Thread: Question about Laptop connecting to a Desktop

  1. #1
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    Question about Laptop connecting to a Desktop

    Hello all!

    I'm currently working on a programming project (a server program) which will run on an old computer i have lying around (Windows NT). I am wondering, i also have an older laptop lying around, is it possible to use the laptop as the means of communication and display for the "server"? Instead of having to hookup a big ole monitor and keyboard and mouse, it would be much more ergonomic if i could just connect a cord between the laptop and the computer and use the laptop to interface with the computer (by computer i mean desktop) when needed. The "server" will run independantly without a screen or keyboard or anything, but should i need to access the server directly or update it or something, it would be much easier to just connect it to a small laptop instead of a big screen and seperate mouse and seperate keyboard.

    I've googled the heck out of it and i cant seem to find the information i'm looking for, so any help would be greatly appreciated if this is indeed possible.

    Thanks!
    "Anyone can aspire to greatness if they try hard enough."
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  2. #2
    Hurry Slowly vart's Avatar
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    The simplest way I see - connect 2 computers into a network and use some remote desktop application.

    I do not remember if it is available "as is" on windows NT, but I suppose that something like Real VNC should work even on such an old OS
    All problems in computer science can be solved by another level of indirection,
    except for the problem of too many layers of indirection.
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    Thank you, i will look into it
    "Anyone can aspire to greatness if they try hard enough."
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    Remote desktop application? That's easy. TightVNC!
    Easy and 100% free.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  5. #5
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    Thanks Elysia!
    I have an internet connection (modem based, 64kbps).
    My brother also has an internet connection (same type).
    There is a website (i Goggled for it) that tells the IP addresses.
    I and my brother both have Windows XP.
    I want to either view my brother's computer or allow him to view my, using TightVNC.
    Can you help me too??

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    It's easy.
    First install TightVNC on both computers. After installation, options should pop up. Tick "accept incoming connections" and select a password (this must be done on the computer you want to connect to).
    Then all you need to do is start TightVNC viewer, select appropriate connection type and type in IP and then connect. Enter password and you're set to go.
    Just make sure no firewall is blocking.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  7. #7
    Cogito Ergo Sum
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    Ah, I might give that a try, I've always needed to keep a check on my younger brother of what he views.

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    Spying? TightVNC is not a spy program; it's a remote administration program. I'm afraid it doesn't quite work the way you want it to.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Elysia View Post
    Spying? TightVNC is not a spy program; it's a remote administration program. I'm afraid it doesn't quite work the way you want it to.
    If I can see what he is doing, it's good enough

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    You'll control the mouse, too.
    Not to mention spying is quite rude. What would you think if the government snooped around your private business?
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Elysia View Post
    You'll control the mouse, too.
    Not to mention spying is quite rude. What would you think if the government snooped around your private business?
    I couldn't say much if they did that because I was hacking into their servers.

    In the last 6 months. I've had to reformat 2 computers downstairs over 5 times, then one computer blew a capacitor which meant my dad had to get the motherboard replaced, and due to that when I now reformat computers since the recovery cd's are ACER, it only requires ACER motherboards, so I have to remove the hard drive, slave it to the other computer and reformat through that.

    The reason for reformatting so many times? My brother clicks on every dumb ad, downloads every noob program in existence, and creates a virus fest. Results include antivirus software not running, the computer failing to start up due to enormous lag, giving errors when booting into safe mode, unable to access the registry and etc. I can't use administrator accounts because my mum complains the scanner doesn't work when she is in guest mode, etc.

    So what's the alternative? Catch him red handed, and no I can't deprive him from using the computer. I don't like spending several hours reformatting hard disks

  12. #12
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    Furthermore, he is 20 m away downstairs, so it's hardly rude, considering I could stand next to him for his duration of using the computer and watching what he does, but that's hardly an option.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JFonseka View Post
    So what's the alternative? Catch him red handed, and no I can't deprive him from using the computer. I don't like spending several hours reformatting hard disks
    I know what you mean. I have sort of the same problem with someone else.
    However, it does not justify spying.

    Quote Originally Posted by JFonseka View Post
    Furthermore, he is 20 m away downstairs, so it's hardly rude, considering I could stand next to him for his duration of using the computer and watching what he does, but that's hardly an option.
    This still does not justify spying.
    What you can do is explicitly ask for permission and if he says yes, then you can do it.

    To fix your problems, here are a couple of suggestions.
    Give him a limited account. Require your permission to install things.
    Block all programs from running except from things he uses which are safe.
    Use active spyware, anti-virus and firewall protection.
    Get a server and monitor everything from the internet he accesses and block material which you find inappropriate (downloading programs, for example).
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Elysia View Post
    I know what you mean. I have sort of the same problem with someone else.
    However, it does not justify spying.
    Yes it does, I don't care much about these 'electronic acts rights', I need to know what he is upto simply because he messes up the computer.

    This still does not justify spying.
    What you can do is explicitly ask for permission and if he says yes, then you can do it.
    Haha, that won't ever work

    To fix your problems, here are a couple of suggestions.
    Give him a limited account. Require your permission to install things.
    Block all programs from running except from things he uses which are safe.
    Use active spyware, anti-virus and firewall protection.
    Get a server and monitor everything from the internet he accesses and block material which you find inappropriate (downloading programs, for example).
    Like I said, my parents complain when certain things don't work for them and they are clueless about what to do, so I can't give them all separate accounts, they are likely to forget the password. So I have one standard and one administrator.

    Get a server?

    Eitherways, I have all those things running and plus he is on a standard account now anyways, but occasionally i have to log my parents into the administrator one for them to get work done, and he will get on it at some point.

    You are taking this 'spying' to a new level. Spying is justified when it causes unnecessary pain to the people involved, for example 'running servers', extra costs and etc, especially when it's people in the same family. Equally spying is justified, when user actions compromises security risks, this way if he is doing some noobish thing, I can be there in a split second to reprimand him.

  15. #15
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    Spying is actually illegal in some countries. So it's not justified.
    However, what you could do is refuse to fix it unless they agree to let you administrate the computer and allow "surveillance."
    And all accounts do not need a password. The admin account does.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.

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