How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Home
       #1

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad


    Hi, hope someone can advise? My Dad is terrible with computers, and trying to talk him through logging into skype just about drove me mad.

    I would like to setup a TightVNC connection so I can access his PC remotely and help him get things sorted. I have tested this at home and I can access another laptop, but I am using my home network and the IP address of the laptop to connect.

    Presumably if I try and connect to my Dad's PC I will need his IP address, but will that just be his normal PC IP address, or his Router IP address, or does something else need configured?

    I don't want to attempt this and have it fail as my Dad is likely to unplug his PC for ever!

    We are both on Windows 10.

    Thanks in anticipation,

    David
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 605
    win 10
       #2

    Hi have you looked into team viewer might be easier. I have not used it in years but when I did it work good. some reading on it here. TeamViewer: The Remote Desktop Software
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18,473
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    In most cases, you are going to need to set up a DDNS server on his router, because, more than likely, his internet connection is set up with DNS from his ISP and, therefor, his internet IP address can change. Then you will need to setup up port forwarding on his router to forward the TightVNC traffic to the TightVNC server on his computer.

    This is the DDNS page of my router setup:
    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-capture.jpg

    A second option is to set up a VPN, if his router supports a VPN server. Then you VPN into his router, and then use either TightVNC or just standard Windows 10 Remote Desktop (if his computer has Windows 10 Pro). Here is the VPN setup page of my router:
    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-capture1.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,051
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    Go with TeamViewer or built-in Remote Desktop. Both are much easier to setup and use, especially TeamViewer. You both install it.

    Go to the link above, click on Download for free and save the TeamViewer_setup.exe file on your Desktop or in your Download folder.
    Go to wherever you saved the file, right click on it and select Open to start the install.
    Make sure Default installation and Personal / Non-commercial use are selected, click Accept - finish.

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-teamviewer-1.jpg

    Close the What's New window.

    When you start TeamViewer you get a window like this. Your Dad has to install it and start it also.
    He then gives you his Partner ID which you enter into the Partner ID box then click Connect.

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-teamviewer-2.jpg

    Next screen you will be asked for his password which he gives you and you enter and voilla` you connect to his computer and see his screen.
    You will also see in the bottom right, this info window. You can get rid of it by clicking on the > in the tab outlined in red.

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-teamviewer-4.jpg

    That's it. When done both click the X at top right to close then close the next advert window.

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-teamviewer-3.jpg

    Have fun.
    Last edited by Ztruker; 05 Jun 2020 at 15:44.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #5

    NavyLCDR said:
    In most cases, you are going to need to set up a DDNS server on his router, because, more than likely, his internet connection is set up with DNS from his ISP and, therefor, his internet IP address can change. Then you will need to setup up port forwarding on his router to forward the TightVNC traffic to the TightVNC server on his computer.

    This is the DDNS page of my router setup:
    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-capture.jpg

    A second option is to set up a VPN, if his router supports a VPN server. Then you VPN into his router, and then use either TightVNC or just standard Windows 10 Remote Desktop (if his computer has Windows 10 Pro). Here is the VPN setup page of my router:
    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-capture1.jpg
    Thanks NavyLCDR. I understand that, but there is no way I can access my Dad's router and set this up. Suspect he doesn't have the password to access it anyway. I think TeamViewer is the solution I need, but thanks for your help.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,120
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2
       #6

    If you're going to use TeamViewer then I suggest:

    1. Set your own password and disable the random password (Options > Security).
    2. Allow access at Windows logon (Options > Security) so you can reboot and get back in if TeamViewer is set to 'Start with Windows' (Options > General).
    3. Set your Dad's wallpaper to 'solid colour' and remove the tick from the Remove remote wallpaper checkbox (Options > Remote control). That way, if he ever says a picture's appeared on his desktop then you'll be able to see it.
    4. Tick the Send key combinations checkbox (Options > Remote control) so you can use things like Winkey+e at your end to start File Explorer on your Dad's PC.
    5. Tick the Show your partner's cursor checkbox (Options > Remote control) so, if he asks you to change his cursor size, you'll be able to see it.
    6. Tick the Automatically minimize local TeamViewer panel checkbox (Options > Advanced). Your Dad doesn't need to see this and you'll be forever minimizing it yourself manually anyway just to get it out of the way.
    7. Set all this up on TeamViewer at your end first, export the settings (Options > Advanced) then use TeamViewer's transfer mode (Files & Extras > Open file transfer) to copy the export over to your Dad's PC and import them into his TeamViewer (Options > Advanced).
    8. You'll still need to talk your Dad through closing the TeamViewer 'Thank you for playing fair' dialog which appears on his screen after the connection is closed. Just make sure he knows to only click on the 'OK' button (or - better still - use the X 'close' button on the far-right of the titlebar).

