Remotely accessing computer on network
 

I brought home an old computer from our vacation place (we're selling it). I'm planning to just hook it directly into another computer with a piece of network cable. How would I got about accessing that computer using the computer that it's hooked into? To simplify, I'm hooking B into A so that B can act as a file dump, folder, etc. How can I get it so that I can get into B through A? Do I need to get one of those programs like GoToMyPC, or is there an easier/better way?

What Operating System?

If both are windows, you can simply use the sharing built into windows, as long as both have ethernet cards, and you have a crossover cable, or a hub/switch and 2 cables.

Both are XP, so I guess once I get the cable I'll google some guides. :)

You'll probably just want to use VNC of some variety. My favorite is TightVNC. Google for it, it's really easy to use/install. Just install the server on your "remote" system (installing it as a service is nice since so it stays up even at the login screen). Then run the viewer from your client, put in the IP address of your "remote" system, and voila! Remote desktop.

tightvnc is good....
of course I will always suggest ssh first and formost...but you have to be difficult and not use linux :P
I remember someone was once telling about something called nx that he called supperior to vnc but I don't remember if it was crossplatform or not...

tight vnc is good, i run it on a p2 333 (xp) and it chugs away.

Are the two computers phisically in the same place? Sounds like they are. In which case, you really don't need a remote access software like VNC for file transfer. If both machines are on the same physical network in the same office, you can get a hub or switch, then, turn on File and Print Sharing on the target, and you can access the shared files on the machine from the other.

So, machine B get file and print sharing turned on, and machine a can access shared files on it via My Network places on machine A. You'll need to do some TCP/IP setup to get this to work if you don't have a local router (cable router, maybe).

Now, if you don't have a hub or switch, you can setup a machine to machine link with ethernet directly. Goto your local shop and get a crosspatch cable (and you have to make sure that it says crosspatch). Hook the ethernet into the two machines, then setup one with an Ip address like 192.168.1.1, and the other with an address like 192.168.1.2. Then, you can connect IP to IP, after turning on the file and print sharing (see above).

File sharing, assuming they are both physically close. By far the easiest and fastest way. Google for some guides.

However, since he's using windows, and probably doesn't want to pay for a KVM, there's no good way to actually operate the other machine without using something like VNC to get on the console.

Sounds like VNC is the way to go. Sorry about my non-linuxness, I'm gonna try to find time this summer to learn it. Too bad linux hates my wireless card...

They are literally right next to each other. But I don't have a hub or switch; I have a wireless router that's in another room.

This is what I was trying to do, kinda. I want B to access the interweb through A, and also have A operate B. Do I really need a special cable, or will any old ethernet cable do?

Eh, off to school.

Use a crossover cable.
It eliminates needing the hub/switch.

If you want to access internet thru A you need to turn on internet sharing on A.
To control B, the easiest way is using XP's built in Remote Desktop Connection found in Accessories in your menu.
You need to right click the My Computer icon on B and enable remote desktop in the Remote tab.

As A has wireless, you won't need to add another network to access the outside world.

A cleaner way would be to move just the pc case without monitor or k'board to an area near the wireless router and plug B into the router with a std network cable if the router has network ports too. It will lighten the load on A if you can do this as B can then access the web directly thru the router.

Best way to share B for storage is to Create a shared folder.

Got my NIC, and it came with a generic ethernet cable. I'm guessing that's why it's not working. Both computers say that the cable is unplugged, and I can't seem to get a windows network to work. Except for the remote PC. It let the wizard finish, but still complains of an unplugged cable. The store I was at had a piece of cat5e that specifically said "patch" on it, but I figured I didn't need it. Was I wrong? Or am I just networking impaired? :rolleyes:

Patch cable generally refers to a short cable used to 'patch' a floor or wall line into the switch and thus the network.

A crossover cable has one pair of wires reversed so that it acts as though a switch is in the middle of it.

Best way metioned yet. However if your just using it for storage how bout taking the drive out of the old machine and put it in your primary machine. (assuming you have space). Plus you utilize more of the drive since you won't need an OS installed.

I'm also using it for folding (or will, once I get this mess all sorted).

If your wireless router has an ethernet port put B next to it. Then turn sharing on in "properties" on the HD in box B. Use the wizard to set up a new connection and viola, there you go. Unless you don't have room next to the router or want cat5 for speed..And you would have to set a nice long login password on B to prevent hacking from the internet through your router. (I think) That depends on how paranoid you are I guess.