Free solution for setting remote access between my two PCs?
July 5, 2011 1:09 PM Subscribe
Two PCs, one Windows XP, one 7, would need to transfer file from one to the other on occasion, nothing big. Know a free solution that won't expire on me?
I just changed my old PC (Windows XP) for a new one (Windows 7). I'm leaving the old one at one with my parents and bringing the new one at my apartment. I tried to copy the bulk of my important files but I know I'm eventually gonna want something I left behind or forgot.
I'd like to set a remote access solution before I leave so whatever happens I can just ask my computer-illiterate mom to just power my old PC and then get what I need myself. I probably won't need to do it really often and it is not life-critical so I'd wonder if there is either a sort of limited but indefinite free trial or an open source project or something. I've never touched remote access before so I'm a bit lost.
Thank you!
I just changed my old PC (Windows XP) for a new one (Windows 7). I'm leaving the old one at one with my parents and bringing the new one at my apartment. I tried to copy the bulk of my important files but I know I'm eventually gonna want something I left behind or forgot.
I'd like to set a remote access solution before I leave so whatever happens I can just ask my computer-illiterate mom to just power my old PC and then get what I need myself. I probably won't need to do it really often and it is not life-critical so I'd wonder if there is either a sort of limited but indefinite free trial or an open source project or something. I've never touched remote access before so I'm a bit lost.
Thank you!
Best answer: I am constantly using LogMeIn to remotely work with all my relatives' computers. You cannot transfer files with the free version, but you can always email yourself the files if it's that rare of an occurrence.
All you do is install the software that runs on its own, and you're set.
posted by TinWhistle at 1:16 PM on July 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
All you do is install the software that runs on its own, and you're set.
posted by TinWhistle at 1:16 PM on July 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
What I do so that I can access my home PC from work is to setup Ultra VNC (100% free) on the remote PC, and open the port on the firewall so that you can take control of the remote PC when you need it, this way you have the option to do anything you want on the remote PC so that you don't need intervention from your mom . Then from the old PC just FTP somewhere so you can retrieve the file or even directly over to your Win7 system...
posted by udon at 1:17 PM on July 5, 2011
posted by udon at 1:17 PM on July 5, 2011
Install dropbox on both machines, ask her to copy/move a file into it?
posted by misterbrandt at 1:25 PM on July 5, 2011
posted by misterbrandt at 1:25 PM on July 5, 2011
Best answer: TightVNC will do what you need. You could also set up a Dropbox folder on both machines. If you need to find something, login to the PC at your parents place via TightVNC and then drop whatever file you need into Dropbox. A few seconds (or minutes depending on file size), the file will automagically appear in Dropbox on your machine. Bish bash bosh, job done.
posted by Happy Dave at 1:25 PM on July 5, 2011
posted by Happy Dave at 1:25 PM on July 5, 2011
Live Mesh will automatically synchronize and transfer unlimited files between computers over the internet.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:43 PM on July 5, 2011
posted by blue_beetle at 1:43 PM on July 5, 2011
How to setup Remote Desktop on Windows XP
More information via Google
posted by axismundi at 1:57 PM on July 5, 2011
More information via Google
posted by axismundi at 1:57 PM on July 5, 2011
I think sneakernet is your best answer. You can visit your parents if you need to, right? Take along a thumb drive.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:17 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:17 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: VNC based solutions are great for a LAN, but require firewall configuration that would leave the PC at your parents place potential vulnerable as VNC logins are not encrypted AFAIK.
TeamViewer gets around this, and has file transfer capability built in, although since you'd have full control of the PC you could use dropbox or whatever. Can be installed so you can access it without needing someone at the remote end, and the full featured version is free for personal use.
posted by dirm at 2:38 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
TeamViewer gets around this, and has file transfer capability built in, although since you'd have full control of the PC you could use dropbox or whatever. Can be installed so you can access it without needing someone at the remote end, and the full featured version is free for personal use.
posted by dirm at 2:38 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I marked many best answers but for future reference by anyone having the same query as me: I ended up using TeamViewer along with Dropbox and the bundle works out perfectly for my needs!
posted by CelebrenIthil at 11:22 AM on August 22, 2011
posted by CelebrenIthil at 11:22 AM on August 22, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by CelebrenIthil at 1:10 PM on July 5, 2011