Building a login-free PCWH?

[fredtheman]

Hi

I'm learning how to build a PCWH equivalent to SC so that Vista users can connect out for help.

I read the Step-by-step PDF which shows how to build the PCWH server, but when launching the output EXE, the user is presented with a login/password screen, which I'd rather not have.

Someone in a thread said that we should use the following configuration switches:

- direct -connect 192.168.1.1:80 -passwd 202CB96

I guess this means there's a way to use a helpdesk.txt file to compile a PCWH binary, but the PDF file didn't show this. How do I do this?

Thank you.

[YY]

Yes, with the [-direct] option means the .EXE will make connection immediately upon running.

However, the integrated builder of PHW Viewer CANNOT create an .EXE with this option, and you must do it manually.

Here is the procedure:
1. Use the viewer to create your .EXE, and make sure it run correctly -- except no [-direct] feature.
2. At the PcHelpWare installed folder, goto the sub-directory "..\create_server\custom"
3. Here you will find the "helpdesk.txt", edit it with notepad to add the [-direct] option, save & exit. The syntax in you post is correct.
4. Goto the sub-directory "..\create_server", at here you will see the "Create.bat". Double click it, and it will create the .EXE
5. After the operation of step 4 finished, goto the sub-directory "..\myservers", you will see a file "PcHelpWare_server.exe" here. This the .EXE you work for -- with the [-direct] feature.

[fredtheman]

Thanks much for the tip. I built a login-free server, and will try to test it with a Vista user today.

One last question, though: Which EXE is the viewer that I must launch like UVNC's "vncviewer.exe /listen"?

"C:\Downloads\UltraVNC PCHW 1.0\PcHelpWare_viewer.exe"
"C:\Downloads\UltraVNC PCHW 1.0\create_server\PcHelpware.exe"
"C:\Downloads\UltraVNC PCHW 1.0\create_server\server\PcHelpWare.exe"

FYI, I find it confusing that PcHelpWare_viewer.exe is actually not a viewer but the program used to create a server.

Thank you.

[YY]

Which EXE is the viewer that I must launch like UVNC's "vncviewer.exe /listen"?

You just need to run "C:\Downloads\UltraVNC PCHW 1.0\PcHelpWare_viewer.exe"

Unlike the vncviewer.exe, you don't need to run the PcHelpWare_viewer.exe from CMD Prompt. Just double click the PcHelpWare_viewer.exe to open its GUI, enter all necessary parameter/setting, then click "START" to let it wait for connection.


Unlike the vncviewer in listening mode (which can accept multi-connection), the started PcHelpWare_viewer.exe is capable to handle ONE connection only. Once connection is established, it will not be able to accept another connection.

I find it confusing that PcHelpWare_viewer.exe is actually not a viewer but the program used to create a server.

It is the viewer (as I explained above), but it is also the server creator.

However, not all server features is supported with this integrated creator.

Another problem is the insufficient documentation.

[fredtheman]

Thanks, I was able to successfully have a Vista user connect to my viewer.

One thing we noticed, though: She was using MSN to tchat with us during the session, and we noticed that after closing the PCHW session, the keyboard layout in MSN was changed from FR to EN, while Notepad was fine. Looks like a bug.

[YY]

Nice to hear you have a successfull connection.

If you can repeat the said bug, you may open a new thread to report the abnormality to the developer, maybe this can help them to fix it in next build.

FYI, the PcHelpWare has the Chat Feature too.