Lack of control connecting to Win 7 PC

[Beck-PC]

I've been using the SingleClick version for a while now and have had problems with connecting to Vista or 7 PC's. I thought I'd test out ChunkVNC and see how it works. I like it... however I had this strange issue.

The repeater is up and running on my server at the office.

I have the viewer running at home on a Win 7 64 bit PC.

I remotely connected to my office PC (Win 7 32 bit) using LiveMesh to test the connection. I run the InstantSupport app and get the code. I connect from my home PC to the office. However I have no control over that PC. I cannot even see the mouse moving.

I can however connect from the Server 2003 PC and a Windows XP machine. It might be something to do with LiveMesh (which uses Remote Desktop), but I'm using Remote Desktop to connect to the 2003 server and it's working fine. I doubt that is the issue.

Any suggestions? I'm really needing a way to support Win7 clients.

[supercoe]

So basically you can connect and see the screen but can't control it?

It's possible Live Mesh is causing a problem but I doubt it as well...
Try temporarily disabling (or stop using) Live Mesh and instead use TeamViewer for your testing because I know it plays well with ChunkVNC.

[Beck-PC]

That is correct. I could see the screen, but nothing would click.

What's odd is it will work in reverse. I use LiveMesh both at home and the office. I was able to remote to my office and take control of the PC at home using ChunkVNC.

I can only assume the problem is because both the server and the PC are at the same location. I will test it out more throughly over the next few days.

I did have the chance to check it out using Mac OSX 1.5.6 and it works, but it causes a strange issue with Safari and I had to shut down the MAC manually. When I say 'strange issue', it stopped loading web pages after the client was installed and run. Safari wouldn't load again until the PC was shut down and it wouldn't shut down nicely. I know it's still in Beta, but wanted you to be aware.

[krash_control]

That is correct. I could see the screen, but nothing would click.

Sounds like UAC. Are you sure there aren't any prompts coming up? Try disabling the antivirus. I assume you use a different AV at work and at home which may explain why it works in reverse. Just my guess.

[Beck-PC]

Well... I do believe it is a UAC issue. I had a customer I was connecting to last night. We just got him a new PC with 7-64 bit and it was doing the same (partially). I was able to work until it came up asking for permission. I never could see it on my end, but he could. I did turn off his UAC features, but since it required a reboot and I was in the middle of a job, he did that later. I'm not sure if that resolved the issue, but I kept him on the phone to click when necessary.

There were a couple of times when the UAC didn't pop up, but the mouse wouldn't work. He had to do some clicking for me and I could see what he was doing. Then it finally started working again for me.

For Antivirus, you are correct. I use McAfee Corporate 8.7i at home, but Kaspersky Workstation at the office. I'm about to switch out the McAfee since it's not 100% functional with 7-64 bit. No one seems to tell you this, but it's true. I don't think that was the issue. It was probably the UAC issue. We really need a work around for that.

It's a great product and so far it's the best option I've seen with Win7. I'd love to see it working 100% with version 4.0. I'd buy you a couple cases of beer for sure!

[supercoe]

I'm about to switch out the McAfee since it's not 100% functional with 7-64 bit.

Don't be ridiculous McAfee never works 100%...

In order to control UAC prompts you must click on the InstantSupport tray icon and choose "Install as Service". This will perminantly install InstantSupport so you can reboot the machine and control UAC prompts.

Keep in mind that installing the service requires admin privileges and will prompt UAC, the local user must click allow.

[krash_control]

I have also noticed that when the UAC prompt comes up, the user can see it, but you can't see it on your screen. This is why I suggested it was a UAC issue.

Interestingly today I found that Kaspersky prevents you from controlling it remotely. User had the screen open in the taskbar, when I brought it to focus, I lost mouse and keyboard. When the user closed it, I had control again. Obviously this is Kaspersky controlling itself, but does make our lives more difficult.

[supercoe]

If InstantSupport (or UltraVNC in general) is only running as an application (without admin privileges) it will not be able to do anything with programs that are running with administrative rights.

Basically if a program is brought into focus that is running as an administrator UltraVNC cannot control it unless it is also running as administrator.

Installing as a service allows you to access administrative programs because it to has admin rights.