Windows 7: Remote Assistance and linksys router

I seem to be having trouble using remote assistance to connect other peoples computers. I get them to send me the invitation but then i can never connect. Diagnosing says there is a problem with my router. I have tried searching for the correct setup my routers needs to have to allow me to connect to other people but i can't seem to find the correct steps. I have a linksys wrt54g router. I have already gone into advanced firewall settings and enabled everything having to do with remote assistance (out) Thanks for any help

Go to the link below and get the new firmware which will probably fix the problem. You will need to know your version number.
Linksys by Cisco - WRT54G Support

Good luck to you in solving this issue. You can see my post about the same problem somewhat below. No resolution. Well, actually no has bothered to offer help, either here or in the General Discussion forum, and I still haven't been able discover the solution on my own outside of using third-party software (TeamViewer FTW). I suspect that Windows RA is simply a semi-functional piece of crap.

You checked in the router's firewall that port 3389 isn't blocked (also the same port used by Remote Desktop),

Step-by-Step Guide to Remote Assistance

We have a turorial here in this forum for this also. It's a bit more updated and is made just for Windows 7.
Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) - Network

As for the firewall,

3. Under Remote Assistance, put a check mark on Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
Note: This automatically adds Remote Desktop exception to Windows Firewall.

Updated for 7 yes, but that is for Remote Desktop, not Remote Assistance.

Remote Assistance in Windows 7: Lending a helping Hand is even easier - Windows Live

With Windows 7 the settings seem to overlap a bit, notice the remote assitance setting there at the top. The settings seem to overlap at a certain point but I think the remote assistance allows more freedom and the person is supposed to be able to see what your doing and chat during the process. This setting wasn't shown in that turorial for some reason.

Either way this setting will need to be enabled for remote assistance to work. Read down below for the Windows 7 approved method for using remote assistance. Apparently it will not work unless you are using the "Home" network setting which is only used for Homegroup networking.



For Windows 7 there are a couple ways to use Remote Assistance, you can use "easy connect" or you can use an invitation file.

There are also a couple of things that need to occur before Remote assistance will work correctly. Read below in bold, I believe that is the problem most are having.

Ensure that your network location is set to 'Home' in Network and Sharing Center'.

That means if you are using either Workgroup or public file sharing that Remote Assistance won't work. Kind of an important detail if you ask me.

Microsoft provides a tool for testing your router for Peer to Peer technologies such as:
- Universal Plug and Play
- Teredo (Network Address Translator)

You can listen to this tutorial and choose which ever method works best in the link below.
The link that Stormy posted shows this pretty well.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ote-Assistance

Your routers must support the Peer Name Resolution Protocol in order to use Remote Assistance Easy Connect over the internet.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-use-Easy-Connect-with-Windows-Remote-Assistance

Run the Internet Connect Evaluation Tool to see if your routers provide the needed PNRP support.

If your routers don't support PNRP work arounds might include...

Upgrading the router firmware. < first thing I mentioned
Purchasing a new router.
Using a different method for the Remote Assistance invitation, ie. the Invitaion File method for example.
Use a third-party program like TeamViewer, free for personal use.

They can and do. Fun when you're the one controlling and they won't let go of their mouse.

That Remote tab hasn't changed too much since XP,



I have a feeling in JustWatching's case the router's firewall is blocking port 3389, and has UPnP disabled in the router. If it is UPnP disabled he needs to either enable it or add a firewall rule to allow that port.

I want to try this just to have a mouse control fight with someone LOL.

The firewall port should be open with that one setting according to the tutorial. Of course if he is using an AV software all bets are off on that port still being open so you could be right.

I think that because this will only work with the "Home" network setting, that pretty much anyone using Workgroup or public sharing won't be able to get Remote Assistance to work for them. Unless of course they re-setup the network using the Home network setting.

Kind of a pain because in order to share with different Op systems you need to use Workgroup or public file sharing.

Ok found the UpnP on my router and enabled it, still does not work when i receive an invitation.


ran the microsoft internet connectivity evaluation tool and everything was supported except for Network Address Translator Type.--Not Supported

I have the most recent firmware i can have for my router.

Is there anything i can do to fix this or do i need a new router?

and my network is set as a HOME network, not WORK or PUBLIC


and the firewall on my router is disabled..
TIA