remote access to a computer.

[chisbury]

Hi,

background info first......im planning to go to New Zealand for a month in August, however, i will need access to my computer, whilst im away. Its a long story but to cut it short.

is the best way forward a package like go to my pc or the webex etc a good idea or is there a way i can dial into my computer. particularly as the coverage i can see for the mobile phone in New zealand doesnt have data, therefore it may be difficult to get into go to my pc or simillar in the first place.

potentially i may need access everyday. ideas or simillar very welcome.

here the machine is xp, the new one in is vista (but currently having other issues with networking so that (vista)cant be considered as a main machine for a long time).

anna

[8bit]

Depends what you mean by "dial into" and "need access". If you mean you'll need to be able to run programs etc. (i.e. use it as a desktop machine) from over there then you'll need some software such as you've already mentioned. I recommend VNC, it's free, just set the server bit up on the computer and download a (similarly free) viewer at the other end. Bear in mind you'll need to configure the router and whatever firewall(s) you use to allow incoming VNC traffic (port number 5900 on both TCP and UDP).

Performance probably won't be great though, even if your connection here is on ADSL broadband. What kind of internet connection is the PC you need access to using? If broadband, is it a router or USB modem making the connection? Will you be accessing it from a PC or only your mobile phone?

8bit

PS. Wish I was going to New Zealand!

[Moby-Dick]

have a look at Logmein - its free and pretty easy to use.

*actually reads the post*

so you want to remote control your PC via your phone from NewZealand , where there may not actually be GPRS coverage...

[b0redom]

Really consider taking a laptop. Remote controlling a PC from a phone will cost a FORTUNE in roaming charges. What do you actually need? If it's just documents etc, consider taking them on a memory stick.

[dangel]

I use ultravnc on my home server which is nice - it has a web browser UI so you only need a browser to get to it. I also use hamachi to setup a secure VPN to it - brilliant bit of software.

[0iD]

What if he has a dynamic IP too?

[dangel]

What if he has a dynamic IP too?

Hamachi makes the IP irrelevant though (it setups up a vitual LAN which has it's own ip addresses). If you don't want to use hamachi then it's easy to sort by using no-ip.org to create a 'domain' that auto updates your IP (you either run a tray app on the server or install a service). No-IP - Dynamic DNS, Static DNS for Your Dynamic IP

so you could type something like: "http://oid.no-ip.org:500" to connect to a ultravnc service on the target machine (assuming you had port forwarding setup on your router at home on port 500).

All this software is free too

[0iD]

Ooooo, clever

[mycarsavw]

What if he has a dynamic IP too?

He's a she

Why not take everything with you on a USB drive as mentioned above, or, if you have a lot to take with you, get yourself a laptop drive and external enclosure.