Webex Pcnow Manual

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Getting Started with WebEx PCNow Contents

Introducing WebEx PCNow

■ About this guide ........................................................................... 1

WebEx PCNow lets you remotely access a computer using another computer that is connected to the Internet. For example, if you are at home or traveling, you can use your home or mobile computer to access your office computer and use it as if you were sitting at your office desk.

■ Introducing WebEx PCNow.......................................................... 1 ■ Understanding how WebEx PCNow works .................................. 2 ■ Setting up a computer for WebEx PCNow ................................... 2

During an WebEx PCNow session, you can:

■ Accessing a computer remotely ................................................... 5

■ Use either specific applications on a remote computer or its entire desktop,

■ Managing a remote computer ...................................................... 9 ■ Viewing usage reports................................................................ 12 ■ For more information .................................................................. 13 ■ Contacting WebEx Communications.......................................... 13

About this guide Getting Started introduces you to WebEx PCNow and helps you to set up and access a remote computer quickly. In addition, this guide shows you how to use all of the options available to you during an WebEx PCNow session and how to keep your remote computer accessible. This guide assumes that you have a user account on your WebEx PCNow Web site. For more detailed instructions on using WebEx PCNow, please refer to the online Help for WebEx PCNow.

depending on the options you chose when setting up WebEx PCNow ■ Transfer files to and from the computer ■ Access network resources ■ Print remote documents on a printer at your current location

You can access a computer remotely using any type of Internet connection, including dial-up, DSL, cable modem, and local area network (LAN) connections.

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System Requirements

Understanding how WebEx PCNow works To use WebEx PCNow, you must first install the WebEx PCNow Agent on the computer that you want to access remotely, called the remote computer. Then, using another computer that is connected to the Internet, called the local computer, you can log in to your WebEx PCNow Web site and establish a connection with the remote computer. The WebEx PCNow window—a plugin for your Web browser—starts the WebEx PCNow session and displays the remote computer on your screen. To provide a secure and reliable connection between your local and remote computers, WebEx PCNow uses the WebEx MediaTone Network (WIN)—a global, high-performance network infrastructure specifically designed for real-time multimedia communications. The following figure shows an overview of an WebEx PCNow connection.

Requirements for the remote and local computers: ■ Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME (Millennium Edition), XP, 2000, or NT ■ Intel Pentium 166 MHz or faster processor ■ 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended) ■ Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x or later or Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or later ■ JavaScript and cookies enabled on the Web browser ■ For Internet Explorer only: ActiveX enabled for the browser ■ For Firefox only: Java enabled for the browser and Java Runtime

Environment (JRE) version 1.3.0_01 or later installed on local computer (for details about installing JRE, refer to the FAQ page on your WebEx PCNow site) ■ Internet connection: For the remote computer, a dedicated, broadband

Internet connection, such as a DSL, cable modem, ISDN, or T1 connection; for the local computer, at least a 56K connection

Installing the WebEx PCNow Agent To set up a computer for WebEx PCNow, you must install the WebEx PCNow Agent on the computer that you want to access remotely. You need not set up any software on the computer on your local computer—that is, the computer that you want to use to access the remote computer. When installing the agent, you can choose one of two options for setting up the agent:

Setting up a computer for WebEx PCNow Before setting up a computer for WebEx PCNow, ensure that both the remote computer and the local computer meet the minimum system requirements.

■ Default: Sets up the agent with the most commonly used settings. You can

change any of the default settings later, by setting preferences for the WebEx PCNow Agent. ■ Custom: Lets you set up the agent with your own settings. You can change

these settings at any time after installation, by setting preferences for the WebEx PCNow Agent.

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I m p o r t a n t To install the WebEx PCNow Agent on a computer running Windows NT, 2000, or XP, you must do one of the following: ■ Sign in to your computer as an administrator before running the WebEx

PCNow Setup program. ■ Have an administrator sign in to your computer for you.

