Windows XP’s remote assistance uses an internet connection to allow a remote user direct access to a problem computer. There are a couple different ways to accomplish this I will cover one way. For Remote Assistance to work you need to allow it to work through your firewall. Windows Firewall has a couple quick check boxes to enable the connection to take place, unless you choose to disable it altogether for now. Also the remote helper has to have his firewall configured to use Remote Assistance on his end.
Remote Assistance only works between Vista and XP when the XP user is requesting the assistance.
The remote helper can’t be on a XP machine helping a Vista user.
Additionally both computers need to enable the remote connections in system properties.
Here are the step by step instructions for creating a request from an XP user machine to a Vista helper machine:
click start
click control panel
click System
click Remote tab
(in Vista click Remote Settings)
check the box - Allow Remote Assistance invitations …
(in Vista check Allow Remote Assistance connections…)
click Advanced button
click Allow this computer to be controlled remotely
click ok
click start
click Help and Support
under “Ask For assistance”
click Invite a friend to connect with Remote Assistance
click Invite someone to help you
type in the help person’s email address
This processes is started by sending an email invitation to the person who you will give access to your pc. You can use Windows Messenger or Outlook from within the Help and Support Center, but you can send this invitation from any outside email program, you would have to save the invitation as a file then attach it to the email.
click Invite this person
type your name in the from box
type your message in the message box (example: Please help me!)
click continue
You are allowed to specify a time limit for this help request by typing in an expiration time starting when the message is sent from you until the time expires (in minutes hours or days from when the message is sent). If you choose 1 hour for example, the person accepting your request has only 1 hour to respond and make the connection. Then you can require a password be used by the remote person in order to connect to your computer.
choose a time limit for the help request
check the box next to - Require the recipient to use a password
type a unique password for this connection
re-type the password for confirmation
click Send Invitation
Now you simply wait for the help person to respond to your email. Of course you should be at the computer from where you sent the request and logged in under an administrator account. The remote helper will open your email and the attachment you sent. This will open the remote assistance program on his computer. The remote helper will be asked to enter the password that you the user created for this connection.
Helper opens email and attachment
User will see this box
The remote helper will then be connected. Once connected the remote helper can see the users computer screen (boxed within the remote desktop program window) just as the user sees it. Once connected the user will see a Remote Assistance chat window.
Helper will see this box
User will see this window
The two users will be able to chat using the dialog chat boxes in the Remote Assistance windows. From here the remote helper can choose to take control of the users computer. By clicking the Request Control button in the remote users Remote Assistance window. He will be able to control the mouse on the users pc, as well opening programs or typing. It’s recommended that only one person try to control the users mouse at one time. This remote controlling can be stopped at any time by the user or the remote helper (the user may press ESC key to resume local control).
Helper see this window
User will see this box
Remote Assistance is a neat program that allows a technician to fix your computer from afar, but if you have internet connection issues or no connection at all this program won’t do you much good. If you are a computer newbie and are unfamiliar with where things are in windows or a particular application is troubling you, this can really help in a fix. Avoiding a computer fix is what I’m all about!