Trying to set up my laptop/desktop so that I can view the files on my desktop using my laptop at school....what's the easiest way to do this? Windows directions are alllll screwed up for setting up and using remote desktop - and it has an error message that states two vista premium computers can't even connect!

Is there a freeware program that can allieviate using window's version?

Or can someone give basic instructions for installing it right...the windows help directions reference and tell me to click on things that don't exist

desktop running vista premium 32 bit
laptop running vista premium 64 bit

8/23/2009 11:15:59 PM

http://logmein.com

probably the easiest thing for you to use. It's free, easy to set up, and it works well.

8/24/2009 1:07:14 AM

I second, ^

8/24/2009 7:03:44 AM

I third that. logmein ftw

8/24/2009 7:30:35 AM

logmein is the easiest

you can also do it also with a program called VNC. in order to use it though you'll have to set up port forwarding on your router. not particularly difficult, but logmein is probably easier.

although I just use Hamachi + RDP

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 8:33 AM. Reason : a]

8/24/2009 8:33:09 AM

Quote :

"although I just use Hamachi + RDP"

why this instead of logmein?

8/24/2009 9:42:50 AM

hamachi is awesome for file sharing and i have RDP connections just setup on my desktop that go to the IP's of other computers that i need to connect to (and two different networks setup--one for work, one for personal). it's just easier for me to do it that way.. esp when i do a lot of work that needs a VPN (server in SC that i work off of sometimes) but they wont let me buy any real hardware that supports vpn's

8/24/2009 9:49:44 AM

Quote :

"error message that states two vista premium computers can't even connect! "

Vista Home Premium does not offer Remote Desktop as a feature. Windows XP Home was the same way. You need Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate to get the Remote Desktop feature.

Not sure on other solutions though, apologies. Been using RDP for awhile and purchased a Vista flavor which had it.

8/24/2009 11:31:11 PM

I've been using Hamachi for a while now, which has worked great. Just tried logmein for the first time today. Pretty sweet. I didn't realize the first time I read over the program description that it loads in a browser window on any pc, rather than having to install clients on both PCs.

8/26/2009 1:34:35 PM

Can you transfer files back and forth on the same local network?

8/26/2009 1:44:05 PM

I know with hamachi it doesn't matter what network you're on, as long as each computer has the client running and they're signed in on the same account/private network. I'm sure you can do the same with logmein, but I haven't tried it yet.

8/26/2009 1:50:53 PM

yeah, trying it now, seems like it will work fine

8/26/2009 1:53:33 PM

The "free" version is still a 30 day 120min trial version.....am I missing something?

8/29/2009 7:13:20 PM

Are you referring to LogMeIn? the free version of logmein let's you try the pro version for 30days i believe. you'll notice that after 30days, some of the features won't be available. But remote desktop will always be available. And I've never noticed a 2hr limit, so that may have something to do with the pro trial as well.

8/30/2009 1:01:16 PM