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Accessing my PC with Remote Desktop

Since I purchased my Mac Powerbook, I have become very comfortable in Mac OS X Tiger; I now am using my Mac 90% to 95% but there are still a few things I must do in my old Windows PC. I thought about purchasing a KVM switch (keyboard, video, mouse) but I wasn’t sure if it would be the best choice when and if I utilized my Powerbook’s screen spanning feature with my external monitor.

Then I started to research Remote Desktop; as long as the “host” PC has Win XP pro installed, it can be accessed from any “client” Mac or PC running the Remote Desktop software. Since a free Mac download was available, I had nothing to lose.

I followed the instructions for Remote Desktop Standard on the DSL/Cable Webserver web page, editing the host System Properties. Note: There was no need to utilize Internet Information Services (IIS.)

[If links to instruction pages become broken, go to the main page http://www.dslwebserver.com/ and follow the links for step-by-step tutorials.]

Then I installed Remote Desktop for Mac and read through the next set of instructions on the DSL/Cable web server web page for better understanding of the client settings.

Noted Observations:

Because my Internet connection is utilized through a router, I had to punch a hole in the firewall security (Port Forwarding)…opening port 3389. I also had to adjust the software firewall running on my Windows PC to allow my Mac through.

For security, the port to access Remote Desktop can be altered, but I haven’t tried this.

While running Remote Desktop on my Mac, I can access all my Windows software and files, and at the same time, still retain access to all my Mac programs and files.

If the appropriate options are set (in the Mac Remote Desktop settings window,) printers and disk drives like a CD burner can be utilized as well. No problems with running Windows Update, virus/anti-spyware scans, and my Zone Alarm firewall.

I did notice the PC window color is a bit fuzzy, so Remote Desktop might not be the solution for someone that needs to access the PC for long periods of time. Since I only connect once or twice a week (sometimes less) so it is perfect for me.

[UPDATE] I recently attached an external monitor to my Powerbook and noticed the Remote Desktop window did not look fuzzy on the VGA display as it did on the Powerbook. I realized that because the Remote Desktop window was displaying at a lower resolution, the LCD will blur the contents of the window. Working on my external (Sony Trinitron) the window looks perfectly fine.

I don’t know if it is possible to drag or copy files from Windows to Mac (or vice verse) using Remote Desktop. I assume there is some sort of setting somewhere, but because I am not a big fan of ‘file sharing’ I probably won’t pursue this option. I rather save to CD or USB cards if I ever need to copy or move files.

Shutting down while using Remote Desktop is a little different. You cannot shut down or restart using the start button menu. I right-click on the taskbar, choose task manager, then click the shut-down link. The PC can be shut-down or restarted from this menu.

I have never regretted converting to a Mac and now that I can access my PC so easily while still working in my Powerbook, I know I have made the best decision to switch!

Other related links:

* http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/
* Life Hacker - Turning dual monitor PC into a Mac dual monitor system.
* Inside Samba – windows sharing for the Mac
* Get Windows Remote Desktop Client To Connect To localhost
* Providing Remote Desktop Access Through SSH on a Mac
* Geek.com – Your Desktop on the Go
* http://pure-mac.com/remote.html

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I’m very impressed with your writing skills and professionalism while relating to these advanced subjects.
Comment by Nathan on May 8th, 2006