general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

  • Thread starter Thread starter ginahoy
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ginahoy

Guest
I will soon upgrade from WinME to XP. I was reviewing list of differences
between Home and Pro. One utility that caught my attention was Remote
Desktop. When traveling, I sometimes wish I had access to a file on my home
system.

I have some general questions about Remote Desktop:
1) Let's say I'm using a computer at an Internet Cafe. Does that computer
have to have special software or be running XP Pro?
2) Is it necessary to pay my ISP for a static IP? (e.g., how can I locate my
computer via the Internet?)
3) Do I have to leave my system running, or can I use a LAN card with
wake-on-lan feature?

Thanks!
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

Hello ginahoy,

First i would not upgrade from ME to XP better choose the fresh installation.

1) If it is a default config minimum XP Remote desktop is included, but it
depends on the owner of the Internet cafe. If he disables it or blocks it,
then no chance.

2) No, you can use dynamic DNS services like http://www.dyndns.com , they
will offer you a service which automaitcally checks after the ip address
change from your home router, that it will still be accessible over the internet
with the choosen name. But you also have to configure your homerouter for
access from the internet.

3) If the workstation at home supports wake on LAN and your router also can
forward the signals it should work.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.

> I will soon upgrade from WinME to XP. I was reviewing list of
> differences between Home and Pro. One utility that caught my attention
> was Remote Desktop. When traveling, I sometimes wish I had access to a
> file on my home system.
>
> I have some general questions about Remote Desktop:
> 1) Let's say I'm using a computer at an Internet Cafe. Does that
> computer
> have to have special software or be running XP Pro?
> 2) Is it necessary to pay my ISP for a static IP? (e.g., how can I
> locate my
> computer via the Internet?)
> 3) Do I have to leave my system running, or can I use a LAN card with
> wake-on-lan feature?
> Thanks!
>
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

Meinolf,
Thanks for your response. Regarding my first question...
Perhaps I used a bad example. What I'm trying to understand is if the
"local" system must support RD. For example, what if I'm visiting someone
with a MAC? In any case, I don't want to have to download any software or
add-ons to the local system in order to access my PC.

For example, there's a remote access program called NTRConnect. It operates
off its own website (apparently provides its own dynamic DNS service).
There's a free version, but in order to use "wake-on-lan" feature, you have
to upgrade to the subscription version at $10/mo. If I'm traveling overseas
for two or three weeks, I don't think I'd want to leave my PC on 24/7.

I don't travel enough to justify paying a monthly fee for this level of
service. So I'm trying to find out if Microsoft's Remote Desktop will give me
this functionality... that is, to access my PC without requiring anything of
the local computer other than Internet access and a standard browser.

if not, I'll probably choose XP Home for my new system, since there are no
other features in XP Pro that interest me. Hopefully I'll be able to find
another free or inexpensive program that will serve my remote access needs.

David

PS: I'm not upgrading my WinME system. I wouldn't dream of doing that! I'm
"upgrading" to a new PC :->
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

Hello ginahoy,

The point is that your home router must be opened for the port, that whatever
software you will use, needed. The remote connection software will connect
on different ports to the machine at your home, e.g. RDP uses Port 3389 by
default. Other software maybe other ports. So you do not have to istall software
on the machine at home but the dsl-router has to know to bypass the special
ports needed from the software for the connection.

So RDP will gave you the possibility but check your router and test before
leaving for your trip.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.

> Meinolf,
> Thanks for your response. Regarding my first question...
> Perhaps I used a bad example. What I'm trying to understand is if the
> "local" system must support RD. For example, what if I'm visiting
> someone
> with a MAC? In any case, I don't want to have to download any software
> or
> add-ons to the local system in order to access my PC.
> For example, there's a remote access program called NTRConnect. It
> operates off its own website (apparently provides its own dynamic DNS
> service). There's a free version, but in order to use "wake-on-lan"
> feature, you have to upgrade to the subscription version at $10/mo. If
> I'm traveling overseas for two or three weeks, I don't think I'd want
> to leave my PC on 24/7.
>
> I don't travel enough to justify paying a monthly fee for this level
> of service. So I'm trying to find out if Microsoft's Remote Desktop
> will give me this functionality... that is, to access my PC without
> requiring anything of the local computer other than Internet access
> and a standard browser.
>
> if not, I'll probably choose XP Home for my new system, since there
> are no other features in XP Pro that interest me. Hopefully I'll be
> able to find another free or inexpensive program that will serve my
> remote access needs.
>
> David
>
> PS: I'm not upgrading my WinME system. I wouldn't dream of doing
> that! I'm "upgrading" to a new PC :->
>
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

I think you misunderstood my question again. I am not interested in what may
or may not need to be done to configure my home system or router. I can deal
with the port issue later. That's more of a configuration detail.

