Is there a way to send KeyStrokes to a PC over a network?

[allroy1975]

here's the deal.  I built my dad a Jukebox for his big new fancy house he just had built.  He's got the whole house wired up with a sound system, and we put the Jukebox on that.  Now, he's finding that he'd like to control the Jukebox (in the basement, on a wireless network) from his main PC (located in his office upstairs).  Both are XP systems and we could use the RDC that's built in...the problem with that is...after he takes control from the upstairs PC it messes with the sound, and also, the Juke doesn't have a keyboard hooked up to it, so there's no way to log back into it from down there.

I realise this is a pretty strange problem, but....the BYOAC community hasn't let me down yet.....

Can anyone recommend a good solution?

Thanks in advance,
Allroy

[leapinlew]

what are you using as a software frontend? Touchscreen? Would some sort of remote desktop or remote control software (PCAnywhere/VNC/etc.) work?

[Sensei]

Allroy,

I'm not sure if this is a solution for you but....

I have a server which is just a Windows2000 box with a massive RAID array attached to it.  It sits in a closet with no monitor, keyboard or mouse.
I have installed RealVNC Personal Edition on that computer.
Get it here:  http://www.realvnc.com/products/personal/

You leave the server portion of the software running on the computer you wish to remotely control.
On the controlling computer you run the viewing portion of the program.

To connect to the remote computer you simply put in the IP address of that computer (the server portion of the program on the remote computer will actually tell you the IP address if you need)....and click 'connect'.

Then on the computer you are sitting in front of, you have a window that is the screen of the remote computer.

You can if you wish log off of all the accounts on the remote computer and VNC will show you the log in screen.

Well, it works for me.

Just my $0.02 worth.
Good Luck

[leapinlew]

a IP based KVM solution would be an expensive way to get keystrokes and mouse movements across the network.

[allroy1975]

well, I'm running SK Juebox and a Keywiz.  After giving it a little more though, instead of doing RDC I could set up netmeeting to automatically accept remote calls.....that way it doesn't really mess with the host PC.  and as soon as you hang up the call the control all goes back to the host.  also, I could set an Escape button on the juke so in case he forgets and stays logged in just hit escape and you're back in control. 

I have no idea why I hadn't thought of this earlier, but you guys definatly sparked this idea...I think this is the best way to go.  We'll see when my dad tries to use it though. 

Allroy

[holdennut]

As Sensei said, RealVNC is the way to go. It gives you full control over the remote PC withought having to touch a thing on the remote PC. You can even send it CTR-ALT-DEL commands.

[StephenH]

http://www.cdadapter.com/pcplay.htm

It might be cool to use some jukebox wallboxes, and connect those to your PC.