Remote access

[DiscoStu]

I'm getting a bit bored with spending hours on the phone to my old man while he ineptly clicks his way through control panel asking me if he should be using the right or left mouse button trying to resolve whatever he's screwed up this time.

Is there a (preferably free) solution I can use to remotely access his desktop from my XP box to his Vista box over the internet and save myself hours of frustration?

TIA

 

[Spacecadet]

I'm getting a bit bored with spending hours on the phone to my old man while he ineptly clicks his way through control panel asking me if he should be using the right or left mouse button trying to resolve whatever he's screwed up this time.

Is there a (preferably free) solution I can use to remotely access his desktop from my XP box to his Vista box over the internet and save myself hours of frustration?

TIA

This stuff is built in... you might need to port forward on his router if he has one.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/398b5eda-aa7f-4078-94c5-1519b697bfa01033.mspx

Alternatively, there are features built into MSN messenger that allow you to take control of his PC, I actually do this sometimes for one of my clients when they need some quick help with something and I'm elsewhere

or

<NickFitz>
Buy him a Mac
</NickFitz>

 

[downsouth]

I use a product called Crossloop, free to use

 

[voodooflux]

Is there a (preferably free) solution I can use to remotely access his desktop from my XP box to his Vista box over the internet and save myself hours of frustration?

I can empathise fully. As Spacecadet mentioned, I usually get my pop to request Remote Assistance from Windows Live Messenger - works a treat.

 

[Netraider]

I use a product called Crossloop, free to use

Same here. Easy to use.

 

[d000hg]

You could try https://www.copilot.com, I think they have a free demo and in theory you simply send him an email, he clicks on a link and off you go.

 

[techno]

I use www.logmein.com

The have several versions but I use the free one and no issues so far !

 

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Another vote for www.logmein.com

It doesn't help me when my old man phones me and asks how to work the telly though!

 

[Sockpuppet]

WinVNC?

 

[kirk]

Rdp?