Computer help forum: Windows Remote Assistance

Besides, if I do a google on remote assistance you find articles about this topic. I thought eventually you would figure out that RA is well, not such a great solution.

I'd reveal exactly which OEM version you have.

I am running Windwos 7 Home Premium .
Not such a great solution to what ?
All I want is to be able to use it because it took me a long time (a very long time and I lost some hair along the way) to get the people I help to learn how to use it . So to get them to install a whole new program (believe me , they barely know the difference between a left click and a right click) and then have them learn it , is , .... well , not something I want to go through again .

For RA to do more, I fear you need Windows 7 Professional or better. Here's a link about it in Vista.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/products/compare?T1=tab01

There is a similar for Windows 7.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab01

But as you may notice they omitted the FINE DETAILS there about RA.

But you have revealed enough for me to write "Oops, you need a bigger version."
Bob

Since I have a Windows XP and my Windows 7 (with the problem) in my home connected to a wireless router I have been able to experiment a little . What I have found is that the remote assistance session does start on my Windows 7 PC . The problem is that the remote assistance window (the one where I'm supposed to see and controll the other PC with) does not appear . So , I'm guessing that I'm missing the '.exe' file that opens the window ?
How I cam to this conclusion is I requested a remote assistance from the Win XP to the Win 7 . I accepted the invitation on the Win 7 PC and then tried to do a request from the Win 7 to the Win XP and I got a message window stating that I already had a Remote Assistance session opened .
Am I on the right path ?

RA is just a big mess of this will work, but that won't. It appears my message was lost and at this point I'm going to let you talk with Microsoft.

I see the issue, but failed to convey it to you.
Bob

Ok , let me clarify a few more things . I have my system set to accept remote assistance . I have my Firewall settings set to allow remote assistance . I have my privacy settings set to prompt for cookies and to accept all session cookies . I have public networks set to off and home or private network turned on . I have public folder sharing , file and printer sharing and network discovery ; all turned off . I have "Bigfoot networks killer ethernet controller" properties set to dissable in the advance tab under "Property" ; Set the physical NIC to promiscuous mode . Thees settings , except for the privacy settings , are the default settings .
My question still remains , ... if I can be remotely assisted by other computers , why can't I remote assist other computers ???
If there are any more settings you'd care to know about , ........ let me know .

against the links offered did you take a moment to check the settings on the other computers?

You will note that each computer can select to be CONTROLLED remotely or not to be controlled remotely (that would be step 1 paragraph 7E in the first link offered).
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/116330-remote-assistance-enable-disable.html

Remember, we are NOT THERE at the computers to check for ourselves, we have to assume that you are taking the advice offered and not skipping steps or jumping ahead of us. We also assume that from your initial remarks you have set up remote assistance before so it is likely some minor but important setting that we don't want to miss.

Hmm . I have tried useing Windows Remote Assistance with the setting of Allow this computer to be remotely controlled both checked and unchecked . In all cases (these settings or any other setting that has sofar been suggested on the links you have provided) this is what happens ; 1- computer that is the requester starts Windows Live Messenger and clicks on the actions menue 'request remote assistance' menue item , then ckicks on the contact that is associated with my Windows 7 system ; 2- on the Windows 7 computer that is already running Windows Live messenger a message balloon pops up that says 'X is sending you and invitation . 3- I click on the balloon and a Windows Live messenger conversation window pops up and in it is the following chat messege " X is inviting you to start Remote Assistance. Do you want to Accept (alt+c) or Decline (alt+d) the invitation?" 4- I click on 'accept' and the following messege appears under the previous message that states "You have accepted the invitation to start Remote Assistance." 5- nothing further happens , nada , zilch , niets , niente , not even a "Would you like an icecream sundae while you wait for something to happen which of course never will !" message .

I have tried doing the send an invitation method aslo . After I get the email and starting the Assistant I get a window to type in the password and then I click ok and a remote assistance window pops up with a message informing me that my computer is attempting to contac the requesting computer . After waiting a few seconds (15 ot 20 I guess) I get a timed out message .

your previous response and I DO NOT SEE where the initiating computer has ever started the session after your acceptance. You are timing out because no one is starting the session at the other computer

Here is another link that might clarify the steps including the one critical step you seem to be missing (this link is for XP so the dialog boxes will be a bit different but the sequence is the same) -
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457004.aspx#EGAA

If still unable to connect you might save time by trying TeamViewer or as an interesting note Avast 7 (both free and aid versions) now has remote assistance built in. I am pretty sure though that if you have someone sitting at the initiating computer to start the session all will be well.

Step five applies to both computers , except that on the Windows XP computer a new message appears in the Windows Live messenger chat window below the "You have invited Z to start remote assistance . Please wait for a responce or cancel (Alt+Q) the pending invitation." message , saying "Z has accepted your invitation to start Remote Assistance." and on my brother's (in another state) computer we have also tried the send invitation by mail method and Windows Live messenger because he has Windows 7 , nothing happens on his screen either .
May I remind you that when done in reverse , everything works fine and either computer is able to remote assist my Windows 7 computer and take control of the desktop .
Also , I know there is freeware that can cercumvent and maybe work on my Windows 7 system but the fact still remains that my Windows 7 system should be able to Remote Assist other computers (using Windows Remote Assistance) and just does not . So call me stubborn but I'm determined to make it do it whether it wants to or not .
I hope you have the patience of an angle and not lose interest or concern of me . This is becoming a long thread and I truly would like to have my mysterious problem resolved .
Thanx