using remote control with messenger

I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote control,
but how do I actually control the desktop? Is that an option.

I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's) with
Vista and he's gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe you
would!).

Has anyone had any success?
Thanks.

"Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote
> control, but how do I actually control the desktop? Is that an option.
>
> I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's) with
> Vista and he's gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe you
> would!).
>
> Has anyone had any success?
> Thanks.

I have actually been able to do this but I haven't tried it with Windows
Live Messenger. It isn't as easy to get going as Microsoft would like you to
believe. There are permissions that have to be set in various spots
especially with a firewall in place.

Once set up, the other person's computer screen is presented in a window
just like any program that you are running on your own computer. With the
window active, it is in effect your monitor and you are controlling the
other computer. If not set up properly, you may see the other computer but
may only be able to give instructions in the Messenger conversation window
which, if the other person is not very able, can be a real pain.

Good luck.

Ron,
Thanks for the response.
What you describe is exactly what's happening.

I can definitely see the other pc, but can't "do" anything - can't take
control. I don't suppose you know where those permissions are, do you?
There are "settings" in the remote access screen that pops up - on both
systems - but granting/allowing control isn't an option anywhere that I can
see.
Diana


"Ron P" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> "Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote
>> control, but how do I actually control the desktop? Is that an option.
>>
>> I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's) with
>> Vista and he's gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe you
>> would!).
>>
>> Has anyone had any success?
>> Thanks.
>
> I have actually been able to do this but I haven't tried it with Windows
> Live Messenger. It isn't as easy to get going as Microsoft would like you
> to believe. There are permissions that have to be set in various spots
> especially with a firewall in place.
>
> Once set up, the other person's computer screen is presented in a window
> just like any program that you are running on your own computer. With the
> window active, it is in effect your monitor and you are controlling the
> other computer. If not set up properly, you may see the other computer
> but may only be able to give instructions in the Messenger conversation
> window which, if the other person is not very able, can be a real pain.
>
> Good luck.

Taking a look at my own set-up, the only place that I can find control over
"Remote Access" is under Windows Firewall/Exceptions tab.

If you scroll down the list there are two entries for Remote Assistance, the
first (on my computer) is Remote Assistance, and the second is Remote
Assistance - Windows Messenger and Voice.

I also believe that you have to have Windows Messenger installed (the
Messenger that comes with the Windows operating system) in order for any of
this to work.

Anyone who knows more about this, please feel free to kick in your 2 cents
worth.

Ron P.

"Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Ron,
> Thanks for the response.
> What you describe is exactly what's happening.
>
> I can definitely see the other pc, but can't "do" anything - can't take
> control. I don't suppose you know where those permissions are, do you?
> There are "settings" in the remote access screen that pops up - on both
> systems - but granting/allowing control isn't an option anywhere that I
> can see.
> Diana
>
>
> "Ron P" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> "Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote
>>> control, but how do I actually control the desktop? Is that an option.
>>>
>>> I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's) with
>>> Vista and he's gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe you
>>> would!).
>>>
>>> Has anyone had any success?
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> I have actually been able to do this but I haven't tried it with Windows
>> Live Messenger. It isn't as easy to get going as Microsoft would like you
>> to believe. There are permissions that have to be set in various spots
>> especially with a firewall in place.
>>
>> Once set up, the other person's computer screen is presented in a window
>> just like any program that you are running on your own computer. With the
>> window active, it is in effect your monitor and you are controlling the
>> other computer. If not set up properly, you may see the other computer
>> but may only be able to give instructions in the Messenger conversation
>> window which, if the other person is not very able, can be a real pain.
>>
>> Good luck.
>
>

Thanks for those tips (instructions) Ron. I was able to make the changes on
my pc. I'm not sure those options will be available with the pc I'll be
trying to access --- has Vista Home Premium we'll see. I no longer have it
in my home to check and the older gentleman that owns it will certainly be a
challenge to instruct on trying to see those settings. I know what you mean
when you refer to the original messenger that came with WinXP... but I'm
hoping Windows Live was a replacement rather than just an enhancement.
Hopefully ... like you asked ... someone else have 2 more cents worth.
Diana

"Ron P" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Taking a look at my own set-up, the only place that I can find control
> over "Remote Access" is under Windows Firewall/Exceptions tab.
>
> If you scroll down the list there are two entries for Remote Assistance,
> the first (on my computer) is Remote Assistance, and the second is Remote
> Assistance - Windows Messenger and Voice.
>
> I also believe that you have to have Windows Messenger installed (the
> Messenger that comes with the Windows operating system) in order for any
> of this to work.
>
> Anyone who knows more about this, please feel free to kick in your 2 cents
> worth.
>
> Ron P.
>
> "Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>> Ron,
>> Thanks for the response.
>> What you describe is exactly what's happening.
>>
>> I can definitely see the other pc, but can't "do" anything - can't take
>> control. I don't suppose you know where those permissions are, do you?
>> There are "settings" in the remote access screen that pops up - on both
>> systems - but granting/allowing control isn't an option anywhere that I
>> can see.
>> Diana
>>
>>
>> "Ron P" <> wrote in message
>> news:%...
>>> "Cowtoon" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote
>>>> control, but how do I actually control the desktop? Is that an option.
>>>>
>>>> I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's)
>>>> with Vista and he's gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe
>>>> you would!).
>>>>
>>>> Has anyone had any success?
>>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> I have actually been able to do this but I haven't tried it with Windows
>>> Live Messenger. It isn't as easy to get going as Microsoft would like
>>> you to believe. There are permissions that have to be set in various
>>> spots especially with a firewall in place.
>>>
>>> Once set up, the other person's computer screen is presented in a window
>>> just like any program that you are running on your own computer. With
>>> the window active, it is in effect your monitor and you are controlling
>>> the other computer. If not set up properly, you may see the other
>>> computer but may only be able to give instructions in the Messenger
>>> conversation window which, if the other person is not very able, can be
>>> a real pain.
>>>
>>> Good luck.
>>
>>
>

Greetings,

Are you referring to Remote Assistance? If so, the person just needs to click the 'Take
Control' button within the Remote Assistance window.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2007 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"Cowtoon" <> wrote in message news:...
> I've figured out how to "see" another persons screen, using remote control, but how do I
> actually control the desktop? Is that an option.
>
> I have a friend who's purchased a pc for their father (in his 70's) with Vista and he's
> gonna need help like you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would!).
>
> Has anyone had any success?
> Thanks.
>