CrossLoop Remotely Controls Any Windows Or Mac PC

@Darthvinder: Good man! "Because you can....".

@sauronringlord12: Croos loop is idiot proof, simple as it can get.

adp113

@sauronringlord12: I take that back the website does indeed say its cross platform!

sauronringlord12

@enchantedgoose: Yes

adp113

@Chris Raimondi: It just seems to be built on VNC server, my AV keep pegging it as malware - it's not. I have used it for family help. Gone are the days when I got free dinner for doing pc work.

adp113

I personally use teamviewer!

[www.teamviewer.com]

not sure about cross platform but its dead simple to use and is portable

sauronringlord12

I just set it up between my Windows 7 laptop and XP box. I did not realize that there was a two minute timeout for a connection. Keep that in mind.

I want to try remotely controlling OS X from my Windows 7 virtual machine inside the same OS X. So unnecessary, and yet, so very, very necessary.

Hopefully this works at school... Everything Ive tried doesnt work and all VNC or remote desktop programs havent so far.

Chris Raimondi

could you remotely control a computer running windows 7 from a computer running XP or Vista? and visa versa

@enchantedgoose: Yes.
with Remote Desktop.
i'm doing it RIIIIIGHT NOW. TRIPPY

enderx

I've used cross loop... and it's okay but the latest one that I've been using which isn't too bad is ShowMyPC which I think is pretty good software overall

@Keith Sauer: You don't have to sign up for any account. Just download it and run it.
I've used crossloop on multiple occasions after I first learned about it here and it is definitely a very handy tool for assisting someone who has no idea how to forward ports through their firewall.

GldRush98

@joebadmo: Lol I was just about to ask if anyone knew the best remote desktop application that also comes in ipod touch app form.

Any wise lifehackers out there know the answer to this?

Well crossloop does work, but try to get a family member who knows nothing about computers to "sign up" for the account.... boy what an adventure getting e-mail address and looking for a confirmation..

I personally use aammyy admin. Nothing to sign up, easier to explain to the n00bs. Try it. [www.ammyy.com]

Keith Sauer

You know, an iPhone/iPod touch app would really make this for me.

joebadmo

It's like a virus except you want to install it ;)

@nad: I do the same thing for my "clients" but I have a feeling CrossLoop is more for the instant support model (Much like LogMeIn Rescue) rather than installing a tray-based app to always provide remote access. But yeah, I do the same thing. Up to about 19 different PCs under my watch. LOL

@sauronringlord12: Agreed. TeamViewer doesn't require a sign up, which is a hassle and an extra step. Plus, the TeamViewer's latest build (4.2, I believe) is rock-solid and I prefer to have more features than less.

Finally! A Mac version! I have been waiting for this for so long: I take my Air to the office (a windows shop) because its basically a Unix box, but when external people ask me to help them remotely i've been stuck because Crossloop only had a windows client (ok, i was getting around that by using XP Pro x64 on Fusion) but now I can use a native Mac client! Wooot! (I'm such a geek....)

gmerin

@Jesus A. Torres: I would also be curious if anyone has ever used the Helper accounts.

@wewillchange wants you to @trackswine: Vista to XP had no timeout for me on the first try. I'm not sure what issue you are having, but it doesn't seem to relate to CrossLoop.

Anyone have any experience w/ their Helper accounts? Worth the time?

Jesus A. Torres

Personally I love Windows Live Mesh ever since the Tech Preview (currently in beta)

Verdi R-D

@sauronringlord12: Yea, teamviewer is great. I use it to fix my friend's computers. =D

meow-mixer

@ nad:

You know they can grant you administrative access to their account FROM their account right?
Giving one person access to your account that controls several people's computers is kind of risky. ;-)

CoHPhasor

@Chris Raimondi: Took me a while to get VNC set up. Make sure you're port forwarded. To see how/to test, go to portforward.com.

meow-mixer

@sauronringlord12:I agree, I love TeamViewer. The only peeve I have with it is its lack of sound support. AFAIK only LogMeIn supports sound. Once TeamViewer implements this, it will have my 100% backing.

I've been using ShowMyPC for cross platform. Just a java based vnc. No install needed. Basic but works ok. I'll have to give this a try.

felixgolden

For cross platform I've been using logmein. I can see the advantage of CrossLoop when you're trying to help a noob. BUT:

With logmein I have all the people who I help listed under one account. When I log in, I see their computers. (I change my password while they add their computer to my account, and then change it back again)

I can control a Mac from a PC and a PC from a Mac. It's snappy too.

@sauronringlord12: For business use, teamviewer is a little pricey. No denying its really great software.

I couldn't get the $ approved for my company, so CrossLoop is perfect.

So is team viewer! and if you are helping a family member/client all they have to do is run the app, no install required! All they have to do is provide a simple password and you are connected! Crossloop is good don't get me wrong just not my flavor of choice!

sauronringlord12

Team Viewer is better. Really.

