VNC Mac + Windows Machines - A Question Please!

[neenja]

Hi All,

Straight to the point here is what I would like to be able to do (if possible):

- I have a MBP that I bring to work with me on a regular basis.
- I have a Sony Vaio + A Desktop both running Windows XP at my home office.

Question: Is it possible to control my Windows machines at home with my MBP while at work (two different places) via VNC?

A step by step explanation or any kind of help with what kind of software to get/use would be very nice!

Thanks everyone

 

[eezing]

First, answer these questions:

1. What version of XP do the machines have?

2. Do you have windows running on your Mac? If so, what version is that?

3. What tasks would you like to accomplish by remotely accessing your home office machines?

 

[neenja]

First, answer these questions:

1. What version of XP do the machines have?

2. Do you have windows running on your Mac? If so, what version is that?

3. What tasks would you like to accomplish by remotely accessing your home office machines?

1- XP SP2
2- Yes, using Parallels, XP SP2
3- Simple ones really, executing programs such as my winTV to record shows etc.. executing downloads, that is about it. Nothing big like running heavy editing programs and such.

 

[eezing]

1- XP SP2
2- Yes, using Parallels, XP SP2
3- Simple ones really, executing programs such as my winTV to record shows etc.. executing downloads, that is about it. Nothing big like running heavy editing programs and such.

Is that XP Pro or Home?

 

[neenja]

Is that XP Pro or Home?

xp pro

 

[swiftaw]

Why use VNC? Why not download Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection for Mac - it's free. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx

 

[eezing]

Why use VNC? Why not download Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection for Mac - it's free. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx

Right, given that you have XP Pro, just use Windows Remote Desktop. In order to host a remote desktop session, you need Windows XP Pro.

Check this out:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/enableremote.mspx

 

[hennaheto]

windows remote desktop while similar to VNC is very different depending on the outcome you want.
remote desktop "locks" the remote screen
it logs the current user off
it starts up a new session and depending on the programs installed can start up new instances of services (very bad on servers)
i use ultra vnc via my parallels on my mac for all of my vnc-ing
if you use vnc or RDP you will need to know your machines IP which can change depending on your type of internet connection. Another alternative would be logmein.com