Once you complete setup, you need not log in to the computer as an administrator to use WebEx PCNow. To install the WebEx PCNow Agent: 1 Go to your remote computer—that is, the computer that you want to access

remotely. 2 On your remote computer, log in to your WebEx PCNow Web site, using

your email address and account password. 3 At the top of the page, click My Computers.

N o t e If the wizard is unable to start on your computer due to system or network restrictions, a page appears on which you can download the WebEx PCNow Agent Installer to your computer.

4 Under My Computers, click the link to add a new computer. 5 Click Next.

The Setup Type panel appears.

The WebEx PCNow Setup Wizard starts.

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†

Authentication—Specify the security options that you want to use when accessing the computer remotely. You can choose one of these options: — Access code authentication, in which you enter an access code on a Web page — Phone authentication, in which you receive a phone call at a phone number that you specify, and then key in a pass code (Available for Pro accounts only.)

7 On the Setup Complete panel, click Finish to install the agent on your

computer. The WebEx PCNow Agent logs the computer in to the WebEx PCNow server.

6 Select Default or Custom, and then click Next.

The WebEx PCNow - Available icon appears on your computer's taskbar. You can now access the computer remotely.

■ Default option: On the Computer Setup panel, specify the following; †

A nickname name for the computer, which appears in your list of remote computers on your WebEx PCNow Web site.

†

The access code that you want to use access the remote computer. For security, you must enter this access code to start a remote access session with this computer.

■ Custom option: Specify information on the following panels. †

Account Information: Specify a nickname name for the computer, which appears in your list of remote computers on your WebEx PCNow Web site.

†

Options: Specify the options for the computer that you want to take effect once you access the computer remotely. You can change any of these options during a WebEx PCNow session. If you are unsure which options to select, accept the default selections.

†

Access: Select the specific applications that you can access on the remote computer, or choose to access the computer’s entire desktop. (Specific application access is available for Pro accounts only.)

N o t e If your organization requires you to log in to a proxy server before you can log in to another server on the Internet, the Proxy Server Password dialog box appears once you finish setup. In this case, provide your proxy server login information. To avoid having to log in to the proxy server each time the WebEx PCNow Agent attempts to log in the computer to the WebEx PCNow server, select the Remember my proxy server user ID and password check box, and then click OK.

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Keeping a remote computer accessible You can access a computer remotely if: ■ The WebEx PCNow Agent is running on the computer—that is, if the

WebEx PCNow icon appears on the remote computer’s taskbar. ■ The remote computer is logged in to the WebEx PCNow server—that is, if

its status is Available. To check the status, place your mouse pointer over the WebEx PCNow icon on the computer’s task bar.

■ The remote computer is not in a power-saving standby, or “sleep,” mode.

For more information about standby mode, refer to Windows Help.

Accessing a computer remotely Your WebEx PCNow Web site includes a list of the computers that you have set up for remote access. You can open this list, and then establish a connection with a remote computer. 1 On the local computer on which you want to access another computer

remotely, log in to your WebEx PCNow Web site. 2 At the top of the page, click My Computers.

A list of computers that you have set up for WebEx PCNow appears.

You can access any computer in the list for which the status is Online. 3 Click the icon for the computer that you want to access remotely to select

it, and then do one of the following: ■ If you set up the computer to access specific applications, select the

application that you want to access. (For Pro accounts only.) ■ If you set up the computer to access its entire desktop, select Desktop.

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Alternatively, in the Computer Info panel to the right, under Available Applications, select the application or desktop, and then click Connect. 4 Do one of the following ■ If you chose access code authentication, type your access code in the

box that appears, and then click OK. Your access code is case-sensitive, so you must type the access code exactly as you specified it when setting up the computer. ■ If you chose phone authentication, wait to receive a phone call at the

number you specified, and then follow the voice instructions to provide your pass code. (For Pro accounts only.) The WebEx PCNow window opens, displaying the remote computer’s desktop or the application that you selected. N o t e If the remote computer is running Windows NT, 2000, or XP, and you must log in to or unlock the computer, you can send a Ctrl+Alt+Del command to the computer. See “Managing a remote computer during an WebEx PCNow session.”

