Remote Access to my PC
bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

Does anyone know of any free or cheap remote access apps that you can use on the Android to access your PC remotely/ I use Logmein and Logmein Pro from my laptop but they won't work on my phone. Any suggestions? Other than that I really like the phone so far but I really thought I would be able to access my PCs on the road. I just switched from the Blackberry Pearl which I liked too except for the small screen.

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yewslus
Newbie

For me, the solution was simple...

 

I have VNC Server installed on my home PC for access from my laptop abroad.  It required me to purchase one license, think it was $29.99.  But it allows me access from any computer that has the VNC client.

 

Where am I going with this?  Well, the Market has VCN lite (free!).  Works great, can't wait for more advanced VNC apps.

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traviz
Newbie

Have you ever used LogMeIn?  Does your VNC setup work just as well as that?  Trying to get an idea of the speed and the ease-of-use.

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yewslus
Newbie

I have used LogMeIn before, and it works well, just decided on VNC because it's used on a lot of my customer's networks, and I need it to access them.  Happy with VNC as well.  Not sure if LogMeIn does streaming audio in the connection, but VNC does not.

 

Speed is great, functionality is great, haven't had any issues.

 

Also found a nice FTP app that lets me connect to my filesystem at home, called AndFTP

 

I recommend VNC.

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traviz
Newbie

Not being able to use LogMeIn was a big roadblock for me in getting a Droid.  If VNC works okay that might be a good alternative.  Thanks for the info!

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

Yewslus

I went back an read your post again. You say you use it from you laptop, can you use it from your Android?

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yewslus
Newbie

Yes, I started using VNC as a way to access my home computer from my laptop, and was thrilled when I saw the VNC Lite app for Droid.

 

Sorry for the confusion!

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

OK I will try it. If it works I will just switch all of my computers over to it instead of the Logmein whe my subscription expires.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3


Guess I'm not tech savy enough to set it up. I can't get it too work.

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RichLux
Contributor - Level 1

If you're running Microsoft Windows on your PC, then you can use one of the Remote Desktop applications.  These work directly with Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and do not require a client install on your PC.  I haven't tried them myself, so I can't comment on how well they work.

 

http://xtralogic.com/rdpclient.shtml

http://www.toremote.com/

 

Richard

 

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traviz
Newbie

If anyone has used any of these I would be curious to hear your feedback.  I'm running Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit so this could be a very easy way for me to connect to my desktop if they are any good.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

Will I be able to access my screens just like Logmein? Can I just do a search for VNC Server? I currently use logmein for nine computers (some I use logmein Pro and some Logmein Free). I am often asked to look at relatives computers like my sisters, my Dad, and then we have three PCs plus my **bleep** system at our Family business that I often need to access while not in my office. I volunteer at a Animal Shelter and I am often interupted about problems with these computers and spend precious time trying to walk people thru their problems. This would be so nice if I can get it to work. I thought Logmein would work was so surprised when it didn't. I have searched for other programs but they are very expensive! If Logmein Ignition for the IPhone is unbelievable but I guess it is meant more for large companies with IT techs and such.

 

Thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

Wow. Why did it bleep **bleep**?

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

OK how about if I say cash register system instead

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yewslus
Newbie

VNC might not be the right choice for your needs.  Each user generally needs the client/server software on their computer.  It is a pretty small install, though, and they do have a free version.  I think the only thing the free version doesn't support is secure connections.

 

Maybe it will work for you.  My advice is to at least experiment.  Let me know how you do:  yewslus@gmail.com

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androidtapp
Newbie

Also try Remote RDP http://www.androidtapp.com/remote-rdp/

 

$5.95 will let you connect to multiple computers from your Android phone provided you setup RDP access.

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ICANSEEYOU7687
Enthusiast - Level 3

You also prob need to forward the ports in your router to the computer/server you are trying to access (if behind one, also some cable modems also act as routers fyi).

 

If you dont, then when you send the packets to your LAN your router will not know where to redirect them too...

 

So if your VNC client is using port 5900 (for example) you need to tell the router when data comes in on port 5900 to send it to the computer/servers IP

 

Dunno if that helps.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

I use Zoomtown and you do not get a static IP address unless you pay like a hundred dollars a month (unless they changed it in the last year or so) so will this make a difference? I think I remembered it did when I was using Windows remote desktop a few years back. I used a program that gave me a static ip address but it would change every so often and until I could get back to my work pc and look at the new static ip address, I couldn't access it.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I don't know if I know enough to work out all of the kinks.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

How do I forward the ports? or find which port it uses? Sorry to be so dumb.

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bowens2
Enthusiast - Level 3

I also have Norton 360

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