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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Can't get connection with Timbuktu Pro

RonnieS - Aug 28, 2006 - 2:33 pm

I have been trying to use Timbuktu Pro to connect with my father's Mac (3000 miles away) and a few other Mac users that I support and I can't get a connection. It used to work well when I had a DSL connection, but since I relocated and switched to high speed cable, I haven't been able to connect at all.

My wife and I have a small business with 3 Macs and a printer set up on an Ethernet network. We share the internet connection. We do not have a static IP address.
I have set up port forwarding on the router to port 407 and adjusted my Firewall settings to allow communications for Timbuktu.

I am able to connect to Netopia's server (timbuktu.netopia.com) and to my wife's computer locally, but I cannot connect outside my local network and no one can connect to me.I get the message "person is not responding".

I should add that I've been trying to solve this problem for more than a year. I even upgraded my Timbuktu and my father's copy as well. I considered switching to Apple Remote Desktop, but I suspect the problem is not due to software.


Here's my setup:

Mac g5 dual 2 GHz
2.5 GB RAM
OSX 10.4.7
2 500 GB Firewire Hard Drives
Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router F5D8230-4
Comcast Cable Modem (SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA DPC2100 Series)

Any solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Ronnie Sampson

vinko - Aug 29, 2006 - 4:27 am

Hi Ronnie,

My name is Vinko and I will attempt to assist you.

Actually I have a similar support arrangement with many of my Mac user friends around the Asia region. I currently support 6 of them spread out through out Asia pacific, with one of them travelling all the time to various different locations around the world.

My solution is all free. I had used Timbuktu before in the 80's, but had not touch it since Mac OS X.

The solution utilize the built in Apple Remote Desktop server that each Macintosh has already installed in Mac OS X.

Then I use the free "Chicken of the VNC as the VNC console to access these Macintosh giving myself full access to their desktop and depending on the individual Mac's Apple Remote Desktop configuration, also have full access to delete, create and restart the Mac remotely.

Most of the set up are done within the Apple Remote Desktop item within the Sharing preference of the Slave (target) Mac. You access these settings from:

• Sharing preference --> Services pane


• from the list of services, check and highlight the "Apple Remote Desktop" item


• the items on the right of the list will change


• check the "Show status in menu bar" checkbox


• click on the "Access Privileges..." button to bring up the Apple Remote settings


• Check all th accounts that you want to allow remote access to on the Slave Mac


• on the right of the Users List, you will see a bunch of functions you will allow the Master Mac have access to. Check what ever you feel comfortable and require to. Of course, "Observe" and all sub options are most likely required by all users


• Check the "VNC viewers may control screen with password:" checkbox. Plus enter a password, you will need this password for Chicken of the VNC on your Master Mac later

Now you can commit the changes by clicking on the OK button.

Now on your Master Mac, you should have downloaded and installed Chicken of the VNC. I will use "Chicken" for short.

Within Chicken do the following:

• Select the Open Connection... menu item from the Connection menu


• In the resulting VNC login window, click on the "+" sign under list list of Servers


• Given the server a name that makes sense. For example, "My Dad's Mac"


• In the Host field on the right, enter the IP address of your father's Mac at the time. Assuming that that Slave Mac does not have a dedicated IP address


• Leave the Display field as "0"


• Enter into the Password filed the password that you made up on the Slave Mac


• Leave the rest as default


• Click on the Connect button


Your Master Mac should now be connected to the Slave Mac and you should be able to see and control the Slave Mac from your Master Mac. The user at the Slave Mac will see a box around the binoculars icon in his menu bar. The "box" around the icon, indicate to the user on the Slave Mac that he is being watched.

This set up also allows you to send messages and files from the Master Mac to the Slave Mac.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

-- Vinko

Thank you for using MacOSX.Com's free Mac support.

RonnieS - Aug 30, 2006 - 1:54 pm

Hello Vinko,
Thanks for the lead on Chicken of the VNC. I haven't had a chance to try it with my father's computer, but it's working great here locally. I will try a remote connection later this week and expect that it will work as you described.
I really appreciate the detailed instructions.

Ronnie