Controlling your view of a remote computer You can control the display of a remote computer during an WebEx PCNow session, by doing any of the following: ■ Zoom in to or out from the display in increments or to a specific

percentage ■ View the display in a window or a full screen, and optionally scale the view

to fit your screen

2 Choose one of the following commands:

Command

Description

Zoom In

Magnifies the view of the remote computer in increments.

Zoom Out

Reduces the view of the remote computer in increments.

50% 75% 100% 200% 400%

Resizes the view of the remote computer according to a specific zoom level.

Full Screen-Scale to Fit

Displays the view of the remote computer in a full screen, and scales it to fit the entire screen on the local computer. Use this option if the monitor of the local computer and that of the remote computer have different resolutions.

Full Screen

Displays the view of the remote computer in a full screen.

To control the display of a remote computer: 1 On the title bar of the window in which the remote computer appears, dick the WebEx PCNow button, and then point to View.

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Command

Description

Window-Scale to Fit

Displays the view of the remote computer in a window, and scales it to fit the window. Use this option if the monitor of the local computer and that of the remote computer have different resolutions.

Window

Command

Description

Reduce Screen Resolution to Match This Computer

Reduces the remote computer's screen resolution to match that on your local computer. This option reduces the need to scroll while viewing the remote computer. The WebEx PCNow Agent restores the resolution to its original setting once you end the session.

Displays the view of the remote computer in window.

Managing a remote computer during an WebEx PCNow session During an WebEx PCNow session, you can:

Disable Keyboard and Disables the keyboard and mouse on the remote computer, preventing anyone at the remote location Mouse from using the computer.

Make Screen Blank

■ Control the screen resolution of the remote computer

Important—The screen-blanking privacy option is not available for all hardware platforms. Some graphics cards do not support this option. Test this option in an WebEx PCNow session to determine if the it works on your computer.

■ Lock the remote computer’s keyboard and mouse ■ Make the remote computer’s screen blank ■ Send a Ctrl+Alt+Delete command to the remote computer

To manage a remote computer during an WebEx PCNow session: 1 On the title bar of the window in which the remote computer appears, dick the WebEx PCNow button, and then point to Remote Computer.

Makes a remote computer's screen blank, thereby preventing anyone at the remote computer's location from viewing the contents on the screen.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Del

This command appears only if the remote computer is running Windows NT or 2000. Sends a Ctrl+Alt+Del command to a remote computer, which allows you to: ■ Log in to or out from the computer ■ Lock or unlock the computer

2 On the menu that appears, choose one of the following commands:

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Transferring files during an WebEx PCNow session Available for Pro accounts only During an WebEx PCNow session, you can transfer files or folders to or from the remote computer.

2 In the pane on either the left or right, browse to the folder in which you

want to transfer files. 3 In the other pane, browse to the folder containing the files or folder that

you want to transfer. 4 Select the files or folder that you want to transfer.

To transfer files during an WebEx PCNow session: 1 On the title bar of the window in which the remote computer appears, dick the WebEx PCNow button, and then choose Transfer File.

5 Click the either the left- or right-pointing arrow, as appropriate, to

transfer the file from one computer to the other.

Printing remote documents During an WebEx PCNow session, you can open a document that resides on the remote computer and print it to local printer at your current location. To print a remote document: 1 On the remote computer, open the document that you want to print.

The Transfer File window appears.

2 In the remote application, open the print options. 3 In your list of printers, select the ActiveTouch Document Loader.

A print options dialog box for your local computer appears. 4 Select a local computer, and then print the document.

I m p o r t a n t The remote printing option can accurately print a remote document, but the format and alignment of the printout may not be as precise as it would if you printed the document directly from your local computer. Therefore, do not use this option when the precision of the printout is critical, such as when printing checks.

The pane on the left shows the file directory for the local computer, and the pane on the right shows the file directory for the remote computer.

