Remotely Control Somebody's Desktop the Easy Way
We've all gotten the call from some family member asking why their computer isn't working properly. After an hour of troubleshooting over the phone with them or trying to get remote assistance to work we've decided we're skipping the next family reunion to avoid being asked to help… there has to be a better way…
There is, and it's called Crossloop - a completely free screen sharing software that's extremely simple to use and very secure… since it's not enabled all the time. I'd advise installing this on their computer even before they have problems so you'll be prepared.
Yes, It's Really This Simple
Tell the person that you are trying to help to open the application and select the Host tab. They'll need to give you the access code and then click the Connect button.
Type in the access code on your copy's Join tab, and then click Connect. Note that the spaces are only for readability and not necessary.
They'll get a dialog telling them that you want to control their computer, tell them to hit Yes.
The first time they run the app, they'll need to click the Unblock button (unless you've already installed and configured it for them)
Now you are controlling their desktop, and you can tell them to get lost while you delete the 389 browser search toolbars they installed.
This application will work even if you have a firewall, and uses an encrypted connection. You can read more information about how it actually works.
Also Good to Know
You can click the little folder icon on the CrossLoop window to send files from one computer to the other.
If you are having speed issues, you can tone down the amount of colors being shown, which should dramatically speed up the connection. Right-click on the CrossLoop window title bar and then choose Connection options:
You can select the checkbox for "Restrict pixels to 8-bit (for slow networks)" which will make the picture really ugly, but you can breeze around and get things done. I'd only use this if you are having issues, but it's good to know it's there.
After you end the first session you'll get a dialog asking you to rate your session and provide feedback. If you complete it then it'll go away.
Overall this is a great application for doing remote help, much easier than driving to your family member's house and listening to their stories about mowing the lawn in the snow while walking 20 miles to school…
Thanks to our forum moderator Scott for pointing out this app to me.
Download CrossLoop from crossloop.com
Note: If you have problems with Windows Vista as a Host, a workaround is to disable UAC prompting while still leaving UAC enabled.
Wow, I have used many Remote control applications and they have not worked as easy as this.
I would love to do this from work but I am not allowed, shame.
Has anyone else tried Crossloop?
Regards.
Thanks for another tool I can add to my arsenal.
I like to use Teamviewer. It allows you to run it with or without installation and is pretty similar to the Crossloop you just mentioned.
http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx
Another option is LogMeIn, which usually works pretty well. In fact, LogMeIn is used for a lot of corporate technical support. It's not TightVNC-based though, unlike CrossLoop, so it's performance probably isn't as good.
Thank you soo much for this! You sure called it right about Remote Assistance - forget about ever getting it to work! You were right about all the browser toolbars, too. Shoot, you were even right about wanting to skip the family reunion, cause you just know you are going to get accosted. *sigh* It's not easy being a Geek. So thanks for making it easier! *leaves to download CrossLoop*
would be nice if there was an easier distribution method. but its only a matter of time i suppose, its a bit more economical than log-me-in rescue!!!!!
Yes, I use this program all the time, especially with the 'Dad's' (mine and the Father-in-law). It works flawlessly.
As the Geek mentioned, you may want to get this downloaded to your client before there are actual problems.
Neat Nebula skin too.
I like the simple UI on this for the end user. Just remember … you help one relative once … you're then helping ALL of them constantly.
"Just remember … you help one relative once … you're then helping ALL of them constantly."
Ain't that the truth! lol
Good tool, but why do developers make their programs overcomplicated? Take a look at the Connection Options dialog - the example of worst design. Why I need to know what encoding should I use? CoRRE, Zlib, Tight, Raw… - what do the acronyms mean?
Guys, keep it simple. Just a combobox with 3 (not more!!!) options enough.
I would prefer http://www.techinline.com service that is simple as 1,2,3.
GoToAssist is probably the best (paid) method to address the issue of distribution, and feature set. There is a version that is a much more user-friendly experience from the perspective of the relative, so helping those mobs of friends and relatives is much simpler. In fact, you could probably start a small tech-business if you have the audacity to charge relatives for your time.
However, on an infrequent and ad-hoc basis, I think CL is probably a good solution.
A BIIIG thanks from a small team at CrossLoop! We are small so this means a lot to us and I couldnt have imagined a better more detailed write up.
