How can I share files with another PC?

[tonysolomon]

My friend lives in England and I live in America. We both have Windows XP. I have NIS 2003 and he has Mcafee. I'm wondering what the easiest way to get files from one of his folders is.
I know that unless we configure those programs to allow each other's IP address, then we could turn on the Windows firewall and disable the other firewall programs.

[sassie05]

Too large for email?

[tonysolomon]

My friend lives in England and I live in America. We both have Windows XP. I have NIS 2003 and he has Mcafee. I'm wondering what the easiest way to get files from one of his folders is.
I know that unless we configure those programs to allow each other's IP address, then we could turn on the Windows firewall and disable the other firewall programs.

Yes. It's about 30GB

[Sylvander]

I used to use "MSN Messenger" [could be used to transfer one file at a time] to establish a connection to another PC in Oregon, then run "Netmeeting".
Then the other person could grant control of their PC and I was able to transfer a whole list of files from my PC to the other.
I was then able to install programs on the other PC.
The only thing I couldn't control was the firewall.

More recently I've been using this file hosting site (http://www.verzend.be/).
Just recently zipped up a list of jpg photo files in an archive and uploaded the zip file to the website and sent an email including a link to that file to the intended recipient.
The site can host a number of files, each of which can be a maximum of 1 GB, and will be hosted for 7 days.

[HomeSA]

I haven't used it myself, but a few people I know use the below "file hosing site."
http://www.yousendit.com/

[tonysolomon]

I want to thank everyone for the responses. I'm trying to use remote desktop to help this friend. I think it allows me to copy files. I'm going to have him replace Mcafee with NIS, so that I can allow my IP address into his firewall. I don't know how to do it in Mcafee.

Today, I tried it, but I couldn't get in. I had him disable Mcafee and turn on the Windows firewall, but it didn't help. I'm not sure if he has a dynamic IP address, so I'll ask him tomorrow. Does anyone know the most likely causes of this program not to work? Thanks.

[Sylvander]

With "Netmeeting", the same version had to be installed on both PC's.

I believe that some other "Remote Desktop" applications are more liberal and will work with other kinds versions of software.
Check your particular application to see what are its requirements.

A firewall could well be blocking the program.
Run without firewalls for a short time to if it makes any difference.

See Welcome to JustRemoteIT (http://www.justremoteit.co.uk/).

[Variable]

If there is a router in the mix then it is doing NAT. RDP won't work without a tcp port 3389 pinhole through the broadband firewall/routers. I would try Remote Assistance instead. Turn off the NIS bloatware and turn on Windows Firewall. NIS has a bad habit of not shutting down even if you tell it to. Be aware of that possibility.

Remote Assistance
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/remoteassist/intro.mspx

[tonysolomon]

What's the difference between the following?

windows messenger, msn messenger, .net messenger, & windows live messenger

I only ask, because remote assistance requires windows messenger.

I'd rather use remote desktop, but I think that you can use video chat with messenger.

Regarding remote desktop, how does my friend add me as a user? Should he create an administrator account for me, or can I just use his ID and password, even if he's logged onto that account?

This is the part that I am having trouble understanding:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/img/upl/image0131101823126610.jpg

[J__]

Looking at the screen shot, what version of Windows is that dialog coming from? I thought Remote Desktop only worked on WindowsXP. The dialog doesn't look very 'windows xpish', if you know what I mean. Is it Windows 2000? If so, that maybe one of the reasons why you cannot remote to him.

Game ain't over yet though, you he can remote to you, if he has Windows 2000 Remote desktop 'patch'. Found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx

Now, let me assume he is on XP like you. Here are a few settings that need to be considered.

1. In the control panel -> system on the 'Remote' tab, the check box "allow users to connect remotely to this computer' must be checked.

2. the port must be open for you to access on the firewall, which is i think TCP port 3389.

3. if your coming across teh internet you might need remote desktop 'web connection', as in my experience remote desktop you use in a LAN not over the internet. That software is an add-on, which can be installed from your Install disk I believe. ... or probably a download from MS.

hope that helps a little,
sincerely,
J__

[tonysolomon]

Thanks for the help. He does have XP. I got the screencapture from a web page. I think that number 3 is the only thing that I haven't tried to do, so I'll try that. Thanks, again.

[J__]

A few other comments.
First here's an article which might be helpful (maybe?)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/northrup_03may16.mspx

and here is where you can download it, if you can't find it on your disks
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdwebconn.mspx

additionally, I meant to mention this previously (sorry i was in hurry out the door) - do you have an account on your friends machine?

the reason hy i suggested this 'add-in' software is because the documentation states the user has to be in the domain or 'group' , so another thought might be that if your friend set up an account for you on his machine, then you might be able to get in that way - because then he would list you as a user on his machine. I'd try this before I do the web connection stuff.

what kind of errors have you gotten?

hope that helps,
sincerely,
J__