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Ending an WebEx PCNow session Once you end an WebEx PCNow session, the WebEx PCNow server disconnects your local computer from the remote computer. However, the remote computer remains logged in to the WebEx PCNow server, so you can access it again at any time.

Managing a remote computer Once you start the WebEx PCNow Agent on a remote computer, you can manage the remote computer by doing any of the following:

To ensure your privacy and the security of the remote computer, do one of the following before you end an WebEx PCNow session:

■ Log in the computer to the WebEx PCNow server

■ Close any applications that you started during the WebEx PCNow session.

■ Set preferences for WebEx PCNow,

■ If the remote computer is running Windows NT, 2000, or XP, and you

■ Close the WebEx PCNow Agent

have administrator rights on the computer, log off from or lock the computer. To access these options on the computer, send a Ctrl+Alt+Del command to the remote computer. For details, see “Managing a remote computer during an WebEx PCNow session.” ■ Specify a screen saver password, and set the screen saver to appear after 1

minute of inactivity. To end an WebEx PCNow session: 1 On the title bar of the window in which the remote computer appears, dick the WebEx PCNow button, and then choose End WebEx PCNow Session.

2 In the message box appears, click Yes.

■ Log out the computer from the WebEx PCNow server

Starting the WebEx PCNow Agent To start the WebEx PCNow Agent on a remote computer, do one of the following: ■ On the remote computer's Start menu, choose Programs > WebEx PCNow >

WebEx PCNow. ■ On the remote computer's desktop, double-click the WebEx PCNow

shortcut.

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Logging in a remote computer to the WebEx PCNow server Once you install and set up the WebEx PCNow Agent on a remote computer, the agent automatically runs and logs in the computer to the WebEx PCNow server. If you log out the computer from the server, you must log it in again to access the computer remotely. To log in a remote computer: 1 If you have not already done so, connect the computer to the Internet. 2 On the remote computer's taskbar, right-click the WebEx PCNow - Offline

icon.

3 On the menu that appears, choose Log In.

The WebEx PCNow Login dialog box appears.

2 On the menu that appears, choose Log Out. 3 In the message box that appears, click Yes.

Setting preferences for WebEx PCNow When you set up a remote computer for WebEx PCNow, you either accepted the default preferences for the WebEx PCNow Agent or specified your own preferences, using the Custom option. At any time, you can change any of the preferences that were specified during installation. To set preferences for the WebEx PCNow Agent: 1 On the remote computer's taskbar, right-click the WebEx PCNow icon.

2 On the menu that appears, choose Preferences.

The WebEx PCNow dialog box appears.

4 Type the password for your user account in the Password box, and then click OK.

Logging out a remote computer from the WebEx PCNow server Once you log out a computer from the WebEx PCNow server, you can cannot access the computer remotely until you log back in to the server. To log out a remote computer: 1 On the remote computer's taskbar, right-click the WebEx PCNow - Available

icon.

3 Specify options on any of the following tabs:

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■ Computer Setup: Allows you to rename a remote computer that you set

up for WebEx PCNow. A remote computer's name appears in your list of remote computers on your WebEx PCNow Web site. Also allows you to change the authentication (security) options that you set when setting up a remote computer for WebEx PCNow. You can choose either of the following types of authentication, which help to prevent unauthorized access to a remote computer:

Option

Description

Access code authentication

Requires you to provide a code, or password, by entering it on a Web page, to access a remote computer.

Phone authentication Calls a phone number that you specify, then (Pro accounts only)

Option

Description

Disable this computer’s keyboard and mouse

Disables the keyboard and mouse on the remote computer, preventing anyone at the remote location from using the computer.

Make this computer’s screen blank

Makes a remote computer's screen blank, thereby preventing anyone at the remote computer's location from viewing the contents on the screen. Important—The screen-blanking privacy option is not available for all hardware platforms. Certain graphics cards do not support this option. Test this option in an WebEx PCNow session to determine if the it works on your computer.

