ricklbert
Moderator
If you have even some computer skills, you probably have been asked to “fix somebody’s computer”. Actually, the better you are with computers, the more people that ask you to fix their computer. This can be fine and usually straightforward if you have actual access to the computer… but it can be next to impossible when you have to do it to a remote computer. Many people think they can simply ask you to fix it over the phone, and you somehow have magical powers to know exactly what’s going on and how to fix it. This becomes especially difficult when they have no idea what they’re talking about.
“THE THING IN THE BACK ON THE THING ISN’T THERE AND I CAN’T CLICK IT TO MAKE THE THING POP UP.”
If they’re asking for help then you most likely have no chance in asking them to install a remote control software, log in to their computer, and then fix their computer. However, there’s a way to be able to both view AND control their computers remotely without them installing anything. All they need is a web browser and the ability to type in the URL you give them. Adobe’s ConnectNow at Acrobat.com is a godsend for all techies.
1. Visit Acrobat.com and click the box for ConnectNow.
2. If you don’t see the ConnectNow box, you may not have Flash installed. It requires the latest FlashPlayer, so install that from either the link they give you (assuming you don’t have it installed) or from the FlashPlayer website.
3. Hit “Begin” and create an account by pressing “Sign Up!” if you already do not have an account.
4. Log in with this account and you will be taken to a meeting room. When you first enter, you will be shown a link for others to join you. It’s usually like https://connectnow.acrobat.com/<name>.
5. Tell whoever you’re helping to open up their web browser and go to that link. It will ask them to log in or enter as guest - they can just enter their name and enter as guest.
6. Once they hit enter, you will be asked to confirm their entry - hit Accept.
7. Their name will now show up at the bottom. Click their icon and select “Ask this user to share their screen”.
8. Tell them to accept the popup that comes up for them. It will ask if they want to install the add-on, so say yes and let them install it. Once they do all of that, you will be able to see their screen.
9. At the bottom of their screen, there are 3 gray buttons that appear when you hover over the screen that you can use to “Request control of the user’s screen”. Press this and tell your friend to accept the request.
10. You now have control of their mouse and keyboard, so you can proceed to do your diagnostics and fix their computer.
11. To disconnect, press disconnect or simply close the browser window on either end.
Just note that certain key combinations, such as control+alt+delete won’t go through the remote control, so if you need to see task manager, your friend needs to press that on his own.
Acrobat.com’s ConnectNow has many other features that you should definitely sit down and play around with one day, such as voice and video conferencing, an online whiteboard, and more.
“THE THING IN THE BACK ON THE THING ISN’T THERE AND I CAN’T CLICK IT TO MAKE THE THING POP UP.”
If they’re asking for help then you most likely have no chance in asking them to install a remote control software, log in to their computer, and then fix their computer. However, there’s a way to be able to both view AND control their computers remotely without them installing anything. All they need is a web browser and the ability to type in the URL you give them. Adobe’s ConnectNow at Acrobat.com is a godsend for all techies.
1. Visit Acrobat.com and click the box for ConnectNow.
2. If you don’t see the ConnectNow box, you may not have Flash installed. It requires the latest FlashPlayer, so install that from either the link they give you (assuming you don’t have it installed) or from the FlashPlayer website.
3. Hit “Begin” and create an account by pressing “Sign Up!” if you already do not have an account.
4. Log in with this account and you will be taken to a meeting room. When you first enter, you will be shown a link for others to join you. It’s usually like https://connectnow.acrobat.com/<name>.
5. Tell whoever you’re helping to open up their web browser and go to that link. It will ask them to log in or enter as guest - they can just enter their name and enter as guest.
6. Once they hit enter, you will be asked to confirm their entry - hit Accept.
7. Their name will now show up at the bottom. Click their icon and select “Ask this user to share their screen”.
8. Tell them to accept the popup that comes up for them. It will ask if they want to install the add-on, so say yes and let them install it. Once they do all of that, you will be able to see their screen.
9. At the bottom of their screen, there are 3 gray buttons that appear when you hover over the screen that you can use to “Request control of the user’s screen”. Press this and tell your friend to accept the request.
10. You now have control of their mouse and keyboard, so you can proceed to do your diagnostics and fix their computer.
11. To disconnect, press disconnect or simply close the browser window on either end.
Just note that certain key combinations, such as control+alt+delete won’t go through the remote control, so if you need to see task manager, your friend needs to press that on his own.
Acrobat.com’s ConnectNow has many other features that you should definitely sit down and play around with one day, such as voice and video conferencing, an online whiteboard, and more.
