Remote Assistance


You can now receive remote assistance.  As long as you have a good Internet connection, you can use the attached utility to have me remotely connect to your computer.  With this tool I can fix any non-catastrophic problem, help you change configurations, or show you how to do things with your computer.  I can also use this connection to help you configure your broadband router as long as it is configured in a basic configuration that will allow your computer to get to the Internet to run the utility.  The types of things this can be used for:

  • Helping with broadband router configuration - to help you secure your home network.

  • Configuring software or assisting with configuration items.

  • Showing you how to do various things, such as maintenance and troubleshooting on your computer.

  • Taking a look at virus and firewall logs to let you know if you have a problem.

  • Help you install, remove, or diagnose software.

  • I can look at your error messages to see what is causing the problem (unless it's the "Blue Screen of Death").

This utility was built using the UltraVNC SC tool hosted by SourceForge.Net - a group of dedicated, volunteer computer geeks from all over the world who have created some pretty cool tools.  More information about this effort can be found here.

 

  • YOU initiate the connection to allow me to assist you.  Once the session is done the software completely unloads itself.

  • No passwords are passed between our computers - in fact, I refuse to assist with problems with online banking or other account problems requiring a password or other personal information.  For those issues you need to contact your bank or agency holding the account for technical assistance.

  • The entire session is completely encrypted using a 128 bit RC4 cipher key.

  • You can see everything I am doing - as I move the mouse and open windows you see it all.

 

  • You don't have to install anything, no need to configure your broadband router, and no need to punch holes in your personal firewall.

  • Once the session is completed, the software automatically uninstalls itself.

 

 

    1. Download the Remote Assistance tool here:  RemoteAssistance.exe  and save it to your desktop.

    2. Go to your desktop (or wherever you saved the RemoteAssistance.exe file) and double-click the file.

    3. When the window below appears, select Run - yes I am an unknown publisher, but you can trust ME ;) ;)

    4. Call me at (815) 546-1867 to set up the remote session. Double click for Remote Assistance to initiage. The reason for having both is in case one doesn't work we can try the other. Clicking the CANCEL button will close the utility. Click on the More Info button will bring you to this page on my web site.

    5. If your personal firewall gives a warning click to allow the session.
    6. When the connection completes, if you have any wallpaper selected as your desktop background, it will disappear. This is so that the amount of Internet traffic between our two computers will be smaller and more efficient. When the session is completed, and one of us disconnects, your wallpaper will return. If it doesn't it will the next time you restart your computer, but in thorough testing, the feature to bring back your wallpaper has worked every time.

    7. Just sit back and let me do the rest. As I navigate through your computer, you will be able to see all mouse movements, keystrokes, and windows opening up. We can have a simultaneous phone session so that you can ask questions. Once we are done, I will disconnect the session and this utility will completely unload itself from your computer.

    8. If you need to disconnect the session, locate the green VNC icon in the lower right corner of your screen. Right click on that icon and select Close to immediately disconnect the session.

     

    That's, all there is to it!