Easiest way to access workstation remotely (Win XP)

2-3 times a year, I go out of town for 1-2 weeks. I would like to be
able to use my workstation remotely using my laptop.

I see that there are solutions that I buy (pcanywhere) and solutions
that I rent (gotomypc).

I am looking for the simplest soluition that will allow me to use my
workstation as fuly as possible.

Can anyone make a recommendation?

The built-in Remote Desktop function will allow you to do that. Note the
workstation you want to remotely access/control must be running XP Pro or
MCE...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...moteintro.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...y/default.mspx

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.or...eshooting.html

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

"Lurfys Maw" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:ehd454dv6cnaqg15j9u0iu0a2m97qe14un@4ax.com...
> 2-3 times a year, I go out of town for 1-2 weeks. I would like to be
> able to use my workstation remotely using my laptop.
>
> I see that there are solutions that I buy (pcanywhere) and solutions
> that I rent (gotomypc).
>
> I am looking for the simplest soluition that will allow me to use my
> workstation as fuly as possible.
>
> Can anyone make a recommendation?

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:05:54 -0500, "Sooner Al [MVP]"
<SoonerAl@somewhere.net.invalid> wrote:

>
>The built-in Remote Desktop function will allow you to do that. Note the
>workstation you want to remotely access/control must be running XP Pro or
>MCE...
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...moteintro.mspx
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...y/default.mspx
>
>http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.or...eshooting.html

Both the workstation and the laptop are running XP Pro.

What are the advantages of products like GoToMyPV or PCAnywhere over
what's built into Windows?

I am looking for a plug-and-play solution. I don't want to spend 2
days getting it working and then constantly chasing bugs. Does Remote
Desktop require more than general user knowledge or skill or do these
other products make it either easier or more reliable? I read through
the posts here. A lot of people seem to have problems getting RD to
work.

Do the other products offer other features not available in RD? If so,
can you say what they are?

There must be some advantages or they wouldn't be in business.

Depending on where your at, ie. a remote corporate site for example, its
possible the network administrators may block TCP Port 3389 (Remote Desktop)
outbound as a security measure, ie. they don't want users to connect an
untrusted system like their home PCs to the work trusted system. In a case
like that you really need to work with the network admins if its a
legitimate work related need.

If your using your own laptop at a hotel or public wireless hotspot then
that will not be an issue.

I tend not to use products like GoToMyPC because they depend on a
third-party server to access the remote PC. I tend to like to have complete
control of the data link. That comes down to a personal risk threshold.

PCAnyWhere is just like Remote Desktop [RDC] except RDC is built-into XP and
is *FREE*.

Virtual Network Computing [VNC], any flavor, is similar to RDC. The native
VNC data link is *NOT* encrypted while RDC is natively encrypted. Also, in
my experience, VNC is slower than RDC.

IMO, RDC is very easy to use. Folks have problems with any software package.
Its no different. If you have problems with RDC just post back. Your
friendly MS-MVPs and others are more than willing to help.

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

"Lurfys Maw" <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:irr454tgkhqnv60l4r0gmv201oc9tnkc2m@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:05:54 -0500, "Sooner Al [MVP]"
>
> Both the workstation and the laptop are running XP Pro.
>
> What are the advantages of products like GoToMyPV or PCAnywhere over
> what's built into Windows?
>
> I am looking for a plug-and-play solution. I don't want to spend 2
> days getting it working and then constantly chasing bugs. Does Remote
> Desktop require more than general user knowledge or skill or do these
> other products make it either easier or more reliable? I read through
> the posts here. A lot of people seem to have problems getting RD to
> work.
>
> Do the other products offer other features not available in RD? If so,
> can you say what they are?
>
> There must be some advantages or they wouldn't be in business.