Remote access options?

[Arimack]

How do most of you access your machine once built?  I am looking to begin my project and this is one of the issues I am looking at right now.

I am considering remote access (no keyboard set up on the machine itself) for general maintenance.  I know I will have to plan for keyboard access in an emergency but would like to do most of the work remotely.  I plan on having my cabinet on my home network and access it using a free program like Log Me In (https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/).  I have been using this successfully for a few years, mostly with family and friends to provide computer help when they have problems on their PCs. 

Has anyone tried this on their project?  Any other remote access options that have worked well?  Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Blanka]

I run my machine with a MacMini. Just enable Remote Desktop from the Sharing control panel (enable the generic VNC option under advanced), and use any VNC client on the network to take over the machine. Works flawless, and with the basic graphics of most, I get very decent frame rates too!

[Arimack]

Thanks, Blanca.  I am going to try Remote Desktop on another computer on my home network tonight.

In the past I have used Log Me In for my home stuff because when travelling and wife has a problem, I can remote in and fix it.  Add to that that I am too lazy to use two options when it provides a single solution.  But I am questioning Log Me In for this set up because I do not like the idea of going out onto the internet to remotely access something on my home network. 

One advantage to Log Me In that needs considering is that Log Me In now has the capability to do a restart of the remote system with a automated reconnect of the remote after restart.  Can this be done with Remote Desktop?

[lanman31337]

shutdown -r in command prompt, wait a minute, reconnect remote desktop

[05SRT4]

I used the log me in at my old job and loved it. I never considered it for my arcade (no internet most of the time).

Windows has its own remote access that I have tried out on a friends PC when they needed help. It took a little bit to setup but worked okay not as good as log me in though.

[bkenobi]

Remote Desktop works just fine in Windows.  It works when connecting from different OS versions as well without issue.  I wouldn't even say "it takes a while to set up" personally.  You turn on the option and make sure you have a password on the account you want to log in to.  On the other system, put in the IP of the remote system and enter the appropriate credentials.  You can tweak some settings to your liking, but it works out of the box.  I have this setup working on 2 arcade cabs and my file server/home automation system.

[drventure]

I prefer VNC (UltraVNC being my distro of choice).

It's fairly easy to setup, fast, and can survive a logout (ie you can STILL SEE the screen of the remote after you've logged out, and thus can log in again under a different user).

That's a big deal to me, because I set my machines up to auto login, but those user credentials have VERY limited access to anything. Mainly just the "games" folder off c:\

But to actually do anything with the machine, I generally log off from that user and login via a different set of credentials with a pwd, that has net access and admin rights.

Windows Remote access makes that process more difficult.

But, I've got a few machines, where, for whatever reason, UltraVNC will connect but then the screen is hung. No idea what's up with that.

So, I deal with Windows RAS anyway.

But for local access, I +really+ like the logitech k400 keyboard.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=logitech+wireless+keyboard&num=50&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=YI1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnsuz&biw=1027&bih=760&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5795281899137600688&sa=X&ei=xdTQT8PXNKmY2wXN-_G-DA&ved=0CJMBEOUNMAA



it's wireless, has a built in touchpad, has great battery life, plus it can be turned off.

And it's small enough to tuck almost anywhere on a normal cab.

[bkenobi]

I prefer VNC (UltraVNC being my distro of choice).

It's fairly easy to setup, fast, and can survive a logout (ie you can STILL SEE the screen of the remote after you've logged out, and thus can log in again under a different user).

That's a big deal to me, because I set my machines up to auto login, but those user credentials have VERY limited access to anything. Mainly just the "games" folder off c:\

But to actually do anything with the machine, I generally log off from that user and login via a different set of credentials with a pwd, that has net access and admin rights.

Windows Remote access makes that process more difficult.

But, I've got a few machines, where, for whatever reason, UltraVNC will connect but then the screen is hung. No idea what's up with that.

So, I deal with Windows RAS anyway.

But for local access, I +really+ like the logitech k400 keyboard.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=logitech+wireless+keyboard&num=50&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=YI1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnsuz&biw=1027&bih=760&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5795281899137600688&sa=X&ei=xdTQT8PXNKmY2wXN-_G-DA&ved=0CJMBEOUNMAA



it's wireless, has a built in touchpad, has great battery life, plus it can be turned off.

