Solve Employer Configuration Issues Quicker with (the Free) Microsoft Windows Remote Assistance
By Ian Ippolito
Owner of vWorker.com

    Sometimes the most difficult problems to diagnose are configuration issues/bugs that arise on the employer's system that you simply can't duplicate on your own system.  Experienced workers quickly learn that every computer in the world is a little different, and diagnosing the problem from a vague description from the employer is usually almost impossible.  And since most vWorker.com contracts require that you get the program in "ready to run" condition on the employer's system, you may be asking "What do I do, in these cases?"

    Fortunately there are a number of products available today that allow you to remotely access your employer's machine over the Internet.  This not only helps you to solve the problem, but also shows the employer your level of commitment in making sure the job gets done. 

    Most people are familiar with PCAnywhere, GotoMyPC.com.  But not many realize that there is a feature built into Windows that will allows you to do this completely for free!  It's called "Microsoft Windows Remote Assistance" and this tutorial details exactly how to use it.  (Note: since this product does require Windows XP or greater on both sides, it is not useful for those running Linux and other operating systems.  However, if you know of a free product that works well in those cases, then please feel free to share it with me.   I welcome your articles on this and other worker related topics.)

How to use Microsoft Windows Remote Assistance

     Remote Assistance allows an "expert" to view (and optionally control) anyone else's Windows machine from any other Windows machine in the world over the Internet.   It's a fantastic tool for collaboration or allowing an expert to assist with configuring, troubleshooting, or training.  And the best part about it is that it is a free and built-in feature of Windows XP!

 

Setup

 

The following instructions should be done on both the computer of the person being helped and the expert doing the helping. 

First, the easiest way of running Remote Assistance is with MSN Instant Messenger, because it avoids the firewall issues associated with other methods and is quicker to do.  So I highly recommend that you do this by setting up your MSN Instant Messenger with a Microsoft Passport account (if you haven"t already).

Next, to allow your PC to use Remote assistance, do the following:

1) Click on the "start" button and then "control panel".  In the Control-Panel, select the "performance and maintenance" category (you can skip this step if you are a pro and have your control panel set to "classic view").   Then click on the System icon which looks like this:


2) Select the tab "Remote".   You'll see the below.   Make sure the checkbox under "Remote Assistance" is checked. (Note: The bottom section of the picture below will not be viewable to you if you are not running Windows Professional)

4) Then click the "advanced" tab and you'll see the below.  Check the "Allow this computer to be controlled remotely" if you want that to be done.

Invoking remote assistance

For security reasons, the person being helped must request assistance from the expert...it does not work the other way around.  If you are the person being helped, here is how to do it.

1)     First make sure the expert helping you appears on your list of contacts in MSN Instant Messenger (and is online).  If they are not there"add them.

2)    Click on "start", "all programs", "remote assistance".

3)    The Remote Assistance "help" screen will appear (see below).  Click on "Invite someone to help you".



4) Three options will appear that you can choose.  I recommend choosing "Windows Messenger" as it is the simplest (but if you want to use one of the other methods, the link at the end of this document under "resources" explains how to use those methods).

Assuming you go with Windows Messenger"do the following.

5) If you are not logged into MS Messenger yet, you will see the below screen.  If so, then click "sign in" to begin"


6) Your MSN Windows Messenger contact will appear.  Select the expert you are receiving assistance from and then click "Invite this person":

                   7) Then wait for them to connect!

Troubleshooting

If you are running a firewall such as ZoneAlarm, you may run into problem connecting via Remote Assistance if it blocks port 3389.  If this is the case then make sure you unblock that port.

More Information

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gethelp/remoteassist/default.asp

Microsoft Tutorial on Remote Assistance

http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/1474021
Nicely done independent 3^rd party tutorial on Remote Assistance

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