Controlling Another User's Computer

You can use Timbuktu Pro to control a remote computer. The desktop of the remote computer is displayed in a window on your screen. The window is updated as the other computer’s desktop changes.

The Control window displays a real-time view of the desktop of the host Timbuktu Pro computer, whose name is indicated in the title bar. You can view hidden parts of the desktop by moving your pointer toward the edge of the window or by clicking in the scroll bars. Any mouse movements you make or keys you press (excluding function keys) are carried out on the computer you are connected to.

While you are controlling another computer, you can perform any of the tasks that you could perform locally, including opening applications and creating new files. This means that a user with the Control privilege can remotely create, modify, or delete files without restriction, and can erase data from the host computer. This privilege, therefore, should be granted with caution.

If the remote computer’s screen resolution is higher than yours and you maximize your Control window, the AutoScroll feature is enabled so that you can view the entire remote desktop.

To control another computer

  1. Select the remote computer or establish a Dial Direct connection.

  2. From the Services menu, choose Control. Or click the Control service button.

Timbuktu Pro displays the remote computer’s desktop in a screen-sharing window. Use your mouse and keyboard to operate the remote computer. (If you are controlling a secure Windows computer, you may need to display the Windows Logon dialog box.)

  1. During your session, use the screen-sharing window’s system menu to change screen-sharing window settings. To open the system menu, click the Control or Observe icon in the upper-left corner of the screen-sharing window.

  2. To stop controlling or observing, open the system menu and choose Close. Timbuktu Pro closes the window and ends the connection.

Note: If you use the Control service to log on to a remote Windows computer that is accessed by multiple users, be sure to log out before closing your Control session. If you remain logged on, other users will not be able to access the remote computer.

If a screen-sharing window doesn't open, see Observe and Control Services Troubleshooting.

Timbuktu Pro does not support full-screen DOS sessions. Press ALT+ENTER to switch the MS-DOS session from full-screen to windowed mode.