Something that might be useful in terms of getting your contacts to download it by themselves before you start helping them is our little screen cast that you can share with them:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5CycDlbOzAE
Finally, an alternative to change the color quality is by just clicking the gear box icon on the UI. From the Drop down, you can change it from low or high quality from the Auto selection done by the software based on yourm connection: http://crossloop.typepad.com/b.....p-114.html
I've tried Crossloop and it can be very slow. I have best results with ShowMyPC.com.
@Robert:
That connections options dialog is actually from TightVNC, not CrossLoop, and as Mrinal noted there's actually an easier way to change the quality using the gear icon (I really should have mentioned that).
The reason I wanted to show the connections dialog is so that you can see there's all the power of VNC behind the product… loads of options to choose from if you need to.
The reason I haven't featured some of the other products mentioned is because they aren't free. We like free software here, and open source is even better when possible…
I have used copilot.com for the past few months. I found out about it here on LH. It is a paid (time-based) product that works extremely well. The end user downloads a small program and enters the access code much like this. I'm surprised nobody mentioned it yet.
Even though GoToMyPC costs $20/mo, it is the rolls royce of remote access. Simple, reliable, and always within a few keystrokes. Plus I can transfer log files back and forth!
@The Geek
.
BTW, are you aware of the problem with Vista UAC prompts that CrossLoop has? It simply terminates the session when a UAC prompt appears. I experienced the problem with CrossLoop and think it is due to VNC roots. VNC has BIG problems with Vista due to it's architecture. Hmm… or rather Vista has BIG problems with VNC due to it's architecture
Please bear in mind that free does not not always mean good. I like CrossLoop, it looks really great, but it is not suitable for professional usage. When you need a reliable, fast and simple tool to support your customers, you have to pay.
Products like LogmeIn Rescue/GotoAssist/Techinline/etc. are for professional usage that's why they aren't free. I would recommend you to have a look at Techinline - the guys made a really good service. And their code isn't based on VNC, but is built from zero.
@Robert
I didn't personally encounter that problem, but then UAC prompts were disabled on the Vista box I was testing it on. I would assume you can just run it in administrator mode on the remote box… will have to do some testing. Sadly it's difficult to test every single scenario.
I agree that a professional product is usually going to be better… but that's the whole point, not everybody is a professional and wants to spend money on a product they might only use sometimes.
Hopefully the CrossLoop guys are still reading this thread and can answer your UAC question before I figure it out.
I wish I would have known about that a couple of months ago. I already wrote up a customized version of ShowMyPC for my computer support clients.
I find that logmein is far superior to any vnc variant - as it performs much better - especially over slower connections. Works with Vista - no issues. Only downside is that if you are using logmein "free" version then you need to have the/a valid username/password for the machine that you want to remote control. I usally talk the other person through installing logmein free in under 5 mins. I use logmein free for personal (family) and business clients. BTW I used to use VNC and variants of VNC before I found logmein, might still have a place for Apple Mac/Linux and Windows 2000 where you want to access the real console and not a new login instance.
How about just installing gOS on their computers and never having to deal with techsupporting your family again?
Plus, with it being Linux, you could use SSH and NX (MILES faster than VNC, give it a try!) if you ever had to do something for them, secure and safe to leave open all day long. Oh and throw a little port knocking, DenyHosts, and move the default port 22 to something else and you have a fairly hard system that uses keys rather than passwords. Crack a 2048 bit key in less than a year? Not even with a Cray.
That is what i was looking for
@ Robert, @ The Geek - here is what I got from our tech folks:
"User Account Control (UAC) is a feature in Windows that can help prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. UAC does this by asking you for permission or an administrator password before performing actions that could potentially affect your computer's operation or that change settings that affect other users. When you see a UAC message, read it carefully, and then make sure the name of the action or program that's about to start is one that you intended to start.
Unfortunately, this message and request for approval displays even if you are logged in as a user with Admin rights. When this message is displayed Crossloop is immediately disconnected.
A workaround for this problem is to turn off User Account Control when using Crossloop. To do this go to; Start button/Settings/Control Panel/User Accounts and Family Safety/User Accounts/Turn User Account Control on or off. You will need to restart the computer for the change to take effect."
