FreeNX or Remote desktop software for Windows?

englishpremier · 14 May 2008 at 10:10

Is there something like FreeNX for windows?

We have a PC running as a print and fax server sitting the corner of our office. The people in my office need desktop access to this PC without being physically at the machine. For Linux to Windows I use FreeNX but what options are there for a Windows to Windows PC?

Thanks

Rob7865 · 14 May 2008 at 10:15

Hi
For Windows to Windows you can use the Remote Desktop application - make sure the Print Server has the Remote Desktop Enabled (Right Click My Computer, Properties, Remote Tab), then on the Client PC use the Remote Desktop Connection application (XP/Vista built in - Sub 2000 need to download the client)

Rob

englishpremier · 14 May 2008 at 13:33

Unfortunately that does not work - remote desktop can only be used on a host when running XP pro or above. This computer is running XP home and will not be upgraded.

Are there any other software alternatives?

R4z0r · 14 May 2008 at 14:33

Dracata · 14 May 2008 at 15:34

englishpremier said:
Unfortunately that does not work - remote desktop can only be used on a host when running XP pro or above. This computer is running XP home and will not be upgraded.

Are there any other software alternatives?

R4z0r said:
VNC

As above, specifically VNC Enterprise Edition

http://www.realvnc.com

30-day free trial included as standard, try it out; If you'd rather not purchase, use VNC Free Edition / Ultra VNC

bledd · 14 May 2008 at 16:34

install tightvnc server on that machine, then download realvnc setup on another machine, extract 'vncviewer.exe' from this, and give that exe to all the staff that need to connect to it

vncviewer.exe can be run standalone, and is the best combination i've found

dave-lew99 · 14 May 2008 at 17:58

I know you said they need desktop access but is it not practical to serve the printer over samba and also the fax, depending how the fax server works (if it emulates a windows printer you could share this over samba too)?

bluestreak101 · 15 May 2008 at 16:44

TightVNC, will do exactly what you need (google it)

englishpremier · 16 May 2008 at 10:25

dave-lew99 said:
I know you said they need desktop access but is it not practical to serve the printer over samba and also the fax, depending how the fax server works (if it emulates a windows printer you could share this over samba too)?

nah no chance - I'm leaving in two weeks and want to make things simple for them. The users will be 4 middle aged women - Think they've enjoyed having a young guy around. Anyway they have no clue about linux or most other computer related things and the boss won't stump up any cash. They do have basic windows xp knowledge and know a man who can work with XP if they get into difficulties after i leave.

I'll give tightvnc a go as normal VNC didn't appear to work it says not accepting connections after I wouldn't let it connect to the internet - I only want to use this locally you see.

bledd · 16 May 2008 at 12:46

you have to allow it, it won't be used over the internet, unless a port is forwarded to it (through the router)

allow it in firewall or it'll never work, it's using tcp/ip so you have to allow it

Dracata · 16 May 2008 at 13:46

englishpremier said:
nah no chance - I'm leaving in two weeks and want to make things simple for them. The users will be 4 middle aged women - Think they've enjoyed having a young guy around. Anyway they have no clue about linux or most other computer related things and the boss won't stump up any cash. They do have basic windows xp knowledge and know a man who can work with XP if they get into difficulties after i leave.

I'll give tightvnc a go as normal VNC didn't appear to work it says not accepting connections after I wouldn't let it connect to the internet - I only want to use this locally you see.

"Not accepting connections" suggests you've configured VNC not to listen on port 5900 (effectively disabling it), you'll need to ensure it's accepting connections; It won't be able to accept connections from the internet unless you configure port forwarding, so don't worry about that. You will however, need to open TCP 5900 in the firewall of the VNC Server machine.

englishpremier · 16 May 2008 at 15:40

thanks - tightvnc did the trick - but even on a local LAN connection its nowhere near as quick as FreeNX on a WAN conncetion

Dracata · 19 May 2008 at 15:12

englishpremier said:
thanks - tightvnc did the trick - but even on a local LAN connection its nowhere near as quick as FreeNX on a WAN conncetion

TightVNC uses the old VNC Hooks capture method, they also use lossy compression and the performance is negligible.

Download and try VNC Enterprise Edition;

http://www.realvnc.com

VNC EE uses the VNC Mirror Driver (a secondary graphics driver installed onto your machine) and provides greatly improved performance over that of VNC Hooks/Polling