The Options tab also lets you specify the following options:

requires you to provide a pass code, using the keys on your phone's keypad, to access a remote computer. Option

Description

End the session after it is inactive for [x] minutes

Specifies a time-out period for an WebEx PCNow session, such that the local computer automatically disconnects from the remote computer if there is no activity for the specified duration of time.

Disable pop-up messages

Specifies that WebEx PCNow Agent on your remote computer does not display any system or error messages. This option is useful if your remote computer is in “kiosk mode,” in which only one application is running and the operating system is not accessible. If the WebEx PCNow Agent were to display a message while your computer was in kiosk mode, you would be unable to close the message window and continue using the remote computer.

■ Options: Lets you turn the following options on or off. These options

take effect once you access the computer remotely. You can also change them during a session:

Option

Description

Automatically reduce Reduces the remote computer’s screen resolution to match that on your local computer. screen resolution to match local computer This option reduces the need to scroll while viewing the remote computer. The WebEx PCNow Agent restores the resolution to its original setting once you end the session.

Use full-screen view by default

Specifies that the remote computer appears in a full-screen view by default on the local computer. If this check box is cleared, the remote computer appears in a standard window.

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Option

Description

Lock computer after session ends

Available only for Windows 2000, NT, or XP. Specifies that the WebEx PCNow Agent automatically locks the remote computer once you end an WebEx PCNow session. The Computer Locked dialog box appears on the remote computer's screen, requiring a user to provide your Windows password to unlock the computer.

Display Mode

Specifies how remote applications appear on your local computer. The Standard mode is ideal for most applications; the Screen-sampling mode is better for applications that display complex graphics.

Viewing usage reports For Pro accounts only You can view information about your usage of WebEx PCNow, including: ■ The name of the computer that you accessed remotely ■ The IP address of the computer that you used to access the computer

remotely ■ The date and time you accessed a remote computer ■ The duration of the connection to the remote computer

You can view usage information for any range of dates within the past three months.

■ Applications: Available for Pro accounts only. Lets you choose whether

to access specific applications on the remote computer or the computer's entire desktop. If you choose to access specific applications, you can add applications to or remove them from the list of applications that you can access.

Closing the WebEx PCNow Agent Once you close the WebEx PCNow Agent on a computer that you set up for WebEx PCNow, you cannot access the computer remotely until you restart the agent.

To a view usage report: 1 Log in to your WebEx PCNow Web site. 2 At the top of the page, click Computers. 3 Click Usage Reports. 4 In the Search History panel, in the From and To boxes, specify the beginning

and ending dates for which you want to view usage information. 5 In the Sort by box, choose how you want to sort the usage information in the Usage History panel.

To close the WebEx PCNow Agent: 1 On the remote computer's taskbar, right-click the WebEx Remote Access

icon.

2 On the menu that appears, choose Close WebEx PCNow Agent. 3 In the message box that appears, click Yes.

6 Click Display.

Getting Started with WebEx Access Anywhere

For more information The online Help for WebEx PCNow provides detailed instructions for using all of the options in WebEx PCNow. Help includes an index and full-text search to help you find the information that you need.

Contacting WebEx Communications Receiving technical support WebEx provides comprehensive technical support services for its customers. To receive technical support for WebEx PCNow go the Support page on your WebEx PCNow Web site.

Providing feedback to WebEx Communications WebEx Communications greatly appreciates any feedback that you provide about our products and documentation.

Providing feedback about WebEx PCNow You can provide feedback to WebEx Communications by sending an email message to [email protected].

Providing feedback about this documentation If you have comments about WebEx PCNow documentation, please send an email message to [email protected]. In your email message, please specify: ■ The WebEx product that you are using ■ The section or Help topic to which your comment applies

If you would like to receive a response to your comments, please include your name and contact information in your message.

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© 2005 WebEx Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. WebEx, MyWebEx PC, and the WebEx logo are trademarks of WebEx Communications, Inc. Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Document version: WPCN-GSG-EN-SAv5 - 93005