Logmein/Teamviewer - remote box offline until Windows login

str0ppy · 25 Jan 2012 at 10:02

I've used Logmein for ages, but about a year ago I stopped being able to connect to a remote machine before Windows logon. So if I reboot the box, it doesn't come online until some logs in. This worked perfectly for quite some time beforehand.

Yesterday I switched to Teamviewer, but the problem is still the same.

Please can anyone help with this?

Deception · 25 Jan 2012 at 10:14

str0ppy said:
I've used Logmein for ages, but about a year ago I stopped being able to connect to a remote machine before Windows logon. So if I reboot the box, it doesn't come online until some logs in. This worked perfectly for quite some time beforehand.

Yesterday I switched to Teamviewer, but the problem is still the same.

Please can anyone help with this?

They changed firewall software? I know some software wont allow connections until the firewall has been started up.

str0ppy · 25 Jan 2012 at 10:51

Deception said:
They changed firewall software? I know some software wont allow connections until the firewall has been started up.

Hadn't thought of that. But still don't reckon as have been using Comodo forever. Perhaps a firewall setting? Wouldn't know where to look tbh.

Deception · 25 Jan 2012 at 11:02

str0ppy said:
Hadn't thought of that. But still don't reckon as have been using Comodo forever. Perhaps a firewall setting? Wouldn't know where to look tbh.

Try disabling it altogether and see if it lets you on. If it still dont, then we can rule that out

str0ppy · 25 Jan 2012 at 11:23

Deception said:
Try disabling it altogether and see if it lets you on. If it still dont, then we can rule that out

Ok will do. Thanks.

KIA · 25 Jan 2012 at 12:09

Is it running as a service?

str0ppy · 25 Jan 2012 at 15:29

KIA said:
Is it running as a service?

This was the first thing I checked and all looks ok. The fact that the same thing happens with two different bits of software makes me think it's not that.

bledd · 25 Jan 2012 at 15:32

Another check..

Do you use a wireless connection on that machine? Some wireless drivers don't initiate properly until you're logged in. (Possible even LAN drivers too).

Worth updating all drivers and not having the firewall on there

str0ppy · 25 Jan 2012 at 22:30

Ok, I uninstalled Comodo and was able to see the machine online after a reboot.

So it's definitely the firewall, but not a straight forward not letting the application through because once logged in everything works fine (correct me if I'm wrong, just a guess).

Can anyone advise the possible area in Comodo that I should be looking?

Thanks.

bledd · 25 Jan 2012 at 23:19

I don't bother with a standalone firewall, I just use a router and leave the Windows firewall one. Don't see the point of it

Deception · 26 Jan 2012 at 06:49

bledd. said:
I don't bother with a standalone firewall, I just use a router and leave the Windows firewall one. Don't see the point of it

^This. Just get a decent Anti-virus and let Windows and your router handle the firewall

.

Oh and before you ask about a decent anti-virus, see this thread .

str0ppy · 26 Jan 2012 at 09:32

Ok thanks.

I'm using Avast which I reckon is pretty good, but might check out MSE as a replacement.

Back to the firewall thing, this is going to make me sound terribly thick, but all I have is the standard Netgear router that I got with my Virgin connection (no idea what model - less than four years old). What are the chances that this has a firewall built in? To be honest I've always used a standalone firewall so it's never even crossed my mind.

Thanks for the help.

Deception · 26 Jan 2012 at 11:10

That netgear router should be fine. Just enable Windows Firewall too along with it

str0ppy · 26 Jan 2012 at 11:59

Brilliant. Thanks a lot for your help.

Think I'm going to stick with Avast though. Heard less negatives about that than MSE.

bledd · 26 Jan 2012 at 12:17

Routers have this thing called NAT, any wild viruses/hackers will just think your router is a pc and essentially do nothing when they reach it (because it can't be infected)

If you forward a port to your PC from the router, this is when you're more likely to open yourself up to potential problems. Something like Windows firewall will take care of that side of things.

Avast is a good choice, personally, I use MSE, Nod32 if someone wants to pay for a product or nothing.. IE my Media Centre