WayneHennessy

@Midknyte: Thanks for that. I will be using this tomorrow to help a friend.
-Carrie

I use this program alot to help my mom out, I'm not super techy, so I appreciate the dead simplicity. It's great that they are adding mac support.

@sauronringlord12: Crossloop doesn't REQUIRE an account. You can just skip it.

I use both, plus other apps like Hamachi. More options = good

Midknyte

Here's a quickie guide to Crossloop. Some of the labels have changed, but it's basically the same.

[www.howtogeek.com]

Midknyte

@anamika: Crossloop doesn't REQUIRE an account.

Midknyte

I think TeamViewer is a better option. They don't require you to sign-up for an account.

anamika

@adp113: Yeah, it doesn't seem that great. Team viewer really is better.

rabiddachshund

Do I need to mess with a firewall for crossloop or teamviewer?? I can't do it at work. for some reason we have two routers and I jsut can't figure them out what so ever!

enderx

@WayneHennessy: I couldn't agree more. Team Viewer is great - I use it all the time.

Brian Schwartz

@Shandog:

logmein has a tool for the iPod touch.
[is.gd]

@Keith Sauer: Is there any concern that aammyy admin is from Russia?

TheFu

Teamviewer FTW!

Luke Thibodeau

@Verdi R-D: Agreed. I've been using a combination of that and Live Sync between my machines and it's worked awesomely. I don't have any Macs, however, so I can't vouch for how well it works on there.

Andrew Mussey

@Darthvinder: This is perhaps more dangerous than that Hadron Collider. Your Mac is seconds away from becoming a worm hole. Or dividing by zero.

Andrew Mussey

[www.yuuguu.com]

love it, cross platform, easy to use.

@adp113: i concur. i once use crossloop to try to help my son but the av keeps popping up saying it's a trojan.

i have to resort to logmein.

This is what I use to help my parents and it works well. You can just skip the sign up for an account part.

My only beef is that it disconnects every time I encounter an User Account Control notice on their computer. I wonder if TeamViewer does that?

gpzbc

This is the third post about crossloop. Lame. Get some new stuff.

Carsten Knobloch

@Bryan: thanks, i'll check it out!

I use Remote Desktop every day to connect from XP to XP, is there something CrossLoop can do better that I should be looking at or is it pretty much the same given my situation?

Jake712

I am not pretty sure about CrossLoop, but I have been using Team Viewer for few year, and I am happy with it.

smith134

@Keith Sauer: I got my father setup with Crossloop and he's probably the most non-tech savvy person on the planet. He skipped the account setup and we were rolling in just a few minutes. I used it to setup Skype for him so he's getting there little by little.

@Shandog: I've never tried it but I hear Mocha VNC is nice as well.

@wewillchange wants you to @trackswine: Crossloop has a two minute timeout after the remote computer initiates the connection for you to connect on your end. After the connection is made, you stay connected for as long as you need.

i am using teamviewer too, nice program..

How does this compare with Logmein?

MMcNasby

i use teamviewer and have it automatically start with windows. Now I can connect to my computer and any of my files whenever for where-ever!!! I also use it when I an on networks that block content and proxy's. Teamviewer acts as a make-shift proxy server.

lowfry2006

Teamviewer is standalone , better than install,The only problem I have with teamviewer is on Vista when UAC is enabled it loses privs on whatever app kicked off the UAC prompt, so if it was explorer.exe then you cant do anything in windows

xillwillx

For doing tech support check out GoToAssist Express it works on PC and Mac and lets you buy day passes. Disclaimer: I work for the Citrix Online.

kiwiboyus

Hi Adam,
Would you consider checking out Mikogo?
It's cross-platform and allows you to invite up to 10 people to a screen sharing session. So it doubles up as an online meeting & web conferencing tool, as a well as a remote support app. No installation for participants/clients, and there is a portable version.
Drop by our site [www.mikogo.com] and let me know if you'd like more info.

Cheers!

Andrew Donnelly
The Mikogo Team
andrew(at)mikogo.com

andrewdmik

It looks nice, I don't know if it's better than Ammy admin though either. [www.ammyy.com] Ammy is no install also which make it nice. The UI of this one looks better though.

nwilliams

I used CrossLoop for at least a year and then it mysteriously stopped working. (I suspect incompatibility with a new desktop theme.) Switched to TeamViewer and it works like a charm!

NadaCyzicus

@adp113: What AV would that be?

@WayneHennessy: CrossLoop is Team Viewer with an uglier GUI and less functions.

Your clients DON'T have to sign up for an account at all. Tell them to SKIP the login/sign-up for an account window and to just read you the pass code. Easy. I've been using Crossloop for at least a year now to help clientS with their computer problems. It is very easy for the client to use - that is the big plus. You can also use it to transfer files to and from.

