Remote Control of Mac from PC

[toronado455]

I want to be able to have remote control of my Dad's MacBook Pro running 10.6.8 from my PC running Windows XP SP3.

I'd like a solution that will work no matter what network my Dad is on while he is away from home. Is there a way to use the built-in Remote Management feature in OS X (VNC Viewers control screen with password) to do this, or does that require port forwarding be configured on a specific router (and only works with that specific router)?

What about LogMeIn Free?

 

[toronado455]

Nobody using LogMeIn Free on the Mac?

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

I've used logmein free for the mac. Worked like a charm.

 

[mrgraff]

I use TeamViewer. Also a charm.

 

[dezza.1985]

logmein is great for this, I use it all the time when I'm at work to view my mac back home.

 

[toronado455]

OK, thanks everyone.

I just tried LogMeIn free for the first time and it works great connecting to my Dad's MBP from my PC. It is slow, but my Dad is on a slow DSL connection. I reduced the colors and that helped some.

Only thing is I wish there was some built-in text chat functionality. Is there a good program to use along side it for chat?

 

[tmagman]

OK, thanks everyone.
.

Only thing is I wish there was some built-in text chat functionality. Is there a good program to use along side it for chat?

I would just use skype's instant messaging component. That way you could also voice chat if you wanted to.

 

[4JNA]

...Only thing is I wish there was some built-in text chat functionality. Is there a good program to use along side it for chat?

don't add extra apps, as it only slows things down.

open up a text window on his desktop, and then take turns typing. solved.

 

[toronado455]

open up a text window on his desktop, and then take turns typing. solved.

Yeah, we did that. Except we would often interfere with each other's typing. Which is why I wanted to use a proper chat app. There is nothing light-weight enough to work?