Remote PC

[ef37a]

I have a (quite tasty in its day) 3G 6 core AMD Black PC languishing in a bedroom and would like to control it from this W10 laptop.

The desktop PC is about 3mtr away behind a single course brick wall and is W7 Home. I am not bothered about it being on the internet.

How do I proceed and what do I need for a wireless connection please? I could, if push came to shove, link with an ethernet cable.

Or, I have an i3 laptop also W7. Would that make things simpler?

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

Install a wifi card in the pc, connect it to your network, then install something like Team Viewer on both machines for the control side of things? Maybe?
It's likely to be a complete PITA though.
Almost certainly more hassle than just going upstairs.

[James Perrett]

You probably don't need any extra software - Windows already comes with Remote Desktop which works fine over a local network. As Drew says, you need a Wifi card or USB dongle and then you should have everything you need to get going.

[adrian_k]

I did this for a while and as surmised by Drew found myself just going upstairs to the other PC to do stuff sufficiently often to ditch the whole idea.

[MarkOne]

Windows already comes with Remote Desktop which works fine over a local network.

If I remember from setting this up a while ago for someone, only if you have the professional version of Windows, it’s not in the home build.

[ef37a]

Windows already comes with Remote Desktop which works fine over a local network.

If I remember from setting this up a while ago for someone, only if you have the professional version of Windows, it’s not in the home build.

Thank you Mark, I have discovered that I do indeed need W10 Pro to run Remote Desktop but it seems I have that on this Lenovo t510. The 'remote' machine does not have to have the Pro OS. The problem might be however if 'Ten will talk to Seven!'

"PITA" several of you say? Well in my 15+ years with computers I have had several people phone me and say "we have taken control of your computer" Then, they show it happening on countless spy movies! To quote the infallible Jezza "how hard can it be?"

Hah! The bedroom is actually on the same floor but has become something of a junk store, mainly speakers and other electronic do-dads. I also live on my own and don't need or want to heat that room. I shall have a dabble with networking it but if I hit a block I can have a bit of a revamp of stuff in my living room and extend mouse.kbd and monitor cables. I already have holes in the wall.

[Drew Stephenson]

"PITA" several of you say? Well in my 15+ years with computers I have had several people phone me and say "we have taken control of your computer" Then, they show it happening on countless spy movies! To quote the infallible Jezza "how hard can it be?"

Oh it's doable alright, but that doesn't mean it isn't a PITA!
You just have to go between rooms a few times while setting it up, and then do the whole thing again if you switch one of them off. So it really comes down to how you're going to use as to whether it'll be worthwhile.

[ef37a]

"PITA" several of you say? Well in my 15+ years with computers I have had several people phone me and say "we have taken control of your computer" Then, they show it happening on countless spy movies! To quote the infallible Jezza "how hard can it be?"

Oh it's doable alright, but that doesn't mean it isn't a PITA!
You just have to go between rooms a few times while setting it up, and then do the whole thing again if you switch one of them off. So it really comes down to how you're going to use as to whether it'll be worthwhile.

Drew, I was joking about the "fictional ease" with which computers are controlled!

But, things did not go well from first boot up. "Boot error. Reboot and insert correct boot media" WTF? Much searching on the net did not find a simple way to make a boot disc. Oh yes! Easy-peasey..."download the ISO boot file and burn to either disc or put on a USB drive" I can do that EXCEPT I cannot find a clean safe way to download the (**&^ing boot file! I thought I had one and stuck it in and the PC proceeded to install Ubuntu!

Next I tried the Windows 7 64 disc I bought when I built the desktop. Oooo! "Windows is loading files...blank, "Windows is starting". Never did. So next I remembered that you can make a repair disc with a W7 machine.

Long short, some 3 hours later W7 loaded and started up and all seemed tickety. I then hooked an ethernet cable to my router and internet worked...THEN Microsoft told me my OS copy was fake ! It is as I said the same disc I installed W7 from a few years ago! How can this be?

I am probably not going for full remote operation but would love to be able to access the spare 900G on the hard drive from my laptop?

Oh yes, at one point it seemed W7 was going to do a fresh install from the disc but then stalled because it said it could not find a hard drive. Do they get "stuck" if not spun up for months?
Dave.

[adrian_k]

I am probably not going for full remote operation but would love to be able to access the spare 900G on the hard drive from my laptop?

Could whip it out and stick it in a USB caddy? Something like this?
https://amzn.eu/d/5mqEBNU

[ef37a]

I am probably not going for full remote operation but would love to be able to access the spare 900G on the hard drive from my laptop?

Could whip it out and stick it in a USB caddy? Something like this?
https://amzn.eu/d/5mqEBNU

It's a "way" Adrian but seems a waste of a pretty fast computer with Samplitude Pro X 3 on it?

I have in fact been thinking of getting a HD caddy but want one of those types you just plug the drives into. I have collected a motley selection of HDDs over many years, some SATA some earlier and a couple of old laptop drives. I would like to look at what is on them before I destroy them.