I've used Crossloop for a while, and have been waiting for a Mac version, so thanks! With the versions I use, which might be a couple behind current, it does prompt you to sign up for an account, but if you X out hat box you can get right to the program anonymously.

I use Crossloop for all my remote tech support.

I've been using UltraVNC and VNC before that for years. I've got many customers set up via port forwarding. If I need more security I just vnc over vpn. Works to remote into my Mac at home too. Has file transfer capability too. I use UltraVNC singleclick for customers I don't know (and don't know me) No install required and no router configuration needed.

BlancheKisser

Great alternative. Plus, I haven't tried TeamViewer so thanks for the great suggestions.

Previously for Macs, I've used Chicken of the VNC/Vine coupled with Hamachi for tunnel (I find setting up SSH overly complicated in terms of port forwarding to help end users).

On Windows Just Hamachi Tunnel with RDP or VNC.

I used to live by LogMeIn until they took away the free ITReach.

Thanks!

hakujin1

Thanks, but no.
Installing programms on osx is a NoGo for me. They are untrustworthy. Teamviewer runs as an app, so it shouldnt' be a problem on this end.

Tempura

@CoHPhasor: Exactly,, but then he loses the argument for Logmein's nifty consolidation feature. If I were doing pc tech support for people, I'd NEVER give out my logmein login. Every time you do, you'd be compromising every one of your other customers inc. yourself.

hakujin1

@nad: Logmein's achilles heel is, it's not really free. After a trial period, you LogMein IT Reach in order to troubleshoot a remote PC w/ the software installed. The only option is to give them your own logmein account info and that's unacceptable.

hakujin1

This article poped up on my reader last night as I was fighting with windows remote assistance. Myself and my friend were both behind firewalls, and routers. Windows remote kept falling on it's face, but crossloop connected on the first try. Very easy to ues, only one ad pop up when you end a remote session. I'm sold on it.

Miwo_Tech

A Mac PC?

@Keith Sauer You don't need to create an account (my non-technical collegue could even work with it) and Crossloop can also be used on Linux, using wine.

BaronAcastus

I use VNC (many flavors) and hamachi (free, but not open-source) for a wide variety of remote access solutions and it works great...on Windows, Apple, AND Linux. BTW, crossloop runs under WINE.

ErrolCadmus

Teamviewer is great since it doesn't require you to install the software on the remote computer. The user just downloads the exe and runs it.

SumanaEfreisone

if you just download the app from logmein they can use that to install and dont have to use your act (i keep mine on filedropper)

KelseyRhesus

I'm a frequent user of CroosLoop. I don't think you really need to an account to use it. Just x out of the first window where it ask for your user name and password. You will then see the window displaying the computer name and access code.

Miguel Cornejo

@JadeEmperor: Would you be using VIPRE? I get that all the time with TightVNC...

torque2k

@WayneHennessy: I agree, teamviewer is great, but it's got a ridiculous pricing structure: Lifetime license $699, lifetime premium license $1399. what? and yes, I know it's free for non-commercial use. Unfortunately I'm considered a commercial user.

Also, the girl on their website kinda creeps me out.

ispytodd

@WayneHennessy: Yep! TeamViewer all the way. No account needed. VERY easy for those untechsavvy folk.
--bp

Hello guys, I am a helper on crossloop.com and the service is great...

here is a youtube video I have made to walk people through the use of it..

I made the tutorial very simple so that anyone can follow it...

+ Watch video

and check out my profile on crossloop here
wwww.crossloop.com/kennys

kennys2009

nobody mentioned about linux remote access.
I've been using the FreeNX: [www.nomachine.com]
you need to install it on the remote machine. It's secure and once installed it's pretty easy to use it, the client is cross platform.
there's also a community version:
[freenx.berlios.de]

Vajk

@WayneHennessy: I've been using Crossloop for a while now and it's been nice but I just tried out TeamViewer and I am tempted to make the switch.

My only hold up is the pricing. I would be using it for freelance tech support so to be within the licensing terms, I would have to pay.

Brad

i used to use crossloop all the time!

DudeMG

@WayneHennessy: +1. I used to be a CrossLoop user but I started having all sorts of problems with it. Since I moved to TeamViewer - GONE! I lurve it.

Crossloop is for helping newbs, as well put :P
Uses vnc in the background.

jeez i've been using this forever. :D I never found one so user friendly for those who dont know what the crap they are doing.

@fosphen: cheers mate, I'll have a look at that too!

@CapitalC: I do tech support to family and friends, so TeamViewer works perfectly for me.

You can find a portable version of crossloop at www.portable.lococobra.com/ I put it on a flash drive I gave my brother for Christmas. When ever he has a problem on his PC, mom's or any other Windows machine all he has to do is plug in the drive & click crossloop.