LOGMEIN but free?

[matt100]

I just trialled Logmein, mainly because I was slightly incapacitated for a couple of weeks and I wanted to be able to grab files off the pc downstairs when on my laptop.

It worked great but for £7 a month or whatever its a bit OTT, what I would like to be able to do it just browse the files on my main PC thats always connected to the internet whilst not in front of that machine.

I get the sneaky feeling this logmein is a service I could probably get for nothing with the right options in window (vista ult 64 on the main pc, xp pro on the laptop).

Is there a free method?

 

[Ethics]

Errr file sharing....

No clever service or anything, set the shares you want, then map the drive/browse via IP as you like...

Google setting it up, easy as pie.

If you physically want to view the machine in question, VNC is similar

 

[tedaC]

There is a fully free version of logmein
https://secure.logmein.com/home.asp?lang=en

 

[matt100]

sorry guys I'm not great with networking.. watercooling yes ooh pretty pipes etc but IPs etc just have me lost.

The free version of logmein doesn't do anything other than let you view the pc, you can remote control it but not cut/paste/share etc.

Cheers ethics, whats the best search phrase to get an idiots guide to sharing? Thanks again

 

[richieboy]

VNC is one of many options.

 

[matt100]

So with VNC I guess if I want the file transfer too to be able to copy/past off my home pc onto my desktop I'd need a licence?

Still £15 is a lot better than £7 a month!!

 

[Ethics]

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-share-a-folder-the-xp-way-in-windows-vista/

How to share the folder


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308582

Mounting it in XP

I only skimmed them but they cover the basics.

Give it a go and post back if you have any problems. TBH VNC for filesharing is a bit overkill too when windows has the functionality built in.

 

[richieboy]

Give it a go and post back if you have any problems. TBH VNC for filesharing is a bit overkill too when windows has the functionality built in.

Totally agree, i linked the free version for remote controlling a PC - not sharing files.

Use Windows shares if all you want to do is copy/paste between machines!

 

[bledd]

seriously mate, stop looking into 3rd party things, you can 'map' a shared folder (ie my documents) from one pc to say M: on the other pc..

to start off, change the pc names for both machines to say "desktop" and "laptop" or whatever, something short and easy


then on the desktop, right click the folder you want to share, click 'sharing' or similar, then click ok.

now go to the laptop, in the run box or explorer, type.. \\desktop, it'll now come up with the shared folder link on the screen

to make things easier, make sure the username on both machines is the same, with the same password (otherwise you may be promted with a login box)


only Ethics has suggested this so far, i'm shocked!

 

[v0n]

The free version of logmein doesn't do anything other than let you view the pc, you can remote control it but not cut/paste/share etc.

Puzzled. Free version of logmein can cut, copy and paste.

 

[matt100]

seriously mate, stop looking into 3rd party things, you can 'map' a shared folder (ie my documents) from one pc to say M: on the other pc..

to start off, change the pc names for both machines to say "desktop" and "laptop" or whatever, something short and easy


then on the desktop, right click the folder you want to share, click 'sharing' or similar, then click ok.

now go to the laptop, in the run box or explorer, type.. \\desktop, it'll now come up with the shared folder link on the screen

to make things easier, make sure the username on both machines is the same, with the same password (otherwise you may be promted with a login box)


only Ethics has suggested this so far, i'm shocked!

I'm moving again now so its more of an over the internet thing now, so I can get files when I'm some distance away which I am quite often. Will this approach cover that if I'm not physically on the same network?

Puzzled. Free version of logmein can cut, copy and paste.

from one of the machines to another? Their website says not?

 

[bledd]

get it working like that now, then install hamachi (free version) on both machines don't select disable vulnerable services

then they'll be on the same network from anywhere

 

[matt100]

ooh, fancy! I'll give that a go cheers

 

[uv]

then install hamachi

+1

Hamachi will do exactly what you need, and it's free

 

[Hamish]

could use Dropbox? http://www.getdropbox.com i've got a spare invite if you want it.

 

[Dazzy_G]

how about running an FTP server?

http://www.guildftpd.com/

if you just want the files.

 

[Skeeter]

LogMeIn Free is brilliant for remote support. Have it installed on all family PCs and my girlfriends so I can just jump on and fix problems without having to worry about network setup.

Hamachi is briliant for basically having a LAN but over the internet! Again, works from anywhere! Its also good for playing LAN games when you dont have the ability to play online.

 

[ns400r]

All seem overkill "to grab files off the pc downstairs when on my laptop"!
Windows networking would be a much simpler solution. Go on, look it up and learn a little.

 

[bledd]

^that was my initial response, but he replied saying he'd want it on the move too (so hamachi perfectly fits the bill)

hamachi + windows sharing

 

[Ethics]

^that was my initial response, but he replied saying he'd want it on the move too (so hamachi perfectly fits the bill)

hamachi + windows sharing

(confession before i start, haven't googled it yet )

How does Hamachi work from remote addresses? do you have to forward all smb ports to the receiving machine?