Remotely Access My GameEx Cab

[Adultery]

Hey everyone.

I want to be able to do stuff on my cabinet while GameEx is running, like move games over to it and make changes to stuff as needed. I was wondering what kind of software people use for this, and how efficient it is. I have XP Home running on the cabinet, and I want to access it with my Vista computer and my XP computer. Do you guys think Remote Desktop will be the best way to handle this task, or is there something software related better suited to this job?

Suggestions?

[Draco1962]

I think that RDP is the best for what you are doing. The problem is that Remote Desktop and Terminal Services are not installed/enabled within XP Home and may require that you convert to XP Pro (check out these links for installing and enabling Remote Desktop in XP Home and Converting XP Home to XP Pro). Once that is done, you should be good to go without any expense or adding another piece of 3rd party software such as a VNC solution.

[Raitsa]

http://www.teamviewer.com/ is considered the leader and its free.

No need to check out any alternatives, imho.

[Adultery]

And I see they have an Android app too... I'll have some research to do. Only thing is I got them on a LAN already. Not sure I want to get the internet involved if it's not needed. It's probably easier just to share the folders I want to access, but way more limited.

@Draco: so I would only have to run this conversion to pro on the machine I want to control, right? If I read that right, xp home can connect to, but not be connected to unless it's XP Pro?

[Tom Speirs]

Ive got ultravnc installed on my cab. Its a good solution based on the famous VNC, free and it supports resolution switching and directx apps running. So really perfect for a cab.

[Adultery]

UltraVNC looks like a pretty attractive option at this point. What's the learning curve on that piece of software? Also a silly question I'm sure, but can I leave GameEx running and still take care of stuff in the background? I mean say someone's playing a game and I want to add some snaps at the same time. Do you see exactly what the user of the machine sees?

[Tom Speirs]

You do see what the user sees unlike remote desktop. However in my experience there may be a bit of lag for the user. If its just sitting in a GameEx menu that shouldn't be a problem. You can do file transfers in the background. Learning curve is not a lot more than remote desktop. AFAIK VNC is the defacto remote desktop solution in the Linux world and the UltraVNC variant has a nice little install package. Just be sure to set the password.

[Draco1962]

I like the RDP as it is what I am most familiar with from my former job, but have also used VNC products of one sort or another. I find RDP a little easier to setup due to that familiarity. One thing I would recommend, though is having your PCs assigned a static IP within your network. Most newer routers will support static assignments within your dynamic range and it is how I have my wifi printer and my PC & laptop, My wife's Kindle & PC, and our 2003 server setup. RDP setup for the PCs and the server. IF you go with UltraVNC as an option, I am not certain but it might be more steady with static IPs assigned as well.

[Tom Speirs]

I prefer RDP and use it extensivly. VNC is better in this case though plus like you say your'll need to use pro xp. RDP also locks out the active live user on the machine. So he would have to go to the machine and unlock it. So yes I agree in general but not in this case and agree also that static IP is preferred.

[Adultery]

Ok. So it sounds like it's UltraVNC. All my network connected devices (all our computers and consoles anyway) use static IP's already so this shouldn't be an issue either. I'll give it a go and see how it works.

It's rare I should ever need to access it remotely while it's being played, I was just more curious than anything. I would like to try RDP but to be honest, it sounds like no fun (ie: work) trying to turn my Home copy into a Pro copy, and I just don't want to reinstall pro on it the long way either. UltraVNC just sounds like a 'put er in and go' solution.

One last question though: I want to use this to drop new theme files and cpanel images on the cab from my work station. Will I need to restart GameEx for the changes to be implimented? If I make changes like this and GameEx is running, will GameEx crash on me, or does it just use the cache image until it is restarted?

Thanks again everyone for the input.

[Tom Speirs]

One last question though: I want to use this to drop new theme files and cpanel images on the cab from my work station. Will I need to restart GameEx for the changes to be implimented? If I make changes like this and GameEx is running, will GameEx crash on me, or does it just use the cache image until it is restarted?

I wouldnt recommend it as its not designed to accomodate it but it depends upon exactly what your changing and what GameEx is doing at the time.

[Adultery]

Ok. I think that answers all my questions. Thank you kind sir!

[bkenobi]

I have another suggestion if you haven't already made up your mind. I have used the concurrent login hack for WinXP for years and was very happy with it. With that hack, you can have 2 logged in accounts at once with different desktops and applications on each. I have one login setup as a gamer account that automatically logs in with instant sheller and starts GameEx. The second login is an admin account that I log in remotely in order to update rom sets and change settings in GameEx.

I recently moved and, when things were disassembled, I broke this setup. I haven't fixed it yet, but I can say that when it was working, it was PERFECT!

[rockyrocket]

I like to use RDP when on my lan, but am a big fan of teamviewer when away from home or helping others with problems remotely its just so easy to use.

[Draco1962]

http://www.teamviewer.com/ is considered the leader and its free.

No need to check out any alternatives, imho.

Teamviewer appears to be similar to Bomgar and Citrix Go-To-Assist (Bomgar requires installing a small client piece and "key" from the server app for the remote location to access).