As far as CrossLoop for professional use goes, we already have a lot of businesses (and users now in over 150 countries) using us with their customers. Here are just examples, local and international, of a few that do:
http://curasign.com/hulp.html
http://www.abetterink.com/page.....ngest.html
http://www.apttek.us/home.html
We are also always listening and learning - the product has been out only for 12 months and you can be rest assured, we are continuously improving based on feedback so please keep them coming. We actually embrace constructive feedback since that is what has made us improve and grow.
@The Geek - thanks for having the option of following this thread through emails. It really helps!
This looks nice but its just like UltraVNC's reverse VNC feature.
I have also got this to work using Wine in Linux. This way you can help friends that are using windows without having to dual boot.
is there a linux version?
Ultra VNC is the best…….. It is free and have have lot of features that you ever imagine……..
Microsoft SharedView is also a nice light-weight app for this type of work. www.sharedview.com
Great application!
I just used it to rid my Mom's computer of a ton of "spyware"
I prefer UltraVNC SC (single click). You can make a stand alone executable file that the user simply double clicks, and it will connect to your computer and give you control automatically. No installation needed on the others' machine, and best of all for me, the server part (on your computer) runs just dandy in Wine.
I love Crossloop. Its built on rock-solid VNC technology but adds that layer of usability that was so greatly needed.
I liked the software, but in the tutorial you say you can right click on the title bar and in the menu that comes up you have access to connection options. I had no such option. I did change the image quality to a lower resolution and that seemed to help a little bit. Is the one shown in the tutorial a paid version? Thanks.
I will have to try this out sometime. Thank you for the great find.
Great review, we did one on our site as well. One thing I learned later is that with poor net connection (ie diaup or lousy DSL, or sat) the refresh is lousy and disconnections common. However, the simplicity of this application made it a standard in my on-call toolkit.
@ William Stelle - You can also just click on the top left corner on the VNC Viewer (on the JOIN side) and select what you want from the drop down. The 'Full Screen' is a good one which many miss - it helps to reduce scrolling. We do not have a paid version at this time.
@ Bill Vincent - thanks for the review and Yes - we definitely recommend a good broadband connect for the optimal experience.
@Yoshi - there is no Linux version at this time. The good news is we do plan to port CrossLoop across various platforms!
For developments, I recommend that you stay close to our blog ( http://crossloop.typepad.com/ )
I like LogMeIn, because I don't need my 6 and 7 year old daughters to do anything if they are having trouble….or to prevent them from printing at the highest quality setting…
I have used NetOp On-demand for several years now. Not a bad product, but costs $3000 a seat. It was published by CrossTech Corporation, which apparently lost it's franchise to distribute the product. Just curious, but is there any connection between CrossLink and CrossTech? In any case, a product that does for free what some products do for big bucks is a plus in my book. Thanks Geek, for the excellent referral.
@ Chuck - it is CrossLoop
Let me know if you have questions.
My bad. Dang that spell checker, yeah, that's the ticket. Oh the embarrassment. You didn't answer my question though, did you?
Oops - you caught me Chuck. No, we have nothing to do with CrossLink or CrossTech
What happens if their problem is the internet connection?
Ultravnc ownz all remote, its even better than RDP, you must install the mirror driver to get the performance increase and this bit is hard work sometimes!
@ willziam - we are helpless with a bad internet connection. We recommend broadband for the optimal experience. Thanks
If the internet connection is the problem, then a remote assistance application isn't going to help, regardless of which one. You're going to have to either go to the computer, or have it brought to you.
Yes I would looooove to have this but I can't get it to download.)o: When I click on the "Download Cross Loop from crossloop.com" this is what I get…………………………….
type Status report
message /index.html
description The requested resource (/index.html) is not available.
——————————————————————————–
Apache Tomcat/6.0.14
Could someone please help me with this?
Thanks, Janice
igottheblues1@yahoo.com
http://www.crossloop.com/index.html is broken link.
Try http://www.crossloop.com/
Looks like they changed the links… I updated the article with the new links. Sorry about that!
Newbie questions:
Although generally PC savy, and called on often to solve others' problems, I am a newbie to the whole Remote Control issue.
Big question: What security is provided with these various programs/services. Once they set up to grant me access, what assurance is there that the provider of the software I use cannot subsequently access their computer?
It looks like Cross Loop requires the computer I want to control to install software. It appears to me that techinline does not. Are there any other programs which do not require the helpee to install software?
Why are the tools which come with Windows XP (Remote Assistance and/or Remote Desktop) sufficient? (I am having trouble finding details on exactly what these do, and how to run them.)