Cannot find Remote Assistance files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Blue Max
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Blue Max

When setting up a Windows XP machine to receive Remote assistance offers
over the local network (using a computer name or IP address), Microsoft help
instructs the user to modify the firewall on the remote machine in order to
allow execution of the programs msra.exe and raserver.exe. However, we have
searched our Windows XP machine and cannot find these files anywhere. We
have our folder options set to show hidden and system files and have also
enabled the search options for hidden and system files, but still cannot
find the required files. Obviously, we cannot create a firewall exception
if we cannot locate the programs.

Ironically, we can use remote assistance over the internet by sending a help
request using these same computers. This suggests that the XP computer is
actually running these programs as needed. So if the programs run properly
with an internet request, why can't we find the programs so that we can
create a firewall exception for running Remote Assistance over our own local
workgroup network?

Can anyone help with this issue?
 
Well the Remote Assistance [RA] "offer" functionality does not work in a
workgroup environment XP to XP only in a domain environment. Here is a
work around for what your trying to do that will work.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteAssistance/RemoteAssistance.html

Alternatively you can use a third-party program like TeamViewer for
example.

Beyond that you can open the Windows Firewall and check the "Remote
Assistance" checkbox in the Exceptions tab to allow RA traffic. RA uses
TCP Port 3389 by the way.

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
 
Hello Sooner,

Thank you for the reply. Actually, we are trying to provide Remote
Assistance from a Windows Vista computer to Windows XP computer (vs XP to
XP). Furthermore, the Remote Assistance FAQ's seemed to suggest that we
should be able to make the connection we needed. The FAQ stated the
following:

Can I connect to a computer running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 from a
computer running a later version of Windows? Yes, you can, but there are a
few compatibility issues to be aware of:

1. In Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, you can't pause a Windows Remote
Assistance session. So if the person being helped is using a later version
of Windows and decides to pause a session while connected to a remote
computer running Windows XP, the helper using Windows XP will not be
notified that the session is paused.

2. In Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, Remote Assistance supported voice
capability. Voice capability is not supported in later versions of Windows.
So if a person using Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 clicks the Start Talk
button, nothing will happen.

[END QUOTE]

Either way, Microsoft never seems to clearly state the facts. Often these
features are advertised as great benefits amidst the illusion that asking
for, or offering, help is as easy as picking up the telephone. Moreover,
the benefits are marketed to home, small office, or business users alike.
Unfortunately, these wonderful features seldom pan out.

Finally, why in the world would Microsoft eliminate the 'Voice' capabilities
available in XP with Remote Assistance. Often the voice link is crtitical
to a quick, clear problem resolution?

Thanks,

Richard

******************
Sooner Al said:
Well the Remote Assistance [RA] "offer" functionality does not work in a
workgroup environment XP to XP only in a domain environment. Here is a
work around for what your trying to do that will work.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteAssistance/RemoteAssistance.html

Alternatively you can use a third-party program like TeamViewer for
example.

Beyond that you can open the Windows Firewall and check the "Remote
Assistance" checkbox in the Exceptions tab to allow RA traffic. RA uses
TCP Port 3389 by the way.

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Blue Max said:
When setting up a Windows XP machine to receive Remote assistance offers
over the local network (using a computer name or IP address), Microsoft
help instructs the user to modify the firewall on the remote machine in
order to allow execution of the programs msra.exe and raserver.exe.
However, we have searched our Windows XP machine and cannot find these
files anywhere. We have our folder options set to show hidden and system
files and have also enabled the search options for hidden and system
files, but still cannot find the required files. Obviously, we cannot
create a firewall exception if we cannot locate the programs.

Ironically, we can use remote assistance over the internet by sending a
help request using these same computers. This suggests that the XP
computer is actually running these programs as needed. So if the
programs run properly with an internet request, why can't we find the
programs so that we can create a firewall exception for running Remote
Assistance over our own local workgroup network?

Can anyone help with this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hello Sooner,

Sorry for being persistent, but we somehow overlooked one of the original
questions. Any idea why we cannot find the msra.exe and raserver.exe files
on our system, despite the fact we can make internet Remote Assistance links
with this machine? (In establishing a session, we assume that these files
execute in order to run Remote Assistance on the XP machine.)

*****************
Sooner Al said:
Well the Remote Assistance [RA] "offer" functionality does not work in a
workgroup environment XP to XP only in a domain environment. Here is a
work around for what your trying to do that will work.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/RemoteAssistance/RemoteAssistance.html

Alternatively you can use a third-party program like TeamViewer for
example.

Beyond that you can open the Windows Firewall and check the "Remote
Assistance" checkbox in the Exceptions tab to allow RA traffic. RA uses
TCP Port 3389 by the way.

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Blue Max said:
When setting up a Windows XP machine to receive Remote assistance offers
over the local network (using a computer name or IP address), Microsoft
help instructs the user to modify the firewall on the remote machine in
order to allow execution of the programs msra.exe and raserver.exe.
However, we have searched our Windows XP machine and cannot find these
files anywhere. We have our folder options set to show hidden and system
files and have also enabled the search options for hidden and system
files, but still cannot find the required files. Obviously, we cannot
create a firewall exception if we cannot locate the programs.

Ironically, we can use remote assistance over the internet by sending a
help request using these same computers. This suggests that the XP
computer is actually running these programs as needed. So if the
programs run properly with an internet request, why can't we find the
programs so that we can create a firewall exception for running Remote
Assistance over our own local workgroup network?

Can anyone help with this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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