Remote Assistance between MY linux machine and cousin's VISTA ... Possible?

Hevithan · 05-18-2011, 10:17 AM

My cousin needs some help with his computer (I know a bit more about MS then Linux at this point). He has VISTA HOME EDITION, Which as far as the internet tells me ... cannot do RA without a third party software. But he says he found it and sent the invite to my email.
I have already download rdesk (I think that's what I want) so I can initiate a RA from terminal with IP or server URL, But everytime I try to access his through IP it says:

Code:

me@linux:$ rdesk ip.cous.comp.here
!!--'DISPLAY FAILED TO LAUNCH'
me@linux:$

I was going to also look at getting tightVNC, but am not 100% sure it does what I want...
Other then this I have no idea what to do. I have never done remote with a Linux and a MS system ... Open to any and all ideas. Thanks.

(By the way, I am running Dreamlinux which is Debian based. It is the latest -far as I know- which is 3.5 built on Lenny stable. My desktop session is Xfce, but I can enable KDE or GNOME for applications that may need it. My cousin and I are 100 miles apart at the moment so this seems to be our only option. Thanks again.)

serafean · 05-18-2011, 10:53 AM

Hi,

The first thing I'd do is to find out what software he installed for RA. Then you'll be sure you're using the right protocol. Then check that the software is running.
Next up is firewall configuration (is he behind a router/NAT? Did he allow Vista incoming connections on the required port?)

As a solution for the firewall issues, I think tightvnc allows the desktop to be shared to initiate the connection, check if your program supports it too.

Serafean

phunkymunky · 05-18-2011, 11:17 AM

Try TeamViewer, simple to install (or runs without installing) and works via http (port 80) so no need to open ports on firewalls or anything. I use it from college (windows XP) via the portable apps version to access my home PC (Slackware) with pretty tight restrictions at college end (ports shutdown , no VNC etc).

Works great for me.

sysfce2 · 05-19-2011, 09:20 PM

You could try port scanning his computer to see if he actually has a remote desktop service open:
nmap -PN -p- ip.cous.comp.here
The listed ports will have a service name: look for ms-term-serv or vnc

Hevithan · 05-20-2011, 12:18 AM

These all sound like great ideas. My cousin has been busy with work and school whenever I am free but I will try ... Thanks for the help, and whenever he gets around to being home I will post which option helped, and mark this solved.