Computer Help Application Program

A few years ago I remember running across a program you could download from the net that, when downloaded by two people, would let you access the other persons computer and muck around in it to help them with problems they may have been having. The reason I am asking this is, my mother-in-law (sigh) periodically has problems with her computer and it's hard to ask her to tell us specifics let alone tell her a few things to do to fix them. She lives in Florida and we live in Michigan, which makes it a bit hard to just 'run' down and check it out. She's 80 and the memory doesn't hold well any more, but she refuses to give up the computer even though she CRS!

So, I remember a program that let you work on the other computer, but for the life of me, I don't know what it was called or even how to look it up in google. Not sure what words to use to search. I'm not even sure if something like this exists any more. I'm hoping that someone out there has a hint or two or even a direction to send me to.

Thanks In Advance.

 

PcAnywhere not cheap but cheaper than driving from Michigan to Florida. It's been around a long time (since DOS days) so should be fairly reliable. Havn't used it myself but my brother used to use it to monitor computers at his work from home.

 

Here are a few similar to pcANYWHERE...

TightVNC (I've used this one at work)
More VNC
GoToMyPC

 

" "She's 80 and the memory doesn't hold well any more" "

Im only 40+ and same problem,, Ive seen what youre talking about but cant remember where or when,
I think its included with XP or XP-Pro and since that has to work on other pc's most also be inplace there and is free ---an MS product I think.

Gee problaly saw the thred here at windows BBS to even--sorry<
Some administration kit ?
Lonny

 

lonnyjones1...I think that you are talking about Remote Desktop...

 

Maybe, well
No I was refering to a tool we can use to, howerver we connect
to another pc that lets the practicianer fix a remote pc while the user can whatch what happens and learn a little or this fetature could be turned off to,
Problaly just dont know what I doing--thinking,
Im outa here fer now

Lonny

 

Hi

Finanlly remember where I saw it

Three Flavors
XP's remote control has three major faces: Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Web Connection, and Remote Assistance. They're all variations on the Windows Terminal Server that originally shipped in Windows 2000.
------------Snip--------
The third variation, Remote Assistance, also works in a similar way, except that it's meant for two people--one local, one remote--to view the same desktop simultaneously. For example, imagine there are two users; a beginner and an expert. The beginner sends a message to the expert by E-mail or by Messenger, requesting Remote Assistance. The expert than views the beginner's computer in much the same way as with Remote Desktop, except that the expert can communicate in real-time with the beginner via a Messenger text chat box. If the expert can't guide the beginner through the problem, the expert can then take over the connection, in normal Remote Desktop fashion, and work the beginner's PC from afar.

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-02-27.htm
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

Don't suppose youve got XP pro Panda, theres a bunch of alterantives listed.

dobhar why didnt you mention remote assistance ?
Lonny
EDIT------------------
to bad I cant upgrade my memory

 

To be honest Lonny I didn't even think about it. I've never had to use it and have only ever used Remote Desktop. At work I use a combination of pcAnywhere and RDP.

I was only going with what I thought you were trying to remember. I was trying to help jog your memory.

Anyways you remembered and that's all that counts.

Laters,

 

Thank you ALL for the links and suggestions. I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner, but I think my reply mail is messing up again!!!!

I'll check out those links and see if it's the one I was thinking about.

My PC is an XP Home. Her's is an ME.

And, yes, using one of these programs will definately be cheaper than driving down to Florida!!!!

That Remote Desktop sounds interesting. Wonder if my Home version has it. Will have to check out now.

Thanks, again, all.