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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Chicken of the Vnc Connections to Pc And Mac

Sloth - Jun 5, 2005 - 11:13 pm

Okay, I had the connection open to my PC from my Mac when I first opened the VNC connection window. I closed it, but I didn't save the settings. How do I connect to the PC again? I am able to connect, however, from my PC to my mac simply by typing in the Mac's ip address. I try to do the same with my Mac but it does not, one, recognize the ip address for the PC, or two, it does not recognize the PC password. If I forgot the password to get into the PC how do I find it or reset it? Also, I would like to access my fathers Mac over the internet. How do you go about doing that? I have my father's ip address and password, but I imagine I need more than that. I have looked on various websites and so far have not been able to find anything useful for a beginner like myself. There is also the issue of tunnels and security which are above me at the moment.

I would appreciate the input.

Jack

nhmac - Jun 6, 2005 - 10:16 pm

OK, I am a somewhat of a beginner on VNC too, but since no one has answered this yet, I will try to be of some assistance.

This may depend on the exact VNC program, but it seems to me you might have to relaunch the VNC on the PC. With the program I was using last time I did this between PC & Mac (vnc-4_1_1-x86_win32.zip), that would generate a new password, you put the new password in on the Mac side, and there you are.

For accessing your father's Mac, I did this with my Mom, using a program called Share My Desktop by the admirable Mike Bombich (author of Carbon Copy Cloner), which worked great (except very slowly on my end since I am on dialup) and was very easy to use. I suggest having a chat program too, such as Fire or Adium so you can chat while you are sharing the desktop. Your dad launches SMD to share via VNC, you use Chicken of the VNC to access.

Bombich Software can be found at: http://www.bombich.com/software/index.html

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Beverly Woods
http://beverlywoods.net
Low End Mac column: http://www.lowendmac.com/woods/index.html

Sloth - Jun 6, 2005 - 10:35 pm

Beverly,

I thank you for the reply. I am curious, why do I need to download SMD if I already have Chicken? I assume you are recommending this because it is easier to use than Chicken? Is SMD freeware? Anyway, I appreciate your time.

Regards,

Jack

nhmac - Jun 7, 2005 - 12:03 am

As I understand it, there are 2 functions in VNC: a server and a client. Not every VNC program has both.

Chicken is a client. For you to access your dad's Mac he has to run a VNC server. SMD (freeware/donationware IIRC) is a server, and easier to set up than other Mac VNC servers I tried to use.

When you say you have your father's IP and password, unless that password is the password to a VNC server he is running, Chicken cannot connect you. Thus the SMD (for him, not you.)

Is this making sense or do I need to try to explain in more depth?
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Beverly Woods
http://beverlywoods.net
Low End Mac column: http://www.lowendmac.com/woods/index.html

Sloth - Jun 7, 2005 - 12:53 am

Beverely,

I guess I am a little confused. I thought Chicken was the server? Anyway, I have OsxVNC which I thought was the server I am supposed to use to access Chicken more easily? My big issue is ports and IP addresses. I have been reading stuff on the internet on the subject of VNC setup but I have yet to come across anything that lays the process out step by step. I thought I was close to understanding it, but now I don't know. If you are willing to go into more depth, I would appreciate it.

-Jack

nhmac - Jun 7, 2005 - 8:08 am

Here are the steps I used to access my Mom's Mac in a distant state, over the internet by VNC:

In the Firewall settings, I had her set her OS X firewall to allow a connection on the ports VNC uses. (5900-5902) In 10.3.4, the firewall setting is in the Sys Prefs under Sharing.

For a sharing session, she launches Share My Desktop. SMD generates signin info, an IP and a random password. She copies that info into a chat or email and I copy it into the appropriate box in Chicken's interface. Then my client (Chicken) connects to her server (SMD.) I can see her desktop because she is running a server; she does not access my desktop because I am not running a server (nor does she have a client to access it with.)

Guess I should write a column about this when I get a chance. Let me know how much of this makes sense and where you get stuck.
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Beverly Woods
http://beverlywoods.net
Low End Mac column: http://www.lowendmac.com/woods/index.html

Sloth - Jun 7, 2005 - 1:02 pm

Beverly,

Thank you again for the clarification. I think I know how to do it now. I would also like to set it up so he can view my computer as well. I imagine it works the same but in reverse. I will give it a try and see how it goes, unless you have any other suggestions? We are both designers and it would afford us an opportunity to view each others work without having to send files back and forth. I will recommend instant messaging or a (chat) application as you suggest since he does not have a camera as I do. I am currently hooked up to Ichat with a .mac account. I was using the camera with Ichat last night with my friend. It worked really well. I can imagine using the camera, chating and VNC all in one as the ultimate communication package. The best part? It is all free.

Gratefully yours,

Jack

PS. I checked out your website. The music sounds really good!

nhmac - Jun 7, 2005 - 6:51 pm

Sounds like a good idea to go ahead try it out. Please let me know how it goes, and let me know if you have further questions.

Glad you like the music too!

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Beverly Woods
http://beverlywoods.net
Low End Mac column: http://www.lowendmac.com/woods/index.html