Windows VNC recommendations?

[Wookie]

I'm looking for some VNC software so I can control the machine upstairs from my laptop in front of the telly downstairs.

*OSS if poss.
*Doesn't require the upstairs machine (or more precisely a user) to accept a connection.
*Small.

The closest I can find is Back Orifice, but that sends the virus checker mad.
Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[tek-monkey]

realvnc?

 

[shoes]

Yup I'd say realvnc also.

 

[wmrcomputers]

realvnc agreed here

what o/s's are installed on which machines?

 

[Wookie]

RealVNC costs £30/license.
TightVNC? @Shoes; does this look remarkably similar to that used by that Major Educational Establishment we used to work for?

 

[shoes]

Real VNC costs nothing - I have used it for years with no problem without parting with a penny.

 

[Wookie]

Real VNC costs nothing - I have used it for years with no problem without parting with a penny.

Quite true; I found myself looking at http://www.realvnc.com/cgi-bin/purchase.cgi?product=personal4&productTypes=LICENSE without noticing the free version.

@WMRComputers: Upstairs machine running Win2K, downstairs laptop running whatever you installed on it XP home, I think.

 

[wmrcomputers]

realvnc free version for sure mate.

It was indeed XP home wookie, you had the genuine licence key on the base of the machine so it made sense to keep it nice n legal for you.

Still going well then i assume??

 

[db]

i just use www.logmein.com.. i know it seems daft routing round the whole internet just to access a machine 20 feet away, but i'm massively lazy and haven't got round to installing vnc or anything..

 

[wmrcomputers]

i just use www.logmein.com.. i know it seems daft routing round the whole internet just to access a machine 20 feet away, but i'm massively lazy and haven't got round to installing vnc or anything..

Quite good isn't it! I've use that one in the past to remote support my customers. I like the fact that it allows the host PC to reboot the Guest system into safe mode etc., and still reconnect automatically without requiring anyone to stay sitting at the guest system.

 

[Wookie]

LogMeIn is used at my work by the IT manger to do the desktop support.
I still don't understand how it's better than WinXP's built-in remote desktop.
Yes thanks, WMR, running swimmingly (and more importantly, quietly ) Currently playing with Wubi, but I think I'm at the limits of the hardware now.

 

[db]

LogMeIn is used at my work by the IT manger to do the desktop support.
I still don't understand how it's better than WinXP's built-in remote desktop.

because you can go up to any machine running any OS and as long as it has a web browser you can log in and control any of your machines.. i can sit here and control my PC, my laptop, or my Mac all from the same interface.. it turns any browser enabled machine (even a thin client or a netbook) into a KVM no matter where you are in the world..

RD requires you to have access to the RD client, and to have installed it on the host machines, not to mention you have to have the ports open on any firewalls.. logmein Just Worksâ„¢ - i can't believe it's free..

logmein rescue is the absolute tits, but is massively expensive.. i would imagine that's what you use to help out clients, WMR! although you must be a decent sized operation; i'm sure it's a couple of grand per licence..

 

[tek-monkey]

Standard LMI is usually enough, its all we use.

 

[MyCult]

logme in has my vote,

i use it everyday

 

[db]

Standard LMI is usually enough, its all we use.

oh fo' realz, but from a support pov logmein rescue is amazing..

1) you log into logmein
2) n00b goes to http://www.logmein123.com
3) n00b gets a big white box which he types a 6 digit PIN into
4) bang - you have complete control over his machine

you don't have to install a client or anything on the n00b's machine.. someone can call you for literally the first time ever, from any internet enabled machine in the world, and hey presto it's as if you're sitting in front of it.. it even works for symbian phones!

logmein free is brilliant, but relies on you having added it to your pool of supported machines first..


edit: fixed url

 

[wmrcomputers]

Yeah I use the free version. Like you say it's a bum in the sense that you have to have it installed on all client machines, I just wish the pricing for RESCUE was more realistic for small operators like myself.
I'm trying to be the cheapest technician around, so I certainly can't afford that!!

Otherwise it's fairly cool. I also sometimes use the free service from www.teamviewer.com but again the paid version with more control is a bit too expensive - but still cheaper than logmein.