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Zero Configuration Remote Access for Dummies

Posted By Raymond In Category: Computer

Apr
8
2007

3 days ago I wrote a tutorial on how to remote access with reverse connection. You have to do a little configuration on your side such as port forwarding and creating the server. As for your customer’s side, they only require 2 steps which is to run the file that you created and then add a new client which is your IP address. I think it’s more secure this way because your customer is the one that decides to let who control their computer.

Today I am going to show you how you can actually skip the part where your customer needs to enter your IP address. So they only require to run the server which you created. It’s the easiest way already and there is no other shorter way than this one.


Remote Access through firewall and router
PCHelpWare is a free alternative to the various paying remote assistance services that can be found on the net. PCHelpWare is a powerful remote support software that allows you to control (right from your own PC) a distant PC connected to the internet. It is the ideal solution to provide quick remote assistance and help your customers, colleagues, friends and family members, even if they are on the other side of the world. Best part about PCHelpWare is, it’s customizable: you can create your own server package with your logo and -company- name. The individual you want to remotely assist only has to download and execute your customized package. No router/modem/firewall configuration is needed to access a remote PC even when it’s standing on a protected network behind a NAT If your PC is also behind Firewall/NAT routers, PCHelpware has the solution that makes everything simple anyway.

Using the provided Repeater service, no router configuration is needed at all.

Key features of PCHelpWare:
* Security: Build-in communication encryption (TWF 256) and DH key exchange (using a 512 prime)
* File transfer (using clipboard style Copy/Paste : ctr-alt-c, ctrl-alt-v)
* Text Chat
* Clipboard transfer (Text, RTF, HTML, pictures)
* Scalable and easy to use Viewer. Various color modes to fit bandwidth at best
* International keyboard support
* Additional password if wanted

Since PCHelpWare is very powerful tool and highly customizable, I will only show how to create the server package so that your friend, family or customer doesn’t need to mess around with anything other than running the server.
1. Download PCHelpWare
2. Extract and you’ll see 6 folders, 2 DLLs, 1 execuable and 1 readme text file.
PCHelpWare files
3. Run PcHelpWare_viewer.exe and configure it by referring the the image below.
Remote Control through Firewall
Notes: Alias is the name that you want to connect to. Password should be 7 characters of LESS. ID must be something unique. AVOID using numbers such as 1234 or 9999. This is because you’re using uvnc’s repeater and chances are, there are people listening to the same ID as you configured. The UPnP doesn’t work for me as PCHelpWare did not automatically add/register the port to Internet Gateway Device. So I had to manually map the port on my router.

4. Click Save. After saving, a PHW-file will show up in the list box called Repeater.phw.
5) Click Create Server.
5a) Select “No” to Does the user need to enter the ID?.
5b) Select “No” to Does the user need to enter the password?.
This will create a PcHelpWare_server.exe in the PcHelpWare\myservers\Repeater directory. This is the file you need to get to those you wish to support.

You can either send the PcHelpWare_server.exe to your customer by email or host it on a file sharing website.
To start connecting:
1) Open PcHelpWare_viewer, select Repeater.phw and click Start.
b) Your customer only needs to download the PcHelpWare_server, run it and then simply need to click Connect.
Connecting PCHelpWare

This page keeps an a list of alive uvnc hosted Repeater servers: http://repeaters.ultravnc.info/
I hope this will solve all your remote access problems and also hope that I’ve explained it well enough for you to understand. I was having problems understanding PCHelpWare at first. So if you’re stuck, just leave a comment and I’ll try to explain it in a simpler term to you.

[ Download PCHelpWare ]


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    • Swapnil

      Is it neccessary for the computers to be on LAN?

    • lk

      I have used http://skyfexfree.com

      this works with internet explorer as activex component

    • Roger Waters

      Your’e welcome, Raymond ;-)

    • siva

      Hi
      Iam connecting my internet through external ( networkly connected )motorola cable modem provided by telewest broadband UK
      how can i get or map my port (UPnP)
      Can i get help about this

      thanks in advance
      Siva

    • http://www.mason23.com/jack Jack

      Thanks for posting this tutorial. I tried following this step by step, but got this error in the debug window:
      Socket error write, error code 10054
      –An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.

      I am using a 2wire firewall from my DSL provider and allowed the VNC protocol to the pchelpware_viewer. The 2wire doesn’t have many advanced features, it listed the VNC ports as 5900, 5800 and 5500, so I changed the listen port viewer to 5900 (instead of 5901 as listed in your post), but it still doesn’t work. I don’t need to make any firewall updates for the client machine to connect do I? I tried shutting down zone alarm, but just couldn’t get it to work. I just kept getting the same error listed above.

      Any ideas? I tried searching through Google, but couldn’t find an answer…

      Jack

    • Roger Waters

      In reply to Jack:

      Are you testing from within your own LAN? If so, you will get that error message. Test it across your WAN for success.

      When using within your LAN, use your static IP assigned by your Router.

      Roger

    • http://www.mason23.com/jack Jack

      bummer, I tried it with my brother over the WAN and I got the same error. The direct connection works, but the repeater doesn’t for some reason. If I could get the repeater to work, I could use the same no matter what network I am on. For a direct connect, I would need a different one for home and for the office and when my DSL IP address changes, I would need to recompile another EXE. Any other ideas? I copied your instructions step by step and opened the ports on the firewall… Not sure what else to try.

      Jack

    • http://healthtreatments.blogspot.com Eliena Andrews

      I wouldn’t trust 3rdparty softwares for remote connections. i guess i have read somewhere on internet that this app is vulnerable to remote attacks.. But your post is nice.

      Best Regards,
      Eliena Andrews

    • VJ

      doesn’t work for me either!

      Direct connection works fine, but when I try to use repeater I get the same error 10054 and am unable to connect!

      I can’t find any answers online.

    • Riccardo

      Ho bisogno di aiuto per far funzionare PcHelpware con il repeater, non riesco a farlo funzionare, il mio errore è Failed to connect Il nome è valido e presente nel database ma non può……. Init Network failed

    • http://www.traveladriatic.net Croatia

      I have similar problem, my direct connection doesn\’t work. Error: An existing connection was forcibly ….

      But only on one computer in network, other 3 working properly ? :mad: Help please …

    • http://Thanks! Great

      worked great…thank you!

    • iCheng

      UPnP also not working to me…can you pls. explained furthere how do i manually map the port on my router… other simple way..

      thanks in advace!!!!!

    • Hans

      FYI, it may still be helpfull for somebody.

      Initilally I also got the error:
      Socket error write, error code 10054
      –An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.

      What solved it for me was to change the repeater ID to a number, so not using any letters but using digits only.

    • Stan Berka

      Hi,
      I’m having the same prob lem. WinXP. Using only-digits repeaterID doesn’t help. I’m close to give up on PcHelpWare. But $12/month for PCnow is way too much. Any advice?

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