you want to configure, then do the "after" snapshot.
It pretty much just runs a diff on the filesystem and registry, and puts the diff file into an .msi.
There are a few things you'll need to take out, that are false positives, but it does a pretty good job of filtering things like clock changes and other mundane stuff by itself.
Find the contact page on the link in my sig and drop me an email if you want any more help.