RE: Remote Assistance in Windows 2000

Is there a Remote Assistance client available for Windows 2000? I have a
Windows 2000 Pro machine and I need to remotely connect to a Windows XP
machine. Is this possible to accomplish using Remote Assistance?

I do not want to use Remote Desktop.

"Laurel Conrad" wrote:

> I have had an ongoing email "conversation" with MSN Messenger Tech Support
> all week. Their left hand obviously doesn't know what their right hand is
> doing!
>
> My first email to them:
> I would like to use the remote assistance feature in MSN Messenger but I
> can't find that "Activity". Secondly, can I use remote assistance from
> Windows2000 computers to Windows2000 computers? If not, is there still an
> option within NetMeeting to share desktops? Can I use NetMeeting from within
> MSN Messenger to take control of a Windows2000 machine?
>
> Their reply:
> According to your email, you want to use the remote assistance feature
> through the MSN messenger
> » Please follow these steps in the order they appear to help resolve this
> issue:
> 1. Sign in to MSN Messenger.
> 2. Double-click the name of the contact with whom you want to start the
> Remote Assistance session.
> 3. In the conversation window, click "Activities," and then click "Remote
> Assistance."
> A message inviting your contact to start Remote Assistance is sent to your
> contact. When your contact clicks "Accept," the session starts.
> 4. Click "Yes" to start the session.
> 5. To take control of the system, your contact clicks "Take Control."
> 6. To log out of this session, click "Disconnect."
> Note:
> The person who sends the invitation cannot take control. Only the person who
> receives the invitation has the option of taking control.
> Thanks again for contacting MSN Messenger Technical Support, and for your
> use of Microsoft products. Have a wonderful day.
> Best Regards,
>
> Since they didn't answer the question about using remote assistance on
> Win2K, I emailed them again. Here is their reply:
>
> Based on your email, you need to know if the "Remote Assistance" feature its
> available with Windows 2000.
> To use this feature, as well as to use NetMeeting, both computers must have
> Windows Messenger installed. Windows Messenger is included with Windows XP,
> and works in conjunction with MSN Messenger.
>
> Their next email was a link to Windows Messenger, which I downloaded. Then
> I sent them an email asking about how to use Remote Assistance behind a
> firewall. This is the beginning of the email I got:
>
> Based on the information I received, I understand that you would like to
> know how to use Remote Desktop Assistance behind a firewall. You mentioned
> that you are using PIX firewall and are using Windows 2000 Professional. I
> apologize if you had difficulty using this feature.
> Laurel, to be able to use Remote Desktop Assistance behind a firewall you
> have to open Port 3389 and you must have Windows XP. You can also experience
> difficulties if you or contact is behind a router.
>
> I emailed them and complained about their inconsistency. Here's the reply I
> just got:
>
> Laurel, I see you have been experiencing this issue for quite some time now.
> I apologize for the conflicting response that you received from my team
> mates; I realize this must be a confusing situation. Please know that I will
> help resolve this problem in the quickest way possible.
> Again, I apologize for the inconsistency; however, Alexander was correct
> when he said you cannot start Remote Assistance in Windows 2000. Moreover,
> to be able to use Remote Desktop Assistance behind a firewall you have to
> open Port 3389. You can also experience difficulties if you or contact is
> behind a router.
>
> NOW........Here is my dilemma......
>
> I installed Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger and Remote Assistance
> appears as an "activity" in MSN Messenger, however, I have not been able to
> test it for myself as yet because our network admin has been out sick and
> won't be back until next Friday (to open up port 3389). I'm kinda thinkin'
> that I WILL be able to use Remote Assistance or it wouldn't show up in my
> activities.
>
> Has anyone else been able to use Remote Assistance in Windows 2000?
>
>
>