I have been looking at 'legalizing' Win 7? WHAT a SNAFU! I might just live with the nagging. Due to the fairly good performance of the PC I would like to upgrade it to W10 (I doubt it would handle 11?) but I believe I need it to be Msoft kosher first?

Dave.

[adrian_k]

I am probably not going for full remote operation but would love to be able to access the spare 900G on the hard drive from my laptop?

Could whip it out and stick it in a USB caddy? Something like this?
https://amzn.eu/d/5mqEBNU

It's a "way" Adrian but seems a waste of a pretty fast computer with Samplitude Pro X 3 on it?

I’m probably missing something, but now scratching my head how you would use Samplitude remotely, where would the AI be?

[ef37a]

I am probably not going for full remote operation but would love to be able to access the spare 900G on the hard drive from my laptop?

Could whip it out and stick it in a USB caddy? Something like this?
https://amzn.eu/d/5mqEBNU

It's a "way" Adrian but seems a waste of a pretty fast computer with Samplitude Pro X 3 on it?

I’m probably missing something, but now scratching my head how you would use Samplitude remotely, where would the AI be?

Heck no mate! When son visits he will use Samplitude, keeps him off my laptop! Also, some time ago I would use the PC because it runs on a 22" FSTV and is easier on these old minces than a laptop. "Life" and prolonged spells of ill heath meant I have not fired the PC up in best part of a year.

I am now thinking of a remote screen and a wireless keyboard and mouse.

AI? The PC has the venerable but very good Delta 2496 in it. Pretty sure 3 or 4 mtr runs of unbalanced cable will be no problem, actually I shall probably link it to a mixer in the living room with an Ethernet cable.

Dave.

[The Elf]

Put me in the 'been there, done that; more trouble than it's worth' camp.

[James Perrett]

I've done this quite a few times but usually because the remote computer is somewhere that you wouldn't want to put a human - like inside an AUV pressure case or on a small robot car.

[ef37a]

Thank you Elf and James but I am not going to do it now!

I am going to run a VGA cable through the wall for a monitor and buy a wireless KBD and mouse. I would still like to access the system drive on my network if that is not too much hassle?

Oh and what is the best way to get W7 'legal'? (was for years) because I would like to upgrade to W10.
Dave.

[ef37a]

Fired the PC up an hour ago and got the 'ooofa' screen again and it wanting a boot file but before I could get the disc, screen blanked and "Windows Starting".

Thought to see if there are any updates but Firefox would not go on the net "PC time and date wrong"
Yup, button battery problem. Considerable fiddle but got it out and stole a CR2032 from a spare car fob( don't ask!) All put together and time and date set.

Firefox is now happy but Msoft cannot update "error 80072EFE" Does not seem deadly and there are a few fixes suggested.

The GOOD news is that so far Ms have NOT told me I have stolen software this time!

Getting there. Knackered now, time for a Bull and some telly.

Dave.

[ef37a]

Had a new thunk... Buy an SSD (W10 prefers them) diss' the existing 1TB spinner and install Ten on the SSD?
If it works reconnect the spinner and use it as storage/backup.

Just looked up SSDs.***t!I feel old. They have changed! Most look like memory sticks. They seem to be the cheapest option and I don't think I have a MOBO slot for one. Can I connect using a standard SATA power and data cable?

Still need to get Windows 10 of course.

Dave.

[James Perrett]

Something like this?

https://cpc.farnell.com/integral/inssd2 ... dp/CS31247

or if you want something larger with a decent reputation for reliability

https://cpc.farnell.com/samsung/mz-77e5 ... dp/CS34253

With the first one you'll have to order a few more bits if you want free postage but I'm sure you'll find something you need at CPC.

[ef37a]

Many thanks James. I think the £20 inc vat jobby will do me.
As for "more bits"? Heh! You would not believe the amount of electronic junk I have amassed in my drum over the years!

I don't know if I can put W10 onto a virgin drive or only upgrade an existing OS?
If the latter I suppose I could install W7 from my disc and upgrade that?

"Such fun"

Dave.

[illegal colors]

I don't know if I can put W10 onto a virgin drive or only upgrade an existing OS?

Few years ago I installed Free Windows 10 downloaded from Dell or Microsoft website on an old Dell computer with totally clean hard drive. Windows 10 did all the partitioning and formatting. As a license I only had Windows 7 sticker attached to the computer case and maybe didn’t need even that.
However, Windows 10 installation required BIOS upgrade.

[N i g e l]

https://uk.crucial.com/

Crucial are good for memories of all descriptions. They make the actual silicon chips.

I was expecting my last SSD order to come from East Kilbride but it came from [a reputable part of] Eastern Europe, which took a bit longer

[ef37a]

"
However, Windows 10 installation required BIOS upgrade."

Does it by crikey? I have just remembered. When Ms were touting the free 10 upgrade I put it on this PC...hated it (still do compared with 7 or XP!) and did the roll back the same day.
So, presumably, if 10 installed with the BIOS as it was then (I do not recall this EVER being mentioned?) it should work now?

Dave.