Controlling a PC from a mobile phone via the internet

Caporegime
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What apps are there that do this for android and what are you using?

I'm looking into the possibility of logging into my home PC no matter where I am in the world so I can access any files remotely.

I've done some Googling but would like to hear what's worked for people and what has not.

Secondly has anyone managed to get their phone reliably working as a remote control for an HTPC?

Many thanks.
 
There's a free Remote Desktop client, That's what i'm using. VNC is good too, but I find RDP gives a much smoother experience outside of the LAN.

XMBC has an android remote for HTPC's
 
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If it's just file access you could consider a dropbox account. Dropbox is free on Android too.

I have logmein. Excellent app.
 
If it's just file access you could consider a dropbox account. Dropbox is free on Android too.

I have logmein. Excellent app.

At the moment it's just file access, but I'm also getting a Wi-Fi baby monitor when our baby comes along. I want to be able to access this from anywhere using my phone (yes Mummy will be at home whenever the baby is!) via my PC.

I may also need full control of my PC, kind of like remote desktop.
 
At the moment it's just file access, but I'm also getting a Wi-Fi baby monitor when our baby comes along. I want to be able to access this from anywhere using my phone (yes Mummy will be at home whenever the baby is!) via my PC.

I may also need full control of my PC, kind of like remote desktop.

Depending on how technical you are, the logmein application is probably going to be the easiest. Logmein has been around for years, you simply install the client on your machine and use the mobile or another other machine with web access to access that machine remotely.

The direct remote desktop route will require you to open ports on your router, do some port forwarding and of course enable remote desktop access on your computer. As most home users will use Windows XP home or vista/7 home premium bear in mind that remote desktop isn't available for INCOMING connections on a home/home premium machine! The client is installed for going OUT but not for accepting remote desktop connections. You need Pro/Ultimate for that.

VNC is another option, but again it requires port forwarding on the router.
 
Port forwarding not a problem, I'm familiar with all of that.

As most home users will use Windows XP home or vista/7 home premium bear in mind that remote desktop isn't available for INCOMING connections on a home/home premium machine! The client is installed for going OUT but not for accepting remote desktop connections. You need Pro/Ultimate for that.

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Had not considered that!
 
I have homepipe installed and I haven't tested it yet other than with their servers which you just use for demo purposes. Anyway, I've been wondering about this - excuse my ignorance though - it is particularly safe remotely connecting to your home pc from a phone?
 
You can get a CIFS(Samba) add on for the Astro file manager if it's just files you want to access. I've not tried it personally yet though as I have SSH/SCP set up to my Linux server at home.
 
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