Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Remote Assistance — \windows\system32\rcimlby.exe -LaunchRA

Synopsis

Allow others to connect to your computer using Remote Desktop Connection.

To Open

Start → Programs → Remote Assistance

Command Prompt → rcimlby -LaunchRA

Description

Remote Assistance is a page in the Help and Support Center (discussed earlier in this chapter) that works with several other Windows components to allow another user to connect to your computer. The idea is that you would invite a technical support representative, a friend, or co-worker, to help you with a computer problem by allowing them to connect to your computer as though they were sitting in front of it (see Figure 4-75).

Figure 4-75. Use Remote Assistance to invite another person to connect to your computer with Remote Desktop Sharing

The first step involves inviting another user to connect. While it may seem like an unnecessary formality, it takes care of the very important step of transmitting your IP address to the other user. You can either use Windows Messenger (discussed later in this chapter) to send an instant message or Outlook Express (discussed earlier in this chapter) to send an email. Once the invitation has been received, that user will have enough information to connect to your computer via Remote Desktop Connection (discussed later in this chapter).

Notes

• Both users must be running Windows XP to use Remote Assistance.

• Remote Assistance ...