    I've been using TeamViewer since version 4 and IMO it's by far the best solution for use with aging parents. (I use AutoHotkey as well and wrote a 4-line script to automate connection to my Dad's PC without any of the usual typing of partner ID or password at my end. Let me know if this would be of any use to you.)

    Hope this helps...
    Last edited by RickC; 05 Jun 2020 at 11:07.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 34
    windows 10
       #7

    RickC said:
    I've been using TeamViewer since version 4 and IMO it's by far the best solution for use with aging parents. (I use AutoHotkey as well and wrote a 4-line script to automate connection to my Dad's PC without any of the usual typing of partner ID or password at my end. Let me know if this would be of any use to you.)

    Hope this helps...
    can you share your script please.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,246
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #8

    Hi folks

    forget Teamviewer -- they are getting far too rapacious these days even for private domestic consumers --"Corporate Greed" rearing its ugly head again.

    While not the best protocol your best bet in this situation is to simply use RDP.

    On the remote computer you need to ensure that remote access is enabled. That can be done in the old control panel or system settings.

    As for the IP address -- that will be the IP address of his router that appears to the outside internet. I'll assume that both are using IPV4 (that's where IP addresses are of the form xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx). If it's IPV6 also do-able but a whole other ball game.

    Stuff here should get you started.

    How to use Remote Desktop app to connect to a PC on Windows 10 | Windows Central

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,120
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2
       #9

    lqlaow said:
    can you share your script please.

    Sure... at its simplest it's just:
    Code:
    TVPASS := "<password_you_set>"
    TVID := "<partner_ID>"
    Run, "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer.exe" -i %TVID% --Password %TVPASS%
    Return

    I've expanded it to include comments:
    Code:
    ; Can TeamViewer be used within a local network (LAN) only?
    ; Are there parameters to start TeamViewer?
    ; Note: If connecting over the internet, use the device-specific ID generated by TeamViewer
    ; If connecting within a LAN you can use the computername OR the IP address to cut out the third-party handshaking
    
    ; Example... (note: this is a dummy password for demo purposes - just substitute the password you set)
    TVPASS := "12ConnectMe34"
    
    ; Example... connect to device in same home network
    ;TVID := "LOUNGE-PC" ; Connect using computername
    ;TVID := "192.168.1.100" ; Connect using IP address
    
    ; Connect to Dad's PC over internet (note: this is a dummy ID for demo purposes)
    TVID := "644051928"
    
    ; Example - Connect into remote VIEWING session:
    Run, "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer.exe" -i %TVID% --Password %TVPASS%
    
    ; Example - connect into remote FILE TRANSFER session:
    ; Run, "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer.exe" -i %TVID% --Password %TVPASS% -m fileTransfer
    
    Return

    If my Dad was the only one I used TeamViewer with then I could have reduced the code still further to just 1-line:

    Code:
    Run, "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer.exe" -i "644051928" --Password "12ConnectMe34"

    However, I also use TeamViewer with other members of my family so I'm using variables to set up a rudimentary GUI to use a dropdown list of family members and option button for whether to append the 'file transfer' request. For example:

    Code:
    Gui, Add, Radio, x12 y10 w120 h20, File Transfer mode
    Gui, Add, DropDownList, x12 y40 w120 h20 vWho, Brother|Dad||Sister 
    Gui, Add, Button, x170 y20 w100 h30, Connect
    Gui, Show, w300 h75, My TeamViewer Connect

    ... in order to show:

    How to use TightVNC for remote computer access for my Dad-my_tv_connect.png

    However, I've only just started on coding a GUI... since this thread made me think a bit more about how I used TeamViewer.

    Hope this helps...
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 34
    windows 10
       #10

    the dropdown menu is very nice
      My Computer


 

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