Remote Access my Windows Box

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brylee

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Topic # 6018 16-Dec-2005 18:26
I want to access data files on my home computer while I travel away. For instance, I want to be able to open and modify an excel document that is on my home computer. I looked into this remote access software called RemotePC. Any suggestions?

freitasm

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Reply # 24880 16-Dec-2005 19:56
You can use Windows RDP, if running Windows XP - it's free and part of the OS. But you need to forward some ports on your firewall. The other alternatives are Gotomypc (paid service) or logmein (free, with paid option). These are good because you don't need to change your firewall. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

brylee

3 posts

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Reply # 24886 16-Dec-2005 23:09
Well thanks for the reply, let me look into these services and come back soon.

sbiddle

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Reply # 24897 17-Dec-2005 11:13
Another option is RemotelyAnywhere (www.remotelyanywhere.com) It's probably the most expensive option but is an extremely powerful program that will do everything you want and more! *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

Mutly

234 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 24936 18-Dec-2005 20:55
Setting up a simple ftp server on your PC would allow this. Free and secure (if set up properly).

brylee

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Reply # 24995 19-Dec-2005 20:03
FTP Server... ? How to.. ? Is there any links you can get me around for this...

Mutly

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Reply # 24996 19-Dec-2005 21:31
Download a copy of Cerberus FTP server from here: http://www.cerberusftp.com/ Install, fire up. Open the use manager and remove anonymous access. Create a user account for yourself, and add whatever directories you want to the ftp root (the whole C drive if you feel the need just browse to where you want and lick the add to root). Open port 21 on your firewall and leave your PC running. Should be all good. IF you know your PCs ip addy, then you just need to ftp to that ip number with your fave ftp client and log in with the account you created - download files, edit, upload file. Cerberus is quite inuitive to set up, and best of all, free for personal use.

Jama

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Reply # 25002 20-Dec-2005 07:48
I use Tight VNC which is free and works very, very well.

Mutly

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Reply # 25009 20-Dec-2005 08:47
All of these remote desktop solutions like VNC, remote desktop etc are all very good if you want to use your desktop computer from a remote location. However, as far as i can tell, all brylee wants to do is open and edit documents on the PC. FTP will provide this without all the overhead associated with remote controlling a PC. That said, if brylee does want to remotely control his/her pc, then the Windows RDP or TightVNC are ideal and free.

freitasm

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Reply # 25013 20-Dec-2005 09:09
Fair enough. Just take in consideration that VNC, RDP and FTP all require the user to open a port on the firewall, while solutions such as gotomypc, logmein and others will use outgoing http connections only. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs