triatomicgrub
asked on
Remote Desktop without logging off current users.
This is quite a specific question, so please only respond for clarification or if you have a working solution!
Most people know that remote desktop connection, or RealVNC will let you control a computer as if you were sitting at it over a network. However, both of these solutions either require the current user of the machine to log off for the remote user to use the machine, or for the current and remote users to share the deskop (however, they can have their own mouse pointer in some versions of RealVNC).
However, I cannot find a program that will let the remote user logon to their account whilst the current user of the machine continues to use their account and be unaffected by the remote user. I would like to know if there is a program, compatible with Windows XP Home as the server and Windows 98SE as the client, that would allow me to logon to my xp account from the Win98 machine and see my desktop remotely, whilst another user is on the xp machine, logged on to their account, and is unaffected by me logging on remotely (except, perhaps, by performance if I run a lot of programs) - sort of like a combination of remote desktop and fast user switching?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Most people know that remote desktop connection, or RealVNC will let you control a computer as if you were sitting at it over a network. However, both of these solutions either require the current user of the machine to log off for the remote user to use the machine, or for the current and remote users to share the deskop (however, they can have their own mouse pointer in some versions of RealVNC).
However, I cannot find a program that will let the remote user logon to their account whilst the current user of the machine continues to use their account and be unaffected by the remote user. I would like to know if there is a program, compatible with Windows XP Home as the server and Windows 98SE as the client, that would allow me to logon to my xp account from the Win98 machine and see my desktop remotely, whilst another user is on the xp machine, logged on to their account, and is unaffected by me logging on remotely (except, perhaps, by performance if I run a lot of programs) - sort of like a combination of remote desktop and fast user switching?
Thanks for any suggestions!
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Hey! I have the perfect solution for you. I acutally use this solution myself in my IT infrastructure here at the office.. I use a program called Remote Administrator 2.1/2.2. www.radmin.com. It will allow you to log onto clients and take direct control as they watch you in real time with mouse movements and control of their windows.. Im actually using it right now.. we have it administered accross Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.. I control everythign here from calgary... I run it as a system service thats transparant to the user/client.. and I can specify port and password access.. VPN and other stuff.
<< and be unaffected by the remote user >> ??
How is that possible? All you have to do is change one file that affects his setup, and ....
I think you mean, you can work independent of whatever local login is currently active at the time, correct?
How is that possible? All you have to do is change one file that affects his setup, and ....
I think you mean, you can work independent of whatever local login is currently active at the time, correct?
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No, modernIT, I looked at that, and it is more along what he is asking than the VNC suite, VNC is login dependent, I think he want's something login INdependent, so I have to support your link, it looks closer to the solution than others.
sciwriter, My solution is Login Independent, but its still a shared environment, I don't know and Im pretty sure there isn't a way to login to a machine and make changes that are transparent to the user while hes actively in that machine.. radmin is a great solution for remote administration as we use it our company.
Well that was my point, just above yours. Making changes to the current user account ALWAYS affects the current user, it impossible to get around this. You don't need VNC or a remote program to see this, simply drop an icon on someone's networked desktop, and you will see this in action.
Nevertheless, radmin looks good, and might be the closest to what he wants. Tell me, how much is involved in the client machine? I have someone (in Vancouver actually!) who needs me to keep his network going, is if fairly simple?
Nevertheless, radmin looks good, and might be the closest to what he wants. Tell me, how much is involved in the client machine? I have someone (in Vancouver actually!) who needs me to keep his network going, is if fairly simple?
You can't do it. It's not just a profile thing - it's also a license thing. Effectively he wants to run two OS sessions on the workstation - not going to happen.
That's what Terminal Server is for.
That's what Terminal Server is for.
actually its quite simply.. you just install the server part on the client machine that you want administer, set a password.. and use the client on your end to log in.. its pretty easy.. if you want a detailed process let me know, and ill write one up for you :)
Its basically working kinda like Terminal.. it sends just mouse movements and screen shots.. so its pretty good for WAN :) I mean hey. I use it for everything.. I finished Installing Exchange accounts on 40 boxes wednesday nite on 40 of my nodes using it :) Its great
ASKER
Here is something similar to what I want to be able to do:
http://www.nwfusion.com/archive/1999/64367_05-10-1999.html
It is talking about Vega Technologies PC Buddy that let you plug in an extra screen, keyboard and mouse into your computer and have two people using the computer independant of each other at one time - I saw it (or something like it) working at my school around 6 years ago - it was set up on a windows 95 machine and each user had their own desktop etc.
Essientially that's what I'm looking to do, but over my exisiting home network. If ModernIT (or whoever knows how!) could explain to me how to do that (sort of set-by-step) I'll put that as the accepted answer, or if it's not entirely possible, the next best thing :)
Thanks
http://www.nwfusion.com/archive/1999/64367_05-10-1999.html
It is talking about Vega Technologies PC Buddy that let you plug in an extra screen, keyboard and mouse into your computer and have two people using the computer independant of each other at one time - I saw it (or something like it) working at my school around 6 years ago - it was set up on a windows 95 machine and each user had their own desktop etc.
Essientially that's what I'm looking to do, but over my exisiting home network. If ModernIT (or whoever knows how!) could explain to me how to do that (sort of set-by-step) I'll put that as the accepted answer, or if it's not entirely possible, the next best thing :)
Thanks
Note carefully - this is a 9x product. Windows 9x has no SAM or security to speak of. You cannot do this in Windows NT/2k/XP since the SAM is not designed for multiple unique sessions. What you're asking is that the client (workstation) act as a Terminal Server - it's not designed to do that.
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Great post, Vinil, super summary.
ASKER
I've given vinil the accepted answer because it's got enough information for me to be able to do something close to what I had hoped for (if I had the time and money to invest, but seeing as this is a home network I won't be attempting it!).
VINIL-I have the same exact question as triatomic except this is for a client of mine. I need to be able to log into the machine without kicking the current user off. The client refuses to have a server based OS at this time, and is running off of XP_pro on a few machines.
So, was it resolved here that you CANNOT login using XP remote desktop(terminal services) without kicking another user off? Also, was it determined that RADMIN is the best solution to purchase to accomplish what myself and triatomic are asking for?
THX for your advice
-TT
So, was it resolved here that you CANNOT login using XP remote desktop(terminal services) without kicking another user off? Also, was it determined that RADMIN is the best solution to purchase to accomplish what myself and triatomic are asking for?
THX for your advice
-TT
Hi TT,
My apologies for the delay in this response. I was waiting to really test out Remote Desktop on Windows XP before answering your query.
I tried to remotely log onto a Windows XP machine with the local user logged on. I was unable to do so without bumping off the locally logged on user. Tried what Windows Help etc. had to say on this, and then finally on Microsoft site, got this FAQ :
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/rdfaq.mspx
One of the FAQ entry (Question 17)) answers your query:
-- Start of Paste ---
Q. The local computer screen locks when a user is connected remotely. How can I get more than one connection to a computer running Windows XP Professional?
A. If you want to have more than one person simultaneously use a computer running Windows XP Professional, you could try Remote Assistance for collaboration and support scenarios. Windows 2000 Server with Terminal Services allows multiple users, as will Windows Server 2003, when it becomes available.
-- End of Paste ---
So, its not possible to have simultaneous sessions in XP Professional using Remote Desktop.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Vinil
My apologies for the delay in this response. I was waiting to really test out Remote Desktop on Windows XP before answering your query.
I tried to remotely log onto a Windows XP machine with the local user logged on. I was unable to do so without bumping off the locally logged on user. Tried what Windows Help etc. had to say on this, and then finally on Microsoft site, got this FAQ :
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/rdfaq.mspx
One of the FAQ entry (Question 17)) answers your query:
-- Start of Paste ---
Q. The local computer screen locks when a user is connected remotely. How can I get more than one connection to a computer running Windows XP Professional?
A. If you want to have more than one person simultaneously use a computer running Windows XP Professional, you could try Remote Assistance for collaboration and support scenarios. Windows 2000 Server with Terminal Services allows multiple users, as will Windows Server 2003, when it becomes available.
-- End of Paste ---
So, its not possible to have simultaneous sessions in XP Professional using Remote Desktop.
Hope that helps,
Regards,
Vinil
Vinil,
Thank you for your time and effort, your help is much appreciated.
Thank you for your time and effort, your help is much appreciated.
There is a program called WinConnect Server XP by ThinSoft Inc. that allows multiple Remote Desktop login sessions to a Windows XP machine. It isn't too cheap but they have a free trial version. More information is available from:
http://www.thinsoftinc.com/products_winconserver_info.html
Jim
http://www.thinsoftinc.com/products_winconserver_info.html
Jim
ASKER
Thanks Jim
Just tried the WinConnect software - it works & does exactly what I wanted it to.
Thanks for the great find!
Just tried the WinConnect software - it works & does exactly what I wanted it to.
Thanks for the great find!
Thanks to Vinil and ReidJim76.. Helped me ALOT!