By "local system", I mean the system I would be using while traveling. This
is the same way it is referred to in material I found on Microsoft website,
as well as with other remote access products, such as the one I referred to
above.

What I'm trying to determine is if RD places any requirements on the "local"
system other than having a standard browser and an Internet connection. For
example, it is my understanding that Windows ME or Windows 98 does not
support RD. But I cannot find any reference as to whether the "local" system
must include or support RD. If so, then that would eliminate my interest in
using RD.

David


"Meinolf Weber" wrote:

> Hello ginahoy,
>
> The point is that your home router must be opened for the port, that whatever
> software you will use, needed. The remote connection software will connect
> on different ports to the machine at your home, e.g. RDP uses Port 3389 by
> default. Other software maybe other ports. So you do not have to istall software
> on the machine at home but the dsl-router has to know to bypass the special
> ports needed from the software for the connection.
>
> So RDP will gave you the possibility but check your router and test before
> leaving for your trip.
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> no rights.
>
> > Meinolf,
> > Thanks for your response. Regarding my first question...
> > Perhaps I used a bad example. What I'm trying to understand is if the
> > "local" system must support RD. For example, what if I'm visiting
> > someone
> > with a MAC? In any case, I don't want to have to download any software
> > or
> > add-ons to the local system in order to access my PC.
> > For example, there's a remote access program called NTRConnect. It
> > operates off its own website (apparently provides its own dynamic DNS
> > service). There's a free version, but in order to use "wake-on-lan"
> > feature, you have to upgrade to the subscription version at $10/mo. If
> > I'm traveling overseas for two or three weeks, I don't think I'd want
> > to leave my PC on 24/7.
> >
> > I don't travel enough to justify paying a monthly fee for this level
> > of service. So I'm trying to find out if Microsoft's Remote Desktop
> > will give me this functionality... that is, to access my PC without
> > requiring anything of the local computer other than Internet access
> > and a standard browser.
> >
> > if not, I'll probably choose XP Home for my new system, since there
> > are no other features in XP Pro that interest me. Hopefully I'll be
> > able to find another free or inexpensive program that will serve my
> > remote access needs.
> >
> > David
> >
> > PS: I'm not upgrading my WinME system. I wouldn't dream of doing
> > that! I'm "upgrading" to a new PC :->
> >
>
>
>
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

"ginahoy" <ginahoy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C76F98C7-A66E-416E-8B47-BDDE5ED64382@microsoft.com...
>I think you misunderstood my question again. I am not interested in what
>may
> or may not need to be done to configure my home system or router. I can
> deal
> with the port issue later. That's more of a configuration detail.
>
> By "local system", I mean the system I would be using while traveling.
> This
> is the same way it is referred to in material I found on Microsoft
> website,
> as well as with other remote access products, such as the one I referred
> to
> above.
>
> What I'm trying to determine is if RD places any requirements on the
> "local"
> system other than having a standard browser and an Internet connection.
> For
> example, it is my understanding that Windows ME or Windows 98 does not
> support RD. But I cannot find any reference as to whether the "local"
> system
> must include or support RD. If so, then that would eliminate my interest
> in
> using RD.
>
> David
>
>
>
You could use try the Remote Desktop web based method which only requires a
web browser like IE on the remote PC. The issue is if you need to install
the ActiveX component on the remote PC then you need administrator
privileges. The other downside is your ISP must pass both TCP Port 80 (IIS)
and TCP Port 3389 (RDP) traffic. Many ISPs block TCP Port 80 traffic because
running a web server on a residential account violates the terms of service
for those type accounts.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284931/en-us
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324820/en-us

An alternative is to use an application like the free for personal use
SSL-Explorer which has a built-in Remote Desktop component and requires a
Java based browser. If Java is not installed on the remote PC then your out
of luck there also.

http://3sp.com/showSslExplorer.do

Another third-party application is the free version of LogMeIn. I don't know
if the remote PC needs a client installed or not. I think not but check
anyway.

http://www.free-remote-access.com/

By the way, this forum is really intended for Terminal Services/Server
discussions and not consumer Remote Desktop issues. Please post Remote
Desktop issues to either the microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely or
microsoft.public.vista.networking_sharing news groups depending on what
version of Windows your running. Thanks...

