connecting to a remote computer?

[DiasTech]

i am a newbie around here, but looking around i can tell i found the right place to get good answers.

my question is probally one that has been answered here before, but i could not find the exact answer by searching.

i have windows xp pro on my system. i do small computer repairs for other people that i know. sometimes its a pain to go over thier house to do such a small adjustment to thier computer. most of the people i help dont understand what i am trying to tell them to do.

my question is:

is there a way i can connect to another pc and have full control of it without using any additional software?

i heard of vnc and i have been playing around with it. it looks real good, but i wanted to do this without installing ANY additional software other then what already comes with windows xp (home or pro).

also, if there was a way to do this without any additional cost. such as using gotomypc.

is this possible? and if so, is there a tutorial on how to do this? i would be lloking for something with step by step directions so i know what i am doing as i am doing it.

thanks in advanced for your help. :D

[darkhooda]

There's always remote desktop, but the target computer has to be WinXP.

[mikash]

if the computer you are trying to fix is xp then you can use remote assitance. its in help and support

[HaKkErS]

you can use NetMeeting to do remote dektop. It's already built into windows so no other software needs to be installed.

NetMeeting Instructions

[Sierra]

Use Remote Desktop... make sure port 3389 is open. If you need the client for Win2000 etc then go to MS

[DiasTech]

netmeeting sounds like it might be nice and easy. but i have a few questions on the configuration:

1. the computer i am trying to connect to still needs to have a password set for me to login, right?

2. what if that person doesnt have a password in the control panel like as in xp remote desktop, can they setup a password in netmeeting just so i can connect temparaly? (windoes xp)

3. do i have to forward a port for netmeeting? is so, what are the ports?

4. do i need to use the ip address to call? or can i use a dns service for the dynamic ips?

5. if i have windows xp, and the computer i am trying to connect to has windows 95/98/me/2k i can still connect to them and work on thier pc? or do they need xp as well?

thanks,

i tried to connect on my home pc with no luck, i didnt forward the ports yet because i didnt know what they are. i didnt have any sucess connecting. but i think it was due to the port forwarding.