"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
08/25/2015 at 18:59 • Filed to: tech support
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"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
08/25/2015 at 18:59 • Filed to: tech support | 0
| 20 |
So my father in law, like most older folks, is not too great with his computer. He gets confused easily. He used to get free online tech support from the VA, but it ran out. Now he is nervous that he won’t have someone to help him when he gets lost.
Some rip-off artist wants to charge him $700 for tech support, essentially using that GoTo Assist feature to navigate his computer and fix whatever minor things he needs. My wife and I would prefer to do it ourselves for him. He never does anything major, just will save things in weird spots, close windows unexpectedly, or forget where is “favorites” are.
Are there any free or cheap programs that will allow us to do remote tech support for him? My wife has a Windows 8 computer and I have a Chromebook (mine might not be a good option) but the Windows one is fine.
Alpine for your time...thanks!
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:07 |
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top 3 I remember are LogMeIn, Teamviewer, and Splashtop.
Teamviewer is free for private use.
https://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
jariten1781
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:08 |
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VNC was the go to free remote application. Haven’t used it in a while, but it was simple enough for my grandma a number of years ago when she was still around.
lone_liberal
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:09 |
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I’d go with TeamViewer. It’s very easy to use.
benh7
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:13 |
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As far as free options go, join.me would work but would need him to still be at the machine to start the meeting and click on admin prompts if necessary. Chrome remote desktop may be better as you could set it up and login remotely as long as the computer is on.
TheOnelectronic
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:18 |
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I used LogMeIn for a while for remote access needs. It’s free and works well.
48 Spoons
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:26 |
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Chrome remote desktop: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detai…
Works great and even works from the chromebook.
Spaze
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:33 |
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is everyone forgetting Windows home grown Remote Desktop Connection? While its not as light weight as VNC, it is as easy to configure. You’d need to open a port in the firewall on your Father-in-laws side, and test the connection.. but I used to do it a lot.
Past that VNC is great, and free. The rest of the web based services are “meh” at best since latency can fluctuate over the net which will effect your use.
7:07
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:56 |
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Teamviewer.
Logmein isn’t free anymore. Windows RDP is another free option, but your FIL won’t be able to see what you’re doing onscreen as Windows “locks” the remote screen for privacy reasons.
Chrome remote desktop is what I use within my own LAN. Works well enough but I think Teamviewer would be an overall better choice for remote support.
beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 19:58 |
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+1 for Teamviewer here too, I’ve used it commercially and privately.
BaconSandwich is tasty.
> 7:07
08/25/2015 at 20:09 |
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I’ll second/third the recommendation for TeamViewer.
chaozbandit
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 20:26 |
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I’d think TeamViewer would still be the easiest way to set it up. Alternatively, you could have a go playing with Windows Virtual Desktop / Remote Connection / whatever it’s called now. Both require the target PC to be on, but can remotely reboot if necessary.
JGrabowMSt
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 20:45 |
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TeamViewer. Great program, I use it for work, even allows for remote file transfer.
If you use it too often then you could get a warning, but thats really just for commercial use. It will work great for you.
Ward Bowles
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 20:50 |
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We use VNC at our office. It is good, but getting the initial server and viewer installed is slightly problematic. My current favorite is TeamViewer. I believe they are on TeamViewer10. It’s pretty straight forward, and fairly secure. Just select the “personal” option, and it’s free. A quick google can explain it, or feel free to shoot me a message.
-Ward, PM & IT Support Specialist, Burnout Enthusiast
R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 20:57 |
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Skype is both free and easy to use.
El Darto
> Tom McParland
08/25/2015 at 21:14 |
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If he is in PHX, I can help him out. If not, I usually use TeamViewer for remote stuff.
105 HP of fury
> 7:07
08/25/2015 at 21:58 |
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^ This. ^ I use it with my inlaws computer. It’s magical (and lets me take control when necessary!)
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7:07
> 105 HP of fury
08/25/2015 at 23:02 |
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And when doing remote support, we neeed magical.
EyeFuzz
> Tom McParland
08/26/2015 at 15:21 |
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I would install Logmein Pro, and let him pay the subscription. Install Teamviewer as a secondary just in case.
I have been using this combo for remote support clients successfully one the past 4 years. Never fails.
KJabs got a Chevy SS!!! - no longer needs a Pontiac G8
> Tom McParland
09/20/2015 at 18:38 |
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TeamViewer is free for personal use in just that manner.
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KJabs got a Chevy SS!!! - no longer needs a Pontiac G8
> 7:07
09/20/2015 at 18:40 |
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TeamViewer is the way to go for this situation, for sure