Ever had someone call you and explain their computer problems or the series of events that led to some kind of error?  Of course if you’re in IT support most problems are explained like this: “Nothing is working!”.  Kind of broad.  It’s time to put on our thinking caps TftM fans!  I recently came across a very simple to use website that you can use to help find out the specific problem on someone’s PC – as THEY see it.

So you aren’t sitting right next to them but you can still ask them, “Show me whats wrong” and they will be able to.  In my job I am often not able to sit in front of someone to watch for the error to pop up (or the series of events that lead to it).  Technicians will appreciate this tool because it adds a ton of insight into the “Nothing works!” user-diagnosis.  Lets jump in and see how it works.

“Show Me Whats Wrong!”

Step 1: Go to ShowMeWhatsWrong website tool

Step 2: They will ask for your name and email address.  Basically, you fill that out and hit GENERATE. 

Step 3: A website address will be assigned for you to send to your friends and family.  Copy this down and send it to whomever says “Nothing is working on the PC!”

Step 4: Great!  Your part is done.  Now when someone uses the link you sent via email it will bring them to the above screen.  They enter their name and click Start Recording.

User Interaction

What will happen is that it records everything on their screen including audio from their microphone (if they have one). The simple screen below will pop up and basically start recording. The user can then perform the series of events that led to the error and when done, just click STOP. 

Simple user interface!

Conclusion

It will process the video, upload, and send an email to you!  Pretty awesome right? I think this tool is a boon to anyone who likes helping out friends and family, right on down to the typical IT Technician who wants more clarity on a problem.  It’s a nice tool/favorite to keep in your browser so check out ShowMeWhatsWrong. 

You’ll get an email after they process the screen/mic capture like this

Obviously, this does not give you a hands-on way of fixing the problem but it can give you more information to research a problem before attempting to fix it.  If you want to do more hands-on remote support then I suggest checking out my article on Remote Access with LogMeIn.  What tools do you like to use to get to your pc remotely, help friends, or diagnose problems?

However, this can be used easily by just about anyone to connect to their home pc (or work PC) from anywhere in the world.  Please note, your systems administrator may not allow you to install this on your work PC though for security reasons.  But for your home PC, its invaluable.  Heck, nowadays you can pretty much get to your home PC from your iPhone or Blackberry!

Interested in Remote Access? Well…

Who should use this

Business: As an IT Professional, I use this profusely to monitor several servers in different places.  I also use it to access my own home computer.  If you do not want to use clunky VPN setups and configurations in business, just to get access to a server – then use LogMeIn.  Besides, it’s free anyways even if you use it for business.  Although the business packages aren’t expensive and have some nice features.

Personal: For you addicted at-homers, you too can use LogMeIn.  If you’re away and want to check your computer, you can do so with LogMeIn pretty easily.  It’s pretty painless even for newbie’s.

Tech Support:  I’ve seen several people add quite a few pcs to their account in an attempt to provide dirt-cheap remote desktop support.  This does work.  Personally. I have my friends and parents computers on my account, so I can fix any annoying problems from time to time.  Being in the Caribbean makes it difficult to fix family and friends computers back in the US!

Why it’s so great!

Hands down – Number 1: It’s easy to use!

The 2nd reason:  Easy Setup – It blasts through all firewalls and network configurations by using LogMeIn servers as an intermediary.  No more port-forwarding or making special rules in your router to accommodate for this software.  Most remote access software is a pain because of intricate network configurations – LogMeIn solves that by using their secure servers as a middle-man and both the client and host computers meet right in the middle.  Pretty awesome huh?

Number 3:  Yes it is secure.  They use 256bit encryption when sending any data back and forth not to mention SSL.  For those of you that don’t know what that means – it mean’s its a good thing! Entirely unlikely any hacker could be snooping your business.

Like it?  Go Sign-Up

Again, it’s free. What can it hurt? And you can access your servers or PC’s from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection.  Check out their site.

http://www.logmein.com

Tutorial of LogMeIn

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea5snGizfCs

Tech Blog PCMech posted a nice YouTube video on the basics of LogMeIn.  You should definitely check it out.

Have you used LogMeIn? Have an alternative or easier solution? Let us know

Related Blog’s on the Topic: GoToMyPc vs LogMeIn – LogMeIn coming to Blackberry Storm – AskTheAdmin – Review on LogMeIn