Sometimes the most difficult problems to diagnose
are configuration issues/bugs that arise on the buyer's system that you simply
can't duplicate on your own system. Experienced coders quickly learn that
every computer in the world is a little different, and diagnosing the problem
from a vague description from the buyer is usually almost impossible. And
since most Rent a Coder contracts require that you get the program in "ready to
run" condition on the buyer's system, you may be asking "What do I do, in these
cases?"
Fortunately there are a number
of products available today that allow you to remotely access your buyer's
machine over the Internet. This not only helps you to solve the problem,
but also shows the buyer your level of commitment in making sure the job gets
done.
Most people are familiar with
PCAnywhere, GotoMyPC.com. But not many realize that there is a feature
built into Windows XP that will allows you to do this completely for free!
It's called "Microsoft Windows XP Remote Assistance" and this tutorial details
exactly how to use it. (Note: since this product does require XP on both
sides, it is not useful for those running Linux and other operating systems.
However, if you know of a free product that works well in those cases, then
please feel free to share it with me. I welcome your articles on
this and other coder related topics.)
How to use Microsoft Windows
XP Remote Assistance
Remote Assistance allows an “expert” to view (and
optionally control) anyone else’s Windows XP machine from any other Windows XP
machine in the world…over the Internet. It’s a fantastic tool for
collaboration or allowing an expert to assist with configuring, troubleshooting,
or training. And the best part about it is that it is a free and built-in
feature of Windows XP!
Setup
The following instructions should be done on both the
computer of the person being helped and the expert doing the helping.
First, the easiest way of running Remote Assistance is with
MSN Instant Messenger, because it avoids the firewall issues associated with
other methods and is quicker to do. So I highly recommend that you do this by
setting up your MSN Instant Messenger with a Microsoft Passport account (if you
haven’t already).
Next, to allow your PC to use Remote assistance, do the
following:
1) Click on the
‘start’ button and then ‘control panel’. In the
Control-Panel, select the ‘performance and maintenance’ category (you can skip
this step if you are a pro and have your control panel set to ”classic view”).
Then click on the System icon which looks like this:
2) Select the tab “Remote”. You’ll see the below. Make sure the checkbox
under “Remote Assistance” is checked. (Note: The bottom section of the picture
below will not be viewable to you if you are not running Windows XP
Professional)
4) Then click the ‘advanced’ tab and you’ll see the below. Check the “Allow
this computer to be controlled remotely” if you want that to be done.
Invoking remote assistance
For security reasons, the person being helped must request
assistance from the expert...it does not work the other way around. If you are
the person being helped, here is how to do it.
1)
First make
sure the expert helping you appears on your list of contacts in MSN Instant
Messenger (and is online). If they are not there…add them.
2)
Click on
‘start’, ‘all programs’, ‘remote assistance’.
3)
The Remote
Assistance ‘help’ screen will appear (see below). Click on “Invite someone to
help you”.
4) Three options will
appear that you can choose. I recommend choosing “Windows Messenger” as it is
the simplest (but if you want to use one of the other methods, the link at the
end of this document under ‘resources’ explains how to use those methods).
Assuming you go with Windows Messenger…do the following.
5) If you are not logged into MS Messenger yet, you will
see the below screen. If so, then click ‘sign in’ to begin…
6) Your MSN Windows
Messenger contact will appear. Select the expert you are receiving assistance
from and then click “Invite this person”:
7) Then wait for them to connect!
Troubleshooting
If you are running a firewall such as ZoneAlarm, you may
run into problem connecting via Remote Assistance if it blocks port 3389. If
this is the case then make sure you unblock that port.
More Information
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gethelp/remoteassist/default.asp
Microsoft Tutorial on Remote Assistance
http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/1474021
Nicely done independent 3rd party tutorial on Remote Assistance
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