I want to be able to remotely control my home pc from overseas including downloading files to the home pc via remote access. What free software can carry out this task and what are the basic steps to set this up? I've heard about VNC but I'm not sure how to make it work and does it even support file transfers? Would the software be required to be installed on both computers and if so Would firewalls prohibit these programs from working? Sorry to ask so many questions but please help me out as I am new to this and it is very important that I get it to work.

I use Vnc on my linux box, it's great for linux, u would need to set up a ftp server on the machine in order to ftp to it. If u use windows pc anywhere is a bit easier.

About setting up a ftp server, is that alone enough to be able to download files to the home pc? How to setup a ftp server? I currently use cuteftp to download files but don't know how to setup my own ftp server.

If you are running a windows box, then why not use NetMeeting? It's free (comes with every windows computer as standard), you can do 'remote control' with it, and you can exchange files with it. In addition, you can chat to your wife and kids via web cam etc, which is what I do (I am from the UK, but am currently working in Abu Dhabi) - a truly marvellous bit of software, and all for free. Check it out! Then you won't need to run an FTP server. Of course, if there any firewalls between your two computers, they will need configuring to allow your netmeeting traffic through. Chances are though, that if there ARE any firewalls between your machines, FTP would be blocked as well, since it is a well known access mothod for hackers and tends to be disabled if not in use. Mark.

There is no way to transfer files through vnc? that seems a bit silly.

For windows, you can try RA software which can be downloaded from www.twd-industries.com There are normally two files: 1) Slave.exe 2) Master.exe Slave should on the pc in C:\WINDOwS folder (Winsock2 should be installed first) Master should be on your pc where you are presently located. Try this one. Nitin