Setup Remote Access to Home Network with XP Home SP2

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up remote access to a home network using Windows XP Home SP2. Participants explore alternatives to Remote Desktop, which is not available on this version of Windows, and share various software options for remote access.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their home network setup and expresses the need for remote access to user accounts on two machines running Windows XP Home SP2.
  • Another participant suggests using VNC software as an alternative to Remote Desktop, providing links to different VNC flavors.
  • A participant inquires about recommendations for a specific VNC flavor, emphasizing the importance of security due to their lack of expertise in networking.
  • One user mentions using UltraVNC for its "mirror" video driver and notes that RealVNC may offer better commercial strength, also mentioning additional security features available.
  • Another participant shares their experience with RealVNC, noting that while it works for some tasks, it may be too slow for effective remote desktop use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of VNC as a viable alternative for remote access, but there are differing opinions on which specific flavor is best and concerns about performance and security.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of technical expertise and concern for security, which may influence their software choices. There is no consensus on the best VNC option, and performance issues are noted without resolution.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals seeking to set up remote access on Windows XP Home SP2, especially those with limited networking knowledge or concerns about security.

Hootenanny
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I have a simple wireless network set-up at home. I have a PC connected to a printer and various other peripherals and a laptop. Both machines are connected wireless to a router which in turn is connected to the Internet. Both systems are running Win XP Home SP2. I want to be able to access user accounts on both machines via the network, i.e. work on one computer while sitting at the other. I have looked into remote desktop, but have discovered that it is only available when one machine has XP Prof. I was wandering if anyone knew of anyways of remote desk topping without have a copy of XP Prof. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Try one of the flavors of VNC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VNC
(RealVNC, UltravNC, TightVNC).

You can even run VNC from your Palm device.
http://www.btinternet.com/%7Eharakan/PalmVNC/colour_full.gif
 
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Looks good rob, thanks a lot. Is there a flavour you would recommend? I'm not exactly a network guru and security is paramount for me.
 
I use http://www.ultravnc.com/ because of the "mirror" video driver. Other flavors may have this as well.

http://www.realvnc.com/ might be the best for commercial strength.

Each has additional security features that could be installed. I just use an ssh tunnel.
 
Thanks again. I'll give it a bash when I get back off my hols :biggrin:
 
I use realvnc, but it it is probably a little to slow to be a viable remote desktop. It works ok for some tasks, though.
 

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