I do like the following attributes:

â?¢ Includes genuine VPN channel (Virtual

Private Network) in addition to pure desktop

sharing

â?¢ Operates without configuration, even

through firewalls and proxy servers

â?¢ Support of UAC (Windows Vista /

Windows 7)

â?¢ Multi-monitor support â?? transmit or

display the monitor of your choice

â?¢ Installation as Windows system service

possible at no extra cost so that 24/7 access

to target computer is possible (example:

remote server maintenance)

â?¢ Direct LAN connection via TCP/IP possible;

software is also suitable for use in LAN

without an Internet connection

â?¢ Web Connector â?? Do you need to be able

to carry out critical tasks in an emergency

when you are on the road (e.g., on a holiday

from the hotel or an Internet café)? Simply

control remote computers via the web

browser without an installation (pure

HTML and Flash)

â?¢ Portable version â?? Take your personal

configured TeamViewer with you and start

it, e.g., directly from your USB stick

â?¢ Permanent access to unattended computers/

servers with TeamViewer Host

Could possibly be a viable alternative to UltraVNC. Likely I will test this in my LAN environment real soon.

[Adultery]

The thing I liked a lot with TeamViewer was the android app... It would make it possible to make changes from my Galaxy S. So many choices...

I'm gonna do some testing today and see which one feels right for me.

[Tom Speirs]

Teamviewer appears to be similar to Bomgar and Citrix Go-To-Assist (Bomgar requires installing a small client piece and "key" from the server app for the remote location to access).

I do like the following attributes:

â?¢ Includes genuine VPN channel (Virtual

Private Network) in addition to pure desktop

sharing

â?¢ Operates without configuration, even

through firewalls and proxy servers

â?¢ Support of UAC (Windows Vista /

Windows 7)

â?¢ Multi-monitor support â?? transmit or

display the monitor of your choice

â?¢ Installation as Windows system service

possible at no extra cost so that 24/7 access

to target computer is possible (example:

remote server maintenance)

â?¢ Direct LAN connection via TCP/IP possible;

software is also suitable for use in LAN

without an Internet connection

â?¢ Web Connector â?? Do you need to be able

to carry out critical tasks in an emergency

when you are on the road (e.g., on a holiday

from the hotel or an Internet café)? Simply

control remote computers via the web

browser without an installation (pure

HTML and Flash)

â?¢ Portable version â?? Take your personal

configured TeamViewer with you and start

it, e.g., directly from your USB stick

â?¢ Permanent access to unattended computers/

servers with TeamViewer Host

Could possibly be a viable alternative to UltraVNC. Likely I will test this in my LAN environment real soon.

Yeah, it does sound pretty good. Its new to me too.

[fRequEnCy]

I use TeamViewer to remote into my HTPC at the moment. I've been using it for some time. It's very simple. I've tried others but not lately since I just stuck with TeamViewer. I also use it for remote support here in the forums. Maybe some of the users can comment on the experience they've had with me fixing/troubleshooting their machines. I suggest you try the various suggested apps and see what works best for you. Everyone will always have a different opinion.

[Adultery]

Well I must say I'm pretty amazed with TeamViewer so far! I was able to log into my unattended laptop from my phone and uninstall some software I didn't need, and when I was home I was able to port some DC games over to the cab via LAN super quickly.

I love it so far, and I think this is just perfect for me. I'm gonna put it on my dad's machine too so I don't have to fly out there to do maintenance. This software really seems pretty innovative to me, but I'm new to the remote management thing. It'll be nice to do what Freq is able to do for some users too.

It gets an A from me!

[Draco1962]

How did you set it up on your machines, etc? Did you use the VNC option or what?

[Adultery]

Haha questions!

Well in a nutshell, there was a wizard and I let it pick options based on what I wanted to do (set up the server on the cab and the kids PC). Then I added each of my machines to my "trusted partners" list so I could use the computers even if they were unattended. Then I had to enable LAN connections in the options menu, and disable the button it adds to the window because that popped up over my emulators. All in all I was ready to manage my whole network in under 10 mins.

I'm a VNC newb so I hope that answered your question!

[Raitsa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIxnNxGd2NM

[bkenobi]

The only issue I see is that you have to run another service or else launch a new application before the other computer tries to connect (I haven't looked to see which). I really liked concurrent login while it worked since that approach is built in to Windows (sorta...it was, then it was removed, then the hack puts it back). Either way, it works exactly like the server versions of Windows because that's how MS designed it.

As far as a VNC app, though, TeamViewer looks AWESOME!

[Draco1962]

From what i have seen TeamViewer is pretty cool to say the least. Likely, I will stick with RDP as I seldom have need to remote into anything other than my server since it is headless. Otherwise, my wife and I have our office in the same room for our desktop systems. All of our systems are mapped to shares on the server so moving files is pretty easy (copy to a share - copy from a share). The less additional programs installed and maintained works best for me. Like to keep things as simple as possible.

[simbamame]

I use TeamViewer to remote into my HTPC at the moment. I've been using it for some time. It's very simple. I've tried others but not lately since I just stuck with TeamViewer. I also use it for remote support here in the forums. Maybe some of the users can comment on the experience they've had with me fixing/troubleshooting their machines. I suggest you try the various suggested apps and see what works best for you. Everyone will always have a different opinion.

My vote goes to Teamviewer as frequency has on numerous occasions remote`d into my HTPC from the states ( I'm in the UK ) and its worked VERY well.

Ian.