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

"Sooner Al [MVP]" <SoonerAl@somewhere.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:C6FF77E1-83F6-4A25-BBF6-1F0A2BF9F962@microsoft.com...
> "ginahoy" <ginahoy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C76F98C7-A66E-416E-8B47-BDDE5ED64382@microsoft.com...
>>I think you misunderstood my question again. I am not interested in what
>>may
>> or may not need to be done to configure my home system or router. I can
>> deal
>> with the port issue later. That's more of a configuration detail.
>>
>> By "local system", I mean the system I would be using while traveling.
>> This
>> is the same way it is referred to in material I found on Microsoft
>> website,
>> as well as with other remote access products, such as the one I referred
>> to
>> above.
>>
>> What I'm trying to determine is if RD places any requirements on the
>> "local"
>> system other than having a standard browser and an Internet connection.
>> For
>> example, it is my understanding that Windows ME or Windows 98 does not
>> support RD. But I cannot find any reference as to whether the "local"
>> system
>> must include or support RD. If so, then that would eliminate my interest
>> in
>> using RD.
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>>
> You could use try the Remote Desktop web based method which only requires
> a web browser like IE on the remote PC. The issue is if you need to
> install the ActiveX component on the remote PC then you need administrator
> privileges. The other downside is your ISP must pass both TCP Port 80
> (IIS) and TCP Port 3389 (RDP) traffic. Many ISPs block TCP Port 80 traffic
> because running a web server on a residential account violates the terms
> of service for those type accounts.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284931/en-us
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324820/en-us
>
> An alternative is to use an application like the free for personal use
> SSL-Explorer which has a built-in Remote Desktop component and requires a
> Java based browser. If Java is not installed on the remote PC then your
> out of luck there also.
>
> http://3sp.com/showSslExplorer.do
>
> Another third-party application is the free version of LogMeIn. I don't
> know if the remote PC needs a client installed or not. I think not but
> check anyway.
>
> http://www.free-remote-access.com/
>
> By the way, this forum is really intended for Terminal Services/Server
> discussions and not consumer Remote Desktop issues. Please post Remote
> Desktop issues to either the microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely or
> microsoft.public.vista.networking_sharing news groups depending on what
> version of Windows your running. Thanks...
>
> --
>
> Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>
> Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
> mutual benefit of all of us...
> The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights...
> How to ask a question
> http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
>

An issue I forgot to mention when using the remote PC (ie. internet cafe for
example) to connect to your home PC is the danger of key loggers. Unless you
have total control of the PC, not likely in an internet cafe or even a
friends house, you really don't know if a key logger is recording your
passwords, strong or otherwise...

Personally I would, and do, only use my own personal laptop while traveling.
Even then I only allow access into my home LAN using a Secure Shell (SSH)
connection protected by a private/public key pair and strong password.
Through the SSH tunnel I can access shared files on the SSH server PC,
remotely control all of my home PCs using Remote Desktop if needed and
anonymously surf the internet using the SSH servers SOCKS proxy
functionality.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/Ssh/SSH-HomeUser.html

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

Thanks for your responses, Al.
I had trouble finding the appropriate place to post my question. Thanks for
clarifying.
David

"Sooner Al [MVP]" wrote:

> "ginahoy" <ginahoy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C76F98C7-A66E-416E-8B47-BDDE5ED64382@microsoft.com...
> >I think you misunderstood my question again. I am not interested in what
> >may
> > or may not need to be done to configure my home system or router. I can
> > deal
> > with the port issue later. That's more of a configuration detail.
> >
> > By "local system", I mean the system I would be using while traveling.
> > This
> > is the same way it is referred to in material I found on Microsoft
> > website,
> > as well as with other remote access products, such as the one I referred
> > to
> > above.
> >
> > What I'm trying to determine is if RD places any requirements on the
> > "local"
> > system other than having a standard browser and an Internet connection.
> > For
> > example, it is my understanding that Windows ME or Windows 98 does not
> > support RD. But I cannot find any reference as to whether the "local"
> > system
> > must include or support RD. If so, then that would eliminate my interest
> > in
> > using RD.
> >
> > David
> >
> >
> >
> You could use try the Remote Desktop web based method which only requires a
> web browser like IE on the remote PC. The issue is if you need to install
> the ActiveX component on the remote PC then you need administrator
> privileges. The other downside is your ISP must pass both TCP Port 80 (IIS)
> and TCP Port 3389 (RDP) traffic. Many ISPs block TCP Port 80 traffic because
> running a web server on a residential account violates the terms of service
> for those type accounts.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284931/en-us
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324820/en-us
>
> An alternative is to use an application like the free for personal use
> SSL-Explorer which has a built-in Remote Desktop component and requires a
> Java based browser. If Java is not installed on the remote PC then your out
> of luck there also.
>
> http://3sp.com/showSslExplorer.do
>
> Another third-party application is the free version of LogMeIn. I don't know
> if the remote PC needs a client installed or not. I think not but check
> anyway.
>
> http://www.free-remote-access.com/
>
> By the way, this forum is really intended for Terminal Services/Server
> discussions and not consumer Remote Desktop issues. Please post Remote
> Desktop issues to either the microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely or
> microsoft.public.vista.networking_sharing news groups depending on what
> version of Windows your running. Thanks...
>
> --
>
> Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>
> Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
> mutual benefit of all of us...
> The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights...
> How to ask a question
> http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
>
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

