remote desktop problem.. please help!

hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect to my
girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i enabled the
option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer name and
then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put anything
for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using anything
and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried doing it
again when i got home and i got a differant error message this time.. it said
remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer name or ip
address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10 minutes away
from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could tell me
what im doing wrong. thanks alot!

Hi,

First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD) is a
means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an account that
exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to the list
of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP (or
name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password. Remote
Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the machine
with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier desktop to
resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you use for
connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either function),
the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the machine
being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set up
port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
> hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect to my
> girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i enabled
> the
> option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer name
> and
> then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
> anything
> for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using anything
> and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried doing
> it
> again when i got home and i got a differant error message this time.. it
> said
> remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer name or
> ip
> address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10 minutes
> away
> from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could tell
> me
> what im doing wrong. thanks alot!

ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA? and how do
i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything. it always
asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up on her
computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one thing i
have no idea about. thanks.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD) is a
> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an account that
> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to the list
> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP (or
> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password. Remote
> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the machine
> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier desktop to
> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you use for
> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either function),
> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the machine
> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set up
> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect to my
> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i enabled
> > the
> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer name
> > and
> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
> > anything
> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using anything
> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried doing
> > it
> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this time.. it
> > said
> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer name or
> > ip
> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10 minutes
> > away
> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could tell
> > me
> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
>
>

Hi,

To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This gives
you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP Pro,
Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or Basic.
Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on, and they
must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or Vista.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
> ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA? and how
> do
> i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything. it
> always
> asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up on
> her
> computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one thing
> i
> have no idea about. thanks.
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD) is
>> a
>> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an account
>> that
>> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to the
>> list
>> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP (or
>> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password.
>> Remote
>> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
>> machine
>> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier desktop
>> to
>> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you use
>> for
>> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
>> function),
>> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the machine
>> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set up
>> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
>> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect to
>> > my
>> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
>> > enabled
>> > the
>> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer
>> > name
>> > and
>> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
>> > anything
>> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
>> > anything
>> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried
>> > doing
>> > it
>> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this time..
>> > it
>> > said
>> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer name
>> > or
>> > ip
>> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
>> > minutes
>> > away
>> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could
>> > tell
>> > me
>> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
>>
>>

ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the admin
username and password thats on my girlfriends computer? and then i would put
in her IP address on the connect screen? like i said i have vista home
premium and she has windows xp pro i believe. so that would work? let me know
if i need to do anything else. thanks!

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This gives
> you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
> account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
> automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP Pro,
> Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or Basic.
> Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on, and they
> must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or Vista.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
> > ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA? and how
> > do
> > i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything. it
> > always
> > asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up on
> > her
> > computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one thing
> > i
> > have no idea about. thanks.
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD) is
> >> a
> >> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an account
> >> that
> >> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to the
> >> list
> >> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP (or
> >> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password.
> >> Remote
> >> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
> >> machine
> >> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier desktop
> >> to
> >> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you use
> >> for
> >> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
> >> function),
> >> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the machine
> >> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set up
> >> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >>
> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
> >> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect to
> >> > my
> >> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
> >> > enabled
> >> > the
> >> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer
> >> > name
> >> > and
> >> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
> >> > anything
> >> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
> >> > anything
> >> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried
> >> > doing
> >> > it
> >> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this time..
> >> > it
> >> > said
> >> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer name
> >> > or
> >> > ip
> >> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
> >> > minutes
> >> > away
> >> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could
> >> > tell
> >> > me
> >> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
> >>
> >>
>
>

Hi,

> ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> admin
> username and password thats on my girlfriends computer?

That should work fine.

> and then i would put in her IP address on the connect screen?

Yep.

> like i said i have vista home premium and she has windows xp pro i
> believe. so that would work?

Yep.

> let me know if i need to do anything else. thanks!

Just this from my original response: "and if it's behind a router you will
also need to set up port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an
external source."

