Using remote assistance
If you've ever needed help with your computer but your computer-savvy buddy is miles away, you can use a feature from Windows called Windows Remote Assistance. Remote Assistance allows you to fix computers remotely, or to allow someone you know and trust to work on your computer. While there are other programs on the market that can fix computers remotely, Windows Remote Assistance is free and is available to anyone with a Windows operating system. This program allows someone in another place to have access to your computer, and even to use his mouse and keyboard on your computer. Windows Remote Assistance enables another person to look at your system and see where your problem might be, or he can use it to instruct you on perform a task. Both you and the person using Remote Assistance must be using the same operating system and Windows Messenger. These instructions are for using Windows Remote Assistance with Windows XP.
Instructions
1. Contact the person you wish to help you with your computer and let her know that you will be sending her a Windows Remote Assistance invitation. This will give her a chance to set time aside to help you to be sure she has Windows Messenger downloaded. If you will be the one helping someone else, make sure these steps are in place before starting Windows Remote Assistance.
2. Turn on your computer and sign in to Windows Messenger.
3. Check your computer's settings to make sure Remote Assistance is enabled. Open your Start menu, right-click on "My Computer" and then open "Properties." Select the "Remote" tab at the top of the System Properties window, and make sure the box is checked to allow remote assistance invitations to be sent from the computer. Click the "Advanced" button and check the box that says, "Allow this computer to be controlled remotely." Click "OK."
4. From your desktop, click "Start" and then "All Programs."
5. Select "Remote Assistance" from the programs list. At this point, the Windows Help and Support Center window opens.
6. Choose "Invite someone to help you" from the options listed. You will be given two options for inviting someone to help you: sending an invitation by way of Windows Messenger, or sending an invitation via email. If you use the email option, the other party must be using Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.
7. You will be notified once the person assisting you has accepted your invitation. Enter the password if you have set one. You will be asked to grant the person permission to proceed. Select "Yes."
8. Chat with your assistant by way of typing in the chat box, or you can voice-chat if you both have microphones.
9. The assistant can view the troubled computer. If the assistant wishes to take control of the computer, you will have to grant permission first. Once you do, he has access to the control panel. All activity will be listed in the chat box.
10. Stop the Windows Remote Assistance control at any time, or disconnect by clicking on your selection on the right side of the open Remote Assistance window.
Tags: Remote Assistance, Windows Remote, Windows Remote Assistance, your computer, Windows Messenger, make sure
