For those that want a built-in way of supporting a friend or family member using Windows XP via Remote Assistance, this is how to do it.

Important note: It is far easier to use a service like LogMeIn which can be found elsewhere on PCMech (just search for LogMeIn in the search bar). But being that the person you’re trying to connect to may not have LogMeIn, this is an alternative means of remote connectivity.

Another important note: This is the “long way” of getting RA to work via means of an e-mail file attachment.

Step 1. Confirm XP is allowed to accept remote requests.

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Double-click System icon.
3. Single-click Remote tab.

You will see something similar to this:

If you are the computer being connected from, Allow Remote Assistance invitations must be checked.

If you are the computer being connected to, Allow users to connect remotely must be checked.

If you’re not sure which, check both.

When done click OK.

Step 2. Create an invitation from the computer you are connecting to.

Click Start then All Programs then Remote Assistance. This is directly off of the All Programs menu and not in a program group.

It looks similar to this:

At this point the Windows XP Help and Support Center will launch.

It will look similar to this:

Click Invite someone to help you.

You will then see something similar to this:

Scroll down and choose Save invitation as a file (Advanced)

You will then see a screen similar to this:

The name can be any name you want. It is recommended just to use your first name.

Below that you set your invitation expire time. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME DOING THIS and not very adept at computers, set the expiration to 3 hours instead of 1.

When finished click Continue.

You will then see a screen similar to this:

You can opt at this point to require the connecting party to enter in a password or not. It is recommended that you do, however bear in mind that the connecting party must know this password in order to connect. DO NOT use a password you use for other things (such as your e-mail or login to Windows). Use a custom unique password just for this Remote Assistance request.

When finished, click Save Invitation at the bottom.

You will be then prompted to save a file called RAInvitation.msrcincident. Save this file in a location that you will remember because you will need to e-mail it out shortly.

You will then see a screen similar to this:

Now you are ready to e-mail this file to the party you wish to connect remotely to your computer.

Step 3. E-Mail the invitation file to the computer you want to connect from.

We’ll say for the moment that you have a friend who is good at computers that has agreed to connect to your computer to help you.

Go into your e-mail (it doesn’t matter what kind) and compose a new message. Attach the RAInvitation.msrcincident file to this e-mail and send it.

Step 4. Double-click the received invitation file to establish a remote connection over the internet.

If you are the party that is connecting remotely to someone else, wait until you receive the invitation file, save it locally, then double-click it. That is all you need to do to request a remote connection.

For the computer that created the invitation file:

When an attempt is made by the person to remotely connect to your computer, a dialog box will appear asking you to approve it. If you take no action and/or do not approve the incoming connection, it will never take place. You MUST approve the request in order for the connecting party to see your desktop.

For the computer that is connecting via remote:

Yes, you can take control of someone’s desktop. However this requires you to click the “Take control” button once the connection is established and requires the other party to approve you a second time.

Common problems and issues with Remote Assistance

1. Slow

RA is nice because it’s free. But it’s also slow even if both parties have super-fast internet connections. The connecting party will experience choppy/jumpy graphics while screen draws/re-draws are happening. That’s just the way it is.

To note: LogMeIn is much more fluid in the way draw/re-draw is done.

2. May not work properly if originating computer is “overprotected”.

If the party that created the invitation has a computer that has Windows Firewall and a secondary software firewall running all at once, this may prove to be a challenge just to get connected via RA. The Windows Firewall is auto-configured to allow RA requests. But other firewalls are ordinarily not.

Granted, there is no such thing as too much protection, however when it comes to RA it can get in the way.

3. Yes, this is difficult.

RA is not easy and never has been. But once again it is free and requires no software installation from either party’s computers.