remote desktop help needed

[Ar-Pharazon]

I want to use my PC to control the desktop of a second PC (same location). I have a crossover ethernet cable. I also have an FTP program I used for transferring files to a server a few years ago.
My PC has XP x64 and the second PC has Win2000 (also installed by me).

Can I use the FTP program to do simple file transfers to the second PC?
What do I need to do to be able to control the second PC fully from my PC?
I know I have to enable remote desktop access on the second PC, but the Win2000 machine only has LPT1: as an option for direct computer-computer connections. Is there another program I can install on the second PC to allow it to recognize the ethernet cable as an option? Or a program I can use on my PC that will work for this?

 

[zephramc]

For control of the remote system, you should be able to use Remote Desktop Connection. Make sure the terminal service is enabled (XP). On Win2K you may need to install this in "Add/Remove Programs". You can connect directly over your ethernet connection (make sure both computers have unique IP addresses).

As far as file transfers, you could use FTP, or simply create network file shares on the two Windows systems. Again as long as each system can see each other you can connect to network file shares, or connect to the default shares (e.g. C$). The FTP protocol will likely be faster though.

 

[Brian]

You could download something like RealVNC for desktop control over ethernet: http://www.realvnc.com/products/download.html

 

[GMac]

One of the VNC variants would do the job nicely - we use it at work for remote installs and helpdesk calls from users. For your file transfers, simply run the network setup wizard on the XP64 machine and create network shares on both machines.

GM

 

[Iasius]

You could download something like RealVNC for desktop control over ethernet: http://www.realvnc.com/products/download.html

Looking at the feature list of the free version, I'd recommend TightVNC over RealVNC. TightVNC has both file transfers and desktop scaling for example.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

With the VNCs, do I still need to enable remote desktop connection on the 2nd machine? If so, how do I get around it showing LPT1: as the only connection?
Or do I just install the VNC on both machines and that takes care of this problem?

 

[GMac]

The latter - VNC will do it all for you. Just make sure the you allow it through whatever firewall you're using on both PCs and that you start the VNC service on both upon install.

GM

 

[Brian]

With the VNCs, do I still need to enable remote desktop connection on the 2nd machine? If so, how do I get around it showing LPT1: as the only connection?
Or do I just install the VNC on both machines and that takes care of this problem?

You have to install VNC on all machines involved. On the remote machine it acts as a server. The machine you're controlling from is the client. It doesn't use the Windows remote desktop functionality (i.e., the LPT1 connection). It's a separate third party app that uses the ethernet.