Virtual Box

[legend_018]

Other than remoting into my laptop at home, I was looking for a way to work remotely. Example: When I'm hanging at my dads house. I read and tried a few things. This finally ended up being the easiest to setup. However, the host machine has to have enough memory to run it. That's the only downfall. I need to be able to run cisco vpn client and also run pcanywhere, vnc, and remote desktop. I also need internet explorer for the database login application we use to log calls.

So I found and downloaded portable virtual box, installed windows xp on it, and installed all my apps ect. Running everything from my external harddrive. I would of used my flash drive - but 8 gigs just isn't enough to do all this. Would anyone do anything different?

I tried linux puppy bootup on my flash drive - but time consuming trying to figure out how to install all these things - plus I NEED the cisco vpn client. I could of tried wine I suppose, but I never tried it before and it would of taking some time to figure everything out. I tried just finding portable apps for cisco vpn, pcanywhere - but they don't seem to be out there yet.

[EzyStvy]

Is there a question burried in there somewhere?

[legend_018]

Any other ideas that would accomplish what I was looking for? In case I forgot something.

[EzyStvy]

hmmmmm. You have a LAPTOP at home....And want to be able to work from home anywhere in the world without taking your LAPTOP with you.

Have you ever considered taking your LAPTOP with you

[legend_018]

The last time I had to work at my dads, I couldn't get his internet to work on my laptop. I know it makes no sense and yes, I powered down his modem, shut his machine off - plugged it into my laptop - and started my laptop up. Can't remember the details - but couldn't get it working. I gave up since I had to contact my customer and couldn't fiddle around with trying to get his internet working with my laptop.

I'd hate to do that with every remote location I'm at. LOL

[EzyStvy]

Finding a pc with working USB ports could be a challenge too from time to time

How slow is VirtualBox on an external drive?

But it still sounds like you've reinvented the wheel... Do you also stand around internet cafe's and borrow people computers... Or is all a pretty rare that you need to borrow someone else computer to do your work?

Be sure and scan the heck out of any machine so you don't infect any of your clients...

[legend_018]

It will pretty much be when I'm at my moms or dads or my inlaws. I'm sure the remote control into my laptop at home "if I keep it at home" will work out the best. I was just looking for an alternative method.

i've only tested virtual box on my laptop and on my husbands laptop. I just plugged in my external harddrive on his machine and started the portable virtualbox on it. Seem to work ok. Tried it on my daughters old computer I setup for her - but it said there wasn't enough memory on the host machine to run it. My biggest problem is the resolution. It lets me change it, but it's the up and down view that gets messed up. I have to keep hitting the right ALT key to get out and scroll down or back up again.

I can't use someone else computer unless I can remote into my machine at home where I have everything I need on it.

[Hpro]

Hello

I think the best for you is to use RDP = Remote Desktop Protocol

It is most easy of use and you can even use a regular Modem if you have enough time to wait while files etc are loading.

If your Dad/Moms home or other places have Internet access by ADSL or VDSL, Cable or likewise then it's a very good thing to use. By a regular Tel Modem it will be a little bit slow, but not impossible.

At least Windows XP or Equal should be used because - "Win 9x and Win2k - usually do not Support this"- and it is quite difficult to get it work under those OS's.
Therefore WinXP must be installed on the REMOTE HOST this means the Computer which is at your home.

Remote Access has to be enabled in System Properties under the TAB REMOTE. Passwords must be set for the Remote USER. If this is Your Account and you use an empty Password then, you will not be able to connect.

Modem or ADSL Cable VDSL has to be configured to let the Port 3389 PASS the same counts for an eventually Firewall.

A FIX Ip Address is very helpfull as you then just input the IP of your Router to access your Compputer at home. If you have Dynamic IP - then someone needs to find out the current IP address of your computer at home e.g Current IP Check - and telling you the current IP address by Phone or likewise
Further NAT has to be set in the ADSL or whatever modem for the Computer on the opposite of the WAN. Meaning the LAN side.

The computer which is the HOST at your home doesn't need to be a Speed Machine with lots of RAM - a PC with say 512mb will work like a champ.

Your laptop can use almost any OS which supports MSTSC.EXE = Microsoft Terminal Remote Desktop Connection. You even could use an iPhone with RDP.

After you connect you actually work on your computer at home and have all Permissions which you would have sitting in front of your Desktop/Laptop or whatever. You will not need the Virtual Box any more.

The only one thing - it would be good when you could connect with the build in NIC of the CLIENT you use.

You will not need to carry around a computer anymore. By configure the RDP protocol prior to Connect - it is possible that you print copy date to the place where you actually are - from the HOST. A USB stick is the only thing you need ot copy data forth and Back between Host and client.

Client can be any computer with MSTSC.EXE or likewise installed. You can use it from Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux iPhone and more.

So if the Client has MSTSC.exe installed you would TYPE at RUN command MSTSC enter then enter the IP address configuring the Options like Printer Droves and Ports and then you could connect.The otherway of connect is you could use this strinf from the RUN Command at the Client:

mstsc /v: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx /console - enter those xxx stand for the IP address.

Hope this helps and answers your question

Regards
Hpro

[legend_018]

I actually didn't try that - I did try vnc and had problems/errors from my dads house and I gave up on that one. I use teamviewer which is actually pretty nice sometimes.

[brianb]

I have one computer setup with everything I need, and then when I am out, I use RDP to connect to it. It's easier to me than trying to carry everything around.

[Force Flow]

logmein.com is probably one of the easiest ways to remotely access a computer these days.

[Hpro]

Originally Posted by legend_018 I actually didn't try that - I did try vnc and had problems/errors from my dads house and I gave up on that one. I use teamviewer which is actually pretty nice sometimes.

It isn't VNC it's RDP and it is the most easy to configure.
I travel a lot and always use this, as you can use it from anywhere of the world.

VNC = Virtual NETWORK CONNECTION
RDP = Remote Desktop Protocol

Anyway hope you can figure out what fits best.. have a nice Weekend

hpro

[legend_018]

Originally Posted by Force Flow logmein.com is probably one of the easiest ways to remotely access a computer these days.

That's the firefox plug in right? I did download that and tried it on another computer in the house. My dad doesn't use firefox and I think you have to have the plug in installed on both sides. there was something about it that I didn't think we do the trick. I'm happy with teamviewer and the new virtual box xp setup I setup on my external harddrive. Nice to hear about other ideas and what works good for others.

[glc]

No, logmein.com can be used with ANY browser. You create an account and download and install the software on the computer you want to access remotely. Then, to access that computer from ANY other computer, you go to the logmein.com website and log in with your username and password.