How to Send a Remote Assistance Request in XP

Windows XP allows users to send a Remote Assistance request to trusted parties.

Windows XP offers a Remote Assistance service that allows other XP users to render assistance via the Internet or another computer connected to the same network. This feature grants control of the computer with a problem to a more experienced user who may then perform the necessary tasks to troubleshoot the problems being experienced. The Remote Assistance request is sent via Windows Messenger, Outlook Express or initially saved as a file that is then transferred to the help computer via normal file transfer methods (USB, attachment, network shared folder and similar).

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Via Messenger

1. Open Windows Messenger and connect to your account.

2. Click on the "Tools" menu and choose "Ask for Remote Assistance."

3. Select one of the contacts from the contact list or enter the Windows Messenger email of the desired user.

4. Wait for the user to accept the help request.

5. Describe the problem in the chat box and press "Send."

6. Wait for the user to request to take control and press "Yes" in the dialogue box asking for permission to allow them to do so. The "expert" now has control of the computer and can perform the troubleshooting tasks required to fix the problem.

Via Outlook Express

1. Open the "Start" menu, scroll through the available programs and select "Remote Assistance."

2. Click "Invite someone to help you" in the "Help and Support Center" window.

3. Type the expert user's email in the Outlook Express email field and press "Invite this person."

4. Choose a password to protect the invitation notice and the length of time the invitation will remain valid. The password must be passed along to the user or they will not be able to access the Remote Assistance function.

5. Wait for the user to accept the invitation and initiate the Remote Assistance session.

6. Confirm that you want to start the Remote Assistance session when the dialogue box appears.

7. Describe the problem in the chat box and press "Send."

8. Wait for the user to request to take control and press "Yes" in the dialogue box asking for permission to allow them to do so. The expert user now has control of the computer and can perform the troubleshooting tasks required to fix the problem.

Via Invitation File

1. Open the "Start" menu, scroll through the available programs and select "Remote Assistance."

2. Click "Invite someone to help you" in the "Help and Support Center" window.

3. Click on the "Save invitation as a file" link.

4. Enter your name and the length of time until the invitation expires and press "Continue."

5. Enter a password to protect the invitation from misuse and press "Save Invitation." The password needs to be sent to the expert user or she will not be able to access the Remote Assistance interface.

6. Locate the saved invitation file. The file location is given in the dialogue box that appears after the file is saved.

7. Send the invitation file to the expert via your preferred method. The file may be sent as an email attachment, in a shared folder, on a USB memory stick or any other normal means of file transfer.

8. Wait for the user to initiate the Remote Assistance session and proceed as described in the previous sections.

Tips & Warnings

• Remote Assistance is allowed by default. To check the settings, double-click on the "System" icon in the "Control Panel" and click the "Remote" tab.

References

• Windows Networking: How to Use Remote Assistance in Windows XP
• Microsoft: Overview of Remote Assistance in Windows XP
• Microsoft: Step-by-Step Guide to Remote Assistance