how do i remote access another computer?

[Wildside]

My friend has problems with his computer again, and i feel bad for him traveling an hour to my house just so i can fix it when i probably can just remote access. Me techie, he isnt. We both have Vista too. Has problems that also affected his internet connection, so that is another issue too but i will try remote access still anyways.

any higher level techies know much about remote access with Vista?

 

[Hefemeister]

The easiest would be for him to start a remote assistance.
Get help with your computer using Windows Remote Assistance - Windows Vista Help

you could also use a third party software program such as logmein.

Of course if his internet is not working you are out of luck.

 

[ROFL_A_PIGGY]

Teamviewer is a good piece of free software so that you can either look at what he is doing on his screen, or you can control it.

 

[Lexluethar]

I'm a fan of Logmein, but that is also because a lot of computers i'm connecting to are XP and I never had a ton of luck with XP's remote tool.

Vista is a different story, the Remote Assistance is a great tool - especially if this is just one PC. Use a tool like logmein if you need to connect to multiple computers and keep them organized.

 

[james.wired]

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but do you have to be running the same OS as the computer you are trying to access/control?

 

[Hefemeister]

nope.

 

[patonb]

My fav is still windows remote login... Bewarned, vistas firewall usually seem to be set to not allow it.

 

[Wildside]

getting many answers, so to sum it all up, what is the best freeware or option i can use that would be easiest for him to understand?

 

[patonb]

Win remote assistance..... Just get them to email you a request and password.

 

[Trotter]

TeamViewer is super simple to use, actually. I highly recommend it. I use it for several computers I take care of for people.