And it's small enough to tuck almost anywhere on a normal cab.

Nothing against VNC (it's a good product), but I would like to point out that all of that is possible with RD.  I use a Gamer and Admin account on my cabs.  The auto login is done on the Gamer account.  The admin stuff is done via the Admin account.  I have also installed a concurrent login patch to Windows to make it possible for the admin stuff to be done without killing the cab locally.

[Arimack]

Drventure -I agree that the remote keyboard is the simplest solution (I personally prefer the IOGear GKM561R on my HTPC).  And simplest is always the best way to go.  I just don't want to add to the cost of my build with another $45-$50, trying to stay on budget.  So I am pursuing a software/network option instead.

BTW I like the IOGear because it is one of the few wireless keyboards that a) had full size keys and b) you can operate the trackball/mouse keys with your thumbs while holding the keyboard.  Most of the others are set up so you have to either lay it on your lap to operate the touchpad or was remote control size with keys the size of my Blackberry keypad.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823176018&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Keyboards-_-IOGEAR-_-23176018&AID=10440897&PID=3722549&SID=

[drventure]

I haven't seen that Iogear keyboard. That looks pretty nice. I like the thumb trackball idea like that.

Using the touchpad on the Logitec works very nice, but it's not great to use if you have to hold the keyboard in both hands. THe iogear's layout would seem to work much better in that case.

Gotta bookmark that one!

@bkenobi
Wow, did not know that was possible. But yikes, just getting the patched termsvr.dll into place looks to be a pretty involved process.

Still, since vnc is giving me probs on a couple machines, I may just give it a whirl.

Thanks!

[bkenobi]

@bkenobi
Wow, did not know that was possible. But yikes, just getting the patched termsvr.dll into place looks to be a pretty involved process.

Still, since vnc is giving me probs on a couple machines, I may just give it a whirl.

Thanks!

Nope, the patched termsvr.dll is installed via an exe that was written by .... ummm...I forget.  I have it at home and can post it if you want it.  Anyway, you simply double click the installer and verify that you know it's going to do stuff.  I think you have to restart, but otherwise it works fine.  OH, the patch is for WinXP, so it may be more involved for Win7.

[drventure]

If you could find a link to that installed, that'd be great!

All I've been able to find are pages that describe manually installed the patch.

[Arimack]

@bkenobi
Any issue running RD from one Windows 7 machine to an XP machine?  Most of the computers in the house are Windows 7 but this cabinet will be Win XP, again to say money since I have four or five legitimate copies of XP lying around.  I have sometimes had issues running an XP machine on my largely Windows 7 home group network.  Have you experienced anything similar?

[drventure]

I can answer that. No probs at all. That's exactly how I control my cabs right now.

[bkenobi]

No problems with Windows versions.  My cabs and file server are WinXP and I can connect from Win7 laptop and desktop.  I was able to connect via WinXP before the desktop was upgraded without any configuration changes.  If you are connecting from Vista/2000/etc, I can't say from personal experience.

http://www.kood.org/terminal-server-patch/

[TheShaner]

How do most of you access your machine once built?  I am looking to begin my project and this is one of the issues I am looking at right now.

I am considering remote access (no keyboard set up on the machine itself) for general maintenance.  I know I will have to plan for keyboard access in an emergency but would like to do most of the work remotely.  I plan on having my cabinet on my home network and access it using a free program like Log Me In (https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/).  I have been using this successfully for a few years, mostly with family and friends to provide computer help when they have problems on their PCs. 

Has anyone tried this on their project?  Any other remote access options that have worked well?  Any feedback would be appreciated.

VNC or RDP they both work great.  RDP is already on the machine if you have windows xp+ and does everything you want it to do. 

I also have a mini bluetooth key also in case I want to control it at the terminal.  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=mini+bluetooth&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1667&bih=905&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5442695877788006968&sa=X&ei=KWHST5XLEIS62wXzwOSRDw&ved=0CL8BEPMCMAc.  This way you dont have any wires sticking off of your cab.