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Hi,
Currently I have 4 computers in my office running AC. We shut down all the computers at the end of the day. My computer has the main AC.
How would I set up access to that computer from my home PC? The easiest way? Has anyone done this? I know I'll have to keep my office PC on.
Thanks

You would need to keep your main computer turned on.

I have found LogMeIn the easiest way to remotely log into the office computers. Search through the forum for a lot of information about it as well as other options, but...

There are free and paid versions. The paid version includes the ability to print and transfer files. Free version is more than adequate for basic remote access.

You download the program from the site and create a login with the website. To access log into the website and click on your computer.

I actually have all of my computers connected to logmein since I am also the IT person and I can remotely monitor and repair issues.

Thanks, I will give it a try!

Thanks DoctorWAW, it works great!

You do not need to keep your computer on. LogMeIn let you turn on the computer from home. You just need to enable the LAN on your office computer under bios.

Can you explain that in more detail? How can logmein do anything if the computer is turned off?

"Wake on LAN" is a feature of LogMeIn. The support article details that you have to have a correct setting in your computer's BIOS, the preference needs to be enabled in LogMeIn options, and at least one computer must be left on on the network. I still could never get it to work.

I would add that you can selectively choose to upgrade to Pro where you want/need the additional functionality; it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing.

If you have multiple locations or multiple users, just choosing LogMeIn Central as a single upgrade offers some advantages without having to upgrade everything.

Even you turn off the computer it still has circuit standby using very small current, just like the TV, even you turn it off you will still see the LED light on. It allows you to turn the TV on again with a remote. You can try to see the back panel of a computer when it is off, you are likely able to see some light on.
In able to turn on a computer from home using Logmein you do need to leave your modem and router on. Make sure the LAN on your office computer under BIOS is enabled. When you log in to Logmein account at home you will see an green icon for you to turn it on. That's it. It works well for me so far.

I could never get the "Wake on LAN" feature to work, despite much trouble shooting, as I have an older computer that doesn't support this. That being said, logmein free still works great for me.

Your welcome

I can sometimes get the wake on lan to work in logmein, usually it does not though, even if turned on at the computer.

logmein is pretty awesome. I've used RWW and logmein. I like logmein the best, very easy to setup and very secure. I've been using the free version for years and gets me all the features I need.

We leave all our office computers on because the service performs updates, and sets the backsup and virus scans to run at night.

RWW is 10 times better than LogMeIn. RDP rocks! but not as secure as the others. But much faster unless you pay for Ignition.

If you have a server, I would agree w/ Bert that RWW is very awesome too.

I have to agree with Adam. I think it's awesome that you can turn on a computer from home, but leaving them on has a lot of advantages. Virus scans, updates, backups, etc. How do you back up your computer with everything on it if it isn't turned on.

Still pretty cool to LogMeIn and turn on a computer.

The other feature I like about logmein, is that you can perform an update, and RESTART the computer allowing the update to complete. You do not have the restart option under RWW. You can only log off that computer.

In case anyone has been thinking of getting it, LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone/iPad will be on sale for 33% off in the iTunes App Store starting at midnight tonight for 48 hours only.

There is an iPad App TeamViewer, it is free. Carried out an experiment, I could access AC on my iPad. First you need to Download and install TeamViewer on your main computer or any computer in the office you want to access.

Sachin

Hello, Everyone. It's been a long time since I've posted on the AC forums. I hope this post finds everyone doing very well.

A few replies, if I may:

1. Bert. I assume you are speaking of Remote Web Workplace when you say RWW, which is a feature of Small Business Server. I think it is very awesome that many here are using SBS as it is very cost effective. However, I must disagree on your assessment that RWW is not as secure as logmein. If your SBS is set up properly, you will be securing your RWW session over a 128-bit SSL encryption. Even if you use a self-signed cert, you are still utilizing 128-bit encryption.

2. LauerDO. You can restart or shutdown the computer you connect to using RWW (again, I assume Remote Web Workplace in SBS). You go to Start | Windows Security and the option is there.

3. I recommend leaving all computers on at night for the following reasons:

a. As Bert mentioned, updates via Microsoft Update.
b. As Bert mentioned, virus scans
c. When machines are shut down, they cool down and when booted back up the warm up. This constant expanding and contraction is addition wear and tear on the machine's innards. If you wish to save power, please use Windows' built in power saving features.

Thank you all,
JamesNT

Hi James,

Good to see you back. I can't completely agree with LMI being more secure than RWW. Given LMI has 256 but has the central connection (I think that can be changed with a setting) and RWW with its direct RDP connection computer to computer, it's a wash. They are both VERY secure unless there is a disgruntled employee at LMI.

While we are on the shutdown and restart subjects, here is a tip that can help when remoting in and not having access to the shutdowns.

You can right click on the desktop and choose new shortcut. In the field under Type the location of the item: enter the string:

%windir%\system32\shutdown.exe -r -t 01

Click next and give it a name like "Restart" Click Finish and you will have an icon on your desktop for restarting. You do not need the -t 01, but you can use it and substitute the amount of seconds before the restart begins.

Changing the "r" to "s" will give you a shutdown.