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:444FD1C2-4702-4DB9-A6B6-2AC1665893BF@microsoft.com...
> ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> admin
> username and password thats on my girlfriends computer? and then i would
> put
> in her IP address on the connect screen? like i said i have vista home
> premium and she has windows xp pro i believe. so that would work? let me
> know
> if i need to do anything else. thanks!
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This
>> gives
>> you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
>> account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
>> automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP
>> Pro,
>> Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or
>> Basic.
>> Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on, and
>> they
>> must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or Vista.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
>> > ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA? and
>> > how
>> > do
>> > i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything. it
>> > always
>> > asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up on
>> > her
>> > computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one
>> > thing
>> > i
>> > have no idea about. thanks.
>> >
>> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD)
>> >> is
>> >> a
>> >> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an
>> >> account
>> >> that
>> >> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to
>> >> the
>> >> list
>> >> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP
>> >> (or
>> >> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password.
>> >> Remote
>> >> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
>> >> machine
>> >> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier
>> >> desktop
>> >> to
>> >> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you
>> >> use
>> >> for
>> >> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
>> >> function),
>> >> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the
>> >> machine
>> >> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set
>> >> up
>> >> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best of Luck,
>> >>
>> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >>
>> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
>> >> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect
>> >> > to
>> >> > my
>> >> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
>> >> > enabled
>> >> > the
>> >> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer
>> >> > name
>> >> > and
>> >> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
>> >> > anything
>> >> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
>> >> > anything
>> >> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried
>> >> > doing
>> >> > it
>> >> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this
>> >> > time..
>> >> > it
>> >> > said
>> >> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer
>> >> > name
>> >> > or
>> >> > ip
>> >> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
>> >> > minutes
>> >> > away
>> >> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could
>> >> > tell
>> >> > me
>> >> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

"Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:eeBnxAzmHHA.2596@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

<snipped>

>> let me know if i need to do anything else. thanks!
>
> Just this from my original response: "and if it's behind a router you will
> also need to set up port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an
> external source."

Which is exactly why I prefer the FREE LogMeIn account. Port forwarding
does expose your girlfriend's PC to brute force hacking attacks.

If you do expose your ports for all the world to sniff, at least change the
exposed port on your router to something other than 3389. Exposing a 3389
port on your router just screams "HEY! I HAVE THIS PC LISTENING FOR AN RDP
CONNECTION!" - and that's what bots look for.

LogMeIn, on the other hand, exposes no ports and does not require any router
changes. (Did I mention that LogMeIn is free?)

squishy

one more quick question.. instead of using the admin user name, could i make
a new user name and password on her pc with admin privileges would that still
give me access to everything? or do i have to use the admin username and pass?

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> > admin
> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer?
>
> That should work fine.
>
> > and then i would put in her IP address on the connect screen?
>
> Yep.
>
> > like i said i have vista home premium and she has windows xp pro i
> > believe. so that would work?
>
> Yep.
>
> > let me know if i need to do anything else. thanks!
>
> Just this from my original response: "and if it's behind a router you will
> also need to set up port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an
> external source."
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:444FD1C2-4702-4DB9-A6B6-2AC1665893BF@microsoft.com...
> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> > admin
> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer? and then i would
> > put
> > in her IP address on the connect screen? like i said i have vista home
> > premium and she has windows xp pro i believe. so that would work? let me
> > know
> > if i need to do anything else. thanks!
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This
> >> gives
> >> you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
> >> account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
> >> automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP
> >> Pro,
> >> Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or
> >> Basic.
> >> Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on, and
> >> they
> >> must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or Vista.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >>
> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
> >> > ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA? and
> >> > how
> >> > do
> >> > i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything. it
> >> > always
> >> > asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up on
> >> > her
> >> > computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one
> >> > thing
> >> > i
> >> > have no idea about. thanks.
> >> >
> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop (RD)
> >> >> is
> >> >> a
> >> >> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an
> >> >> account
> >> >> that
> >> >> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to
> >> >> the
> >> >> list
> >> >> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's IP
> >> >> (or
> >> >> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and password.
> >> >> Remote
> >> >> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
> >> >> machine
> >> >> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier
> >> >> desktop
> >> >> to
> >> >> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you
> >> >> use
> >> >> for
> >> >> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
> >> >> function),
> >> >> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the
> >> >> machine
> >> >> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to set
> >> >> up
> >> >> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >>
> >> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to connect
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
> >> >> > enabled
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her computer
> >> >> > name
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just put
> >> >> > anything
> >> >> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
> >> >> > anything
> >> >> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i tried
> >> >> > doing
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this
> >> >> > time..
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > said
> >> >> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer
> >> >> > name
> >> >> > or
> >> >> > ip
> >> >> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
> >> >> > minutes
> >> >> > away
> >> >> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys could
> >> >> > tell
> >> >> > me
> >> >> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>

