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Hi
I've read various posts regarding Remote Access but none really give me the exact answers I'm looking for :
I have 3 Windows XP PCs networked via a Netgear DG834G modem/router.
I would like to be able to access files on one of the 3 computers from my laptop at home.
1. Is it possible?
2. Practically, once set up, how would I go about the process from my laptop? I'm guessing typing in some IP address and being asked for a user name and password for access?
3. Would any router settings need altering from default?
4. What software (if any) would I need on the PC and my laptop?
TIA
"Don't eat yellow snow"
Martin
If you have XP, you can use Remote Desktop, which comes with XP PRO.
You will have to type the ip address of the router and the RDP port (3389), like ipaddress:port
You also have to enable the Remote Assistance and Remote Access.
To set up this computer to use Remote Desktop
Open System in Control Panel.
On the Remote tab, select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box.
WILL POST FOR FOOD.
0 
Is the laptop onthe same network as the three PCs? If so, you just need to create a share - you don't need remote desktop.
If the computers are on a different network and you want to use remote desktop:
you will need to foreward port 3389 from the router to the machine you want to connect to. This is done int he router configuration. You would then connect by using the external IP of the router. If you want to connect to any of the PCs behind the router you can set up each one to use a different port. there are instruction on how to set this up on MS's site. Do a seach for "changing remote desktop port"
Michael J
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"I've read various posts regarding Remote Access but none really give me the exact answers I'm looking for :"
Would that be because they did not refer to your 'exact' PC's?
Were those posts on this site or another?
Looking at your questions would suggest that you have not looked for answers on this site at all as the "exact" questions have been answered many times over.
This Geek.com article covers just about every scenario out there. Hope it helps you too.
(Maybe use text to speech so it will 'tell' you the answers.)
Best regards,
Bryan
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Is your laptop at "Home" connected to these three XP machines? Or, are you saying you have three computers in one facility (work for example) and you want to access one of them from your laptop while you're at home?
Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!!
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Hi guys
Thanks so much for all the feedback so far, especially you Bryan, I love your 'humour'
The laptop is at home, the 3 desktops are at another location, work, and behind the said router.
I will have a play with the settings based on the advice offered so far and read up on the fundamental differences between Remote Access, Remote Desktop & Remote Assitance.
The other questions that come to mind are :
What about the "static IP" issue? Am I correct in thinking that ISPs issue different IPs to a PC each time it connects to the internet? I'm really vague about how all this works so forgive me if my questions don't even make sense.
Also, assuming I have a "static IP" that would obviously have to remain top secret to stop just anyone logging on to my work machine? Or would I be prompted for some sort of password when I log on?
And finally, assuming I could set this all up correctly would I be using what is invariably called a VPN?
I may well find the answers to all these questions whilst reading Brian's linked Geek.Com page.
Wise man once say "Sometimes it save much time to ask oft repeated question to get answer much faster than trawling dozens of webpages because many people very helpful and not mind providing repeated answers to each lazy dumbo that come along"
"Don't eat yellow snow"
Martin
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OK, I'll try and explain and not make it more confusing.
Remote Desktop allows you to log into a computer as if you were sitting at it. You will have sole control of the machine (however, someone who is physically at the macine can log in and kick you out, but you can do the same back to them!). Remote Assistance allows you to connect to the machine while someone else is logged in. You connect to their same "session" and both of you can control the computer. Remote Access is just a generic term (AFIK) to describe several different types of connections.
Now about IPs. Typically (in my experience) ISP's generally use Dynamic IPs for residential customers and Static IPs for business customers. All that means is that the business is guaranteed to always have the same IP - this way they can weasily host a website or service. however, my ISP gives me a dynamic IP and it has only changed once or twice the last few years! Now remember, we are talking about your PUBLIC IP, this is the one that is broadcast whenever you are on the internet.
Now if a computer is behind a router you can be using a PUBLIC or PRIVATE IP. On a home network your router will use NAT (Network Address Translation) so that you can have a private network (with private IPs) and all the machines will request access through the router using the single PUBLIC IP. However, some businesses will use PUBLIC IPs for all the machines. You will need to find out from your network admin.
If the machines are using PUBLIC IPs you will just need to use that to connect through RD (Remote Desktop). Otherwise someone will need to configure the router to allow remote desktop sessions through the router. As I stated previously RD uses port 3389 by default. If you want to connect to mutiple computers through a single PUBLIC IP you will need to configure it to use different ports.
Keeping you IP secret is not really an option. There are many ways for people to obtain your IP and to discover that port 3389 is open. When you use RD all admin account by default and other accounts you specify on that computer will be able to connect. You will need to connect using the same username and password that you would if you were sitting at the machine.
RD is not VPN. VPN allows you to connect to the network remotely. It mirrors what would happen if you physically took your machine to the office and connected it to the network. Your affice network would have to be configured to allow this kind of access.
Michael J
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martin, first of all, you need to check with your Domain and/or network Administrators to see if it's even possible for you to connect to your machines from the outside. If not, the rest is all moot.
Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!!
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Michael
Thanks so much, that really answers the questions I had in my head. I'll be trying this next week I'll let you know how I get on. Just to clarify, if I have a public IP people would still need the desktop password for the remote computer to log on so this is a simple way to prevent unauthorised access via the public IP?
Jen
It's just a simple 3 PC network behind a regular modem router.
"Don't eat yellow snow"
Martin
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