Same Computer-Can admin users view other users 'screens' (desktops)??

[DoFoT9]

Hey all,

Brace yourself, this is an odd question..

I have been trying to view my secondary account from my admin account ON THE SAME COMPUTER. I am not sure if this can even be done.

I know Remote Desktop can sometimes do it when an error occurs - I am able to view and interact with my user account even though my parents are using the computer with their user account (wierd right??)

Not sure if there are any programs for this or not, just wish there was an easy way to do this, anybody know of a way to do it?

Thanks
DoFoT9

 

[BlueRevolution]

I don't think it's doable, although you can just use fast user switching. If you want command-line access, you can just su to run commands as the desired user.

 

[DoFoT9]

I don't think it's doable, although you can just use fast user switching. If you want command-line access, you can just su to run commands as the desired user.

hmmm damn. i dont want credentials, im admin so i can do anything. the thing is i want to be able to check the desktop for things like emails/IM from adium instead of having to switch users every couple of minutes!! (i have very long passwords haha)

 

[dmmcintyre3]

I just figured this out today. download vine server and run it as the second account on port 5901. download a vnc client (screen sharing will not work) and connect to 127.0.0.1:5901 with the vnc viewer and you can see the other account.

 

[DoFoT9]

I just figured this out today. download vine server and run it as the second account on port 5901. download a vnc client (screen sharing will not work) and connect to 127.0.0.1:5901 with the vnc viewer and you can see the other account.

already have everything you said will try it now.

i already have my user account being shared as a VNC through system prefs-> sharing. ill turn that off first. will be back to report soon!!!

thanks!

 

[DoFoT9]

OH MY LORD IT ACTUALLY WORKS!!!!!!!

that is incredible!!!!! thanks so much!!!

 

[dmmcintyre3]

OH MY LORD IT ACTUALLY WORKS!!!!!!!

that is incredible!!!!! thanks so much!!!

If you type your IP address not the loopback address (what I put) you can access the other user from another machine while someone is using the main screen

I was looking for a way to use the computer remotely with out interrupting the main user and I found how to do that on MacRumors then I just added the loopback address and the non screen sharing for the viewer part to see the other user's screen

Can someone who can write clearer instructions make this a guide? it and things like it have been asked many times.

i already have my user account being shared as a VNC through system prefs-> sharing. ill turn that off first. will be back to report soon!!!

if you changed the port like I said it would not matter if the system vnc server is on.

 

[DoFoT9]

If you type your IP address not the loopback address (what I put) you can access the other user from another machine while someone is using the main screen

thanks but i dont really need to do that.. i have Remote Desktop to remote into other computers around the house..

I was looking for a way to use the computer remotely with out interrupting the main user and I found how to do that on MacRumors then I just added the loopback address and the non screen sharing for the viewer part to see the other user's screen

Remote Desktop???

Can someone who can write clearer instructions make this a guide? it and things like it have been asked many times.

your instructions seemed pretty clear.

if you changed the port like I said it would not matter if the system vnc server is on.

i used the port number and it worked a treat, was just taking precautions. thanks again.

 

[BlueRevolution]

Fantastic trick! I'll have to remember that one.

This is one of those cases where it's so nice to be proven wrong.

 

[DoFoT9]

Fantastic trick! I'll have to remember that one.

This is one of those cases where it's so nice to be proven wrong.

haha yea id hate to say it too! i couldnt think of any way to do it until i was proven wrong. its a great trick - it would be good if Apple incorporated it as part of their "Parental Controls" - that way nobody is safe

EDIT: performance of the machine seems to greatly drop for some reason. the VNC window isnt as responsive as it normally is over a network, maybe because the computer has to do both sending and interpreting of images? ill check it out a bit later and see how if i can figure out why.