Hi,

No, you don't have to use "the" admin account, you can create an account of
your own (but you or she will have to do this before you logon remotely). If
the account you create is admin-level, then it will be added to the list of
remote users automatically.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4B02D475-CDA3-4689-873F-C847079A23FC@microsoft.com...
> one more quick question.. instead of using the admin user name, could i
> make
> a new user name and password on her pc with admin privileges would that
> still
> give me access to everything? or do i have to use the admin username and
> pass?
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
>> > admin
>> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer?
>>
>> That should work fine.
>>
>> > and then i would put in her IP address on the connect screen?
>>
>> Yep.
>>
>> > like i said i have vista home premium and she has windows xp pro i
>> > believe. so that would work?
>>
>> Yep.
>>
>> > let me know if i need to do anything else. thanks!
>>
>> Just this from my original response: "and if it's behind a router you
>> will
>> also need to set up port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an
>> external source."
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:444FD1C2-4702-4DB9-A6B6-2AC1665893BF@microsoft.com...
>> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
>> > admin
>> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer? and then i
>> > would
>> > put
>> > in her IP address on the connect screen? like i said i have vista home
>> > premium and she has windows xp pro i believe. so that would work? let
>> > me
>> > know
>> > if i need to do anything else. thanks!
>> >
>> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This
>> >> gives
>> >> you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
>> >> account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
>> >> automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP
>> >> Pro,
>> >> Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or
>> >> Basic.
>> >> Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on,
>> >> and
>> >> they
>> >> must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or
>> >> Vista.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best of Luck,
>> >>
>> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >>
>> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
>> >> > ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA?
>> >> > and
>> >> > how
>> >> > do
>> >> > i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything.
>> >> > it
>> >> > always
>> >> > asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up
>> >> > on
>> >> > her
>> >> > computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one
>> >> > thing
>> >> > i
>> >> > have no idea about. thanks.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop
>> >> >> (RD)
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> a
>> >> >> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an
>> >> >> account
>> >> >> that
>> >> >> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> list
>> >> >> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's
>> >> >> IP
>> >> >> (or
>> >> >> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and
>> >> >> password.
>> >> >> Remote
>> >> >> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
>> >> >> machine
>> >> >> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier
>> >> >> desktop
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you
>> >> >> use
>> >> >> for
>> >> >> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
>> >> >> function),
>> >> >> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the
>> >> >> machine
>> >> >> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to
>> >> >> set
>> >> >> up
>> >> >> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Best of Luck,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to
>> >> >> > connect
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > my
>> >> >> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
>> >> >> > enabled
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her
>> >> >> > computer
>> >> >> > name
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just
>> >> >> > put
>> >> >> > anything
>> >> >> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
>> >> >> > anything
>> >> >> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i
>> >> >> > tried
>> >> >> > doing
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this
>> >> >> > time..
>> >> >> > it
>> >> >> > said
>> >> >> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer
>> >> >> > name
>> >> >> > or
>> >> >> > ip
>> >> >> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
>> >> >> > minutes
>> >> >> > away
>> >> >> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys
>> >> >> > could
>> >> >> > tell
>> >> >> > me
>> >> >> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

ok.. i tried using RD on my other computer in the house first just to see if
it would work.. that pc is running win xp home. i setup an admin username and
password on it, got his IP address and then i enabled remote access on my
router.. for some reason there were no options for ports on it.. its a
westell versalink which is a modem/router combo. but anyways, it didnt work.
is it because my other pc is running xp home? if it is, how come my other pc
had the RD software on it also? would that only allow RD between xp home to
xp home pc's?

