Connecting from Work to Home

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg
  • Start date Start date
G

Greg

I'm running XP Pro at home (via cable modem) and at work
(via dial-up). I'm trying to access my home computer from
work but seem to be missing some critical info. I just
don't get how to connect the two computers. I've followed
all of the instructions in the "help and support" menu /
pages but I just don't get it. Could someone point me to
a good source that might shed some more light on this for
me? For instance, what info do I need? (IP address? Name
of my home computer? What else???) I leave my home
computer on but does someone need to be here to accept an
invitation??? I just don't get it. Any explanation that
might help me understand this would be GREATLY
appreciated.

Greg
 
Hi Greg,

On your home computer you need to:
1) Have Remote Desktop enabled (from the System applet in the Control
Panel).
2) You also need to check the box for Remote Desktop if the Internet
Connection Firewall is enabled.
3) You then need to know the IP address of your home computer.

From work, open Remote Desktop Connection and type the IP of your home
computer. The logon screen should appear and you should be able to log in
to your home computer as if you were at the console.

Enabling Remote Desktop in Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/pree_rem_huxe.asp

How to Enable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/securing/enableicf.asp

To find your computer's IP address, choose Command Prompt from the
Accessories submenu of the Start menu, and, at the Command Prompt, type
ipconfig /all and press ENTER. Note the IP address.
--
=============================================
Matt Coy, MCSE
Microsoft Aficionado
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
=============================================
 
Greg
'Accessing the computer' is not specific enough,
What kind of access are you looking for ?

If all you want to do is get to access files on the home computer -
then you can setup something like an ftp server on your home computer.
And once you have the ip address of your computer, you can move files
back and forth using the ftp software. There is plenty of freeware and
shareware available to do this. If you are using XP-Pro, all you have
to do is setup IIS correctly to do ftp'ing. This will be the best
solution esp. if you have a dialup connection at one end.

If you are looking for something like remote desktop - which in
essence gets the screen of your home computer to your work computer.
(It would be just like you are sitting in front of your home computer
- you would be able to see your desktop as it is. You will also have
access to harddrives on both computers so that you can transfer stuff
between them.
For this kind of access a dialup connection would not be recommended.

Make up your mind and post again... then you would be able to get more
info..
 
There are several ways to do what you are wanting to do. I am assuming what
you read said something about Remote Desktop? Tell me what you have read and
done so far.

Robert
 
Hello Matt & Joshua,

Thank you for your replies. My desire is to use the Remote Desktop rather than FTP-ing as I can more quickly access and transfer files. I'm not always certain which ones I will need - that's why I'd rather go the Remote Desktop route, though I am aware that a dial-up connection may result in some hesitation or jittery control.

Here's where I am in the ("knowledge & trial") process. I know the "computer names" for both computers. Both are enabled for Remote Desktop use. The home computer is behind my ISP's firewall - the work one isn't as it's a dialup (I'm assumung there's no firewall) I can retrieve my IP address from my home ISP provider and I have followed all of the instructions regarding the connection from work to home (I leave the computer on and only turn off the monitor) and I logged on as either the "owner" or "administrator" on both computers allowing for full privileges. On my home computer I've UNchecked the box for protecting / limiting access to the computer from the internet under "Local Area Connection Properties" (under network connections).

However, when I've tried to connect, I just can't seem to do it for some reason. I just feel as though I'm missing a step or two in the process - just can't seem to figure out how or where.

Greg
 
If your home PC is behind a firewall you need to forward/open TCP Port 3389 in order to access the
PC from the public internet.

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

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...

Greg said:
Hello Matt & Joshua,

Thank you for your replies. My desire is to use the Remote Desktop rather than FTP-ing as I can
Click to expand...
more quickly access and transfer files. I'm not always certain which ones I will need - that's why
I'd rather go the Remote Desktop route, though I am aware that a dial-up connection may result in
some hesitation or jittery control.
Here's where I am in the ("knowledge & trial") process. I know the "computer names" for both
Click to expand...
computers. Both are enabled for Remote Desktop use. The home computer is behind my ISP's firewall -
the work one isn't as it's a dialup (I'm assumung there's no firewall) I can retrieve my IP address
from my home ISP provider and I have followed all of the instructions regarding the connection from
work to home (I leave the computer on and only turn off the monitor) and I logged on as either the
"owner" or "administrator" on both computers allowing for full privileges. On my home computer I've
UNchecked the box for protecting / limiting access to the computer from the internet under "Local
Area Connection Properties" (under network connections).
However, when I've tried to connect, I just can't seem to do it for some reason. I just feel as
Click to expand...
though I'm missing a step or two in the process - just can't seem to figure out how or where.
 
By ISP firewall - do you mean it is one that they gave you to
installed or is it one that they manage? If they manage it, you may
not have much success with Remote Desktop (or FTP for that matter).
If it is a hardware firewall you have access to, you need to search
the documentation for information on how to do Port Forwarding. Each
router is different, so there is not one method that fits every
situation. Once you are able to successfully forward TCP Port 3389 to
the appropriate computer, you will then be able to connect to your
computer from work by using your home computer's IP address (visit
http://www.whatismyip.com from your home machine to get the address).

Jeffrey Randow (Windows Net. & Smart Display MVP)
(e-mail address removed)

Please post all responses to the newsgroups for the benefit
of all USENET users. Messages sent via email may or may not
be answered depending on time availability....

Remote Networking Technology Support Site -
http://www.remotenetworktechnology.com
Smart Display Support - http://www.smartdisplays.net
Windows XP Expert Zone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
 
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