On Sep 2, 2:50 pm, ginahoy <gina...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Thanks for your responses, Al.
> I had trouble finding the appropriate place to post my question. Thanks for
> clarifying.
> David
>
> "Sooner Al [MVP]" wrote:
> > "ginahoy" <gina...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >news:C76F98C7-A66E-416E-8B47-BDDE5ED64382@microsoft.com...
> > >I think you misunderstood my question again. I am not interested in what
> > >may
> > > or may not need to be done to configure my home system or router. I can
> > > deal
> > > with the port issue later. That's more of a configuration detail.
>
> > > By "local system", I mean the system I would be using while traveling.
> > > This
> > > is the same way it is referred to in material I found on Microsoft
> > > website,
> > > as well as with other remote access products, such as the one I referred
> > > to
> > > above.
>
> > > What I'm trying to determine is if RD places any requirements on the
> > > "local"
> > > system other than having a standard browser and an Internet connection.
> > > For
> > > example, it is my understanding that Windows ME or Windows 98 does not
> > > support RD. But I cannot find any reference as to whether the "local"
> > > system
> > > must include or support RD. If so, then that would eliminate my interest
> > > in
> > > using RD.
>
> > > David
>
> > You could use try the Remote Desktop web based method which only requires a
> > web browser like IE on the remote PC. The issue is if you need to install
> > the ActiveX component on the remote PC then you need administrator
> > privileges. The other downside is your ISP must pass both TCP Port 80 (IIS)
> > and TCP Port 3389 (RDP) traffic. Many ISPs block TCP Port 80 traffic because
> > running a web server on a residential account violates the terms of service
> > for those type accounts.
>
> >http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284931/en-us
> >http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324820/en-us
>
> > An alternative is to use an application like the free for personal use
> > SSL-Explorer which has a built-in Remote Desktop component and requires a
> > Java based browser. If Java is not installed on the remote PC then your out
> > of luck there also.
>
> >http://3sp.com/showSslExplorer.do
>
> > Another third-party application is the free version of LogMeIn. I don't know
> > if the remote PC needs a client installed or not. I think not but check
> > anyway.
>
> >http://www.free-remote-access.com/
>
> > By the way, this forum is really intended for Terminal Services/Server
> > discussions and not consumer Remote Desktop issues. Please post Remote
> > Desktop issues to either the microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely or
> > microsoft.public.vista.networking_sharing news groups depending on what
> > version of Windows your running. Thanks...
>
> > --
>
> > Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>
> > Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
> > mutual benefit of all of us...
> > The MS-MVP Program -http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> > rights...
> > How to ask a question
> >http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

If your home PC is anything but windows server you can use Log Me In
free to access it from virtually any internet browser. I use it for
tech support for home users all the time. The pro version adds some
nice functionality and is only
$69.95 per year.
http://www.logmein.com
 
Re: general questions on Remote Desktop (XP Pro)

I looked at LogMeIn as well, but didn't see anything in FAQ's about
wake-on-lan compatibility. Do you happen to know if it supports? If not,
what if the computer drops into hibernate mode? I wouldn't want to leave my
system on for a couple of weeks just in case I might need a file.

As I mentioned in previous post, STRconnect supports wake-on-lan, but only
with the Pro version.

"jphallett" wrote:
> If your home PC is anything but windows server you can use Log Me In
> free to access it from virtually any internet browser.
 
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