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> No, you don't have to use "the" admin account, you can create an account of
> your own (but you or she will have to do this before you logon remotely). If
> the account you create is admin-level, then it will be added to the list of
> remote users automatically.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4B02D475-CDA3-4689-873F-C847079A23FC@microsoft.com...
> > one more quick question.. instead of using the admin user name, could i
> > make
> > a new user name and password on her pc with admin privileges would that
> > still
> > give me access to everything? or do i have to use the admin username and
> > pass?
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> >> > admin
> >> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer?
> >>
> >> That should work fine.
> >>
> >> > and then i would put in her IP address on the connect screen?
> >>
> >> Yep.
> >>
> >> > like i said i have vista home premium and she has windows xp pro i
> >> > believe. so that would work?
> >>
> >> Yep.
> >>
> >> > let me know if i need to do anything else. thanks!
> >>
> >> Just this from my original response: "and if it's behind a router you
> >> will
> >> also need to set up port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an
> >> external source."
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >>
> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:444FD1C2-4702-4DB9-A6B6-2AC1665893BF@microsoft.com...
> >> > ok so then ill try RD.. for the username and password i would use the
> >> > admin
> >> > username and password thats on my girlfriends computer? and then i
> >> > would
> >> > put
> >> > in her IP address on the connect screen? like i said i have vista home
> >> > premium and she has windows xp pro i believe. so that would work? let
> >> > me
> >> > know
> >> > if i need to do anything else. thanks!
> >> >
> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >> To login without the other user present, you use Remote Desktop. This
> >> >> gives
> >> >> you full access to the machine and all files on it. You logon using an
> >> >> account that already exists on that machine (all admin accounts
> >> >> automatically have Remote Desktop access). RD is only available in XP
> >> >> Pro,
> >> >> Vista Business or Ultimate, and not XP Home or Vista Home Premium or
> >> >> Basic.
> >> >> Remote Assistance requires the other user be present and logged on,
> >> >> and
> >> >> they
> >> >> must authenticate your request. RA works with any version of XP or
> >> >> Vista.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >>
> >> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:80B466AC-7119-42F4-8FC1-43564BDFD954@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > ok so what one allows you to view files and everything? RD or RA?
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > how
> >> >> > do
> >> >> > i go about connecting my computer to her IP address and everything.
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > always
> >> >> > asks for a username and password.. im guessing i have to set that up
> >> >> > on
> >> >> > her
> >> >> > computer? if so, how do i go about doing that? im sorry, this is one
> >> >> > thing
> >> >> > i
> >> >> > have no idea about. thanks.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> First, you are confusing two different functions. Remote Desktop
> >> >> >> (RD)
> >> >> >> is
> >> >> >> a
> >> >> >> means of logging onto a machine from a remote location using an
> >> >> >> account
> >> >> >> that
> >> >> >> exists already on that machine and is a) passworded and b) added to
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> list
> >> >> >> of Remote Desktop users. To use RD you have to know the machine's
> >> >> >> IP
> >> >> >> (or
> >> >> >> name if it's on a local lan) and have the account name and
> >> >> >> password.
> >> >> >> Remote
> >> >> >> Assistance (RA) is a feature that allows you to take control of the
> >> >> >> machine
> >> >> >> with the currently logged on user's permission and work on thier
> >> >> >> desktop
> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> resolve an issue. For RA, the user sends you an invitation that you
> >> >> >> use
> >> >> >> for
> >> >> >> connection. If you are connecting over the internet (for either
> >> >> >> function),
> >> >> >> the machine name will not be sufficient. You need the IP of the
> >> >> >> machine
> >> >> >> being accessed, and if it's behind a router you will also need to
> >> >> >> set
> >> >> >> up
> >> >> >> port forwarding on 3389 for access initiated by an external source.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >> >> >> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >> >> >> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "VeNoM0713" <VeNoM0713@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:338E89D2-1DAC-464E-A3CA-0F166E6F9371@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > hello, im using windows vista home premium and im trying to
> >> >> >> > connect
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> > girlfriends pc (she has win xp home or pro.. cant remember) and i
> >> >> >> > enabled
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > option on her pc for remote assistance.. now i type in her
> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> > name
> >> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> > then it asks me for a username and a password.. now can i just
> >> >> >> > put
> >> >> >> > anything
> >> >> >> > for that or is it a certain username/password? i tried just using
> >> >> >> > anything
> >> >> >> > and it said it couldnt connect to the remote computer. and i
> >> >> >> > tried
> >> >> >> > doing
> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> > again when i got home and i got a differant error message this
> >> >> >> > time..
> >> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> > said
> >> >> >> > remote desktop cannot find the remote computer. type the computer
> >> >> >> > name
> >> >> >> > or
> >> >> >> > ip
> >> >> >> > address again, and try connecting. should it matter if i live 10
> >> >> >> > minutes
> >> >> >> > away
> >> >> >> > from her when im trying to use this? i would love if you guys
> >> >> >> > could
> >> >> >> > tell
> >> >> >> > me
> >> >> >> > what im doing wrong. thanks alot!
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>