How does one use TeamViewer to help senior folks

Volunteer Social Work is what I do three days a week.
Specifically, I assist senior folks, above 65 of age, to learn how to use simple computers so that they will not fall too far behind in society.

TeamViewer claims being able to access to unattended computers 24/7.
I have tried to utilize this wonderful function.
But failed.

Please help.
How does one access to unattended computers 24/7?

Thank you in advance for whatever your advice might be!

Vicky

 

Vicky, are you testing the free personal version of TeamViewer? What specific version and what O/S?

 

I install TeamViewer Host, set a password and copy the ID of that computer to add it to my TeamViewer accounts. But I only do that for my family. I don't want to get in trouble for God knows what because I could remote control a computer of a man I don't know well and who doesn't know me well either.

 

What is the point of accessing unattended computer if your role is to assist people using the computer?

 

because some people are so computer illiterate that getting them to open a specific webpage can take ages. i know this as i do tech support for dentists across the UK and half of them dont know what a browser is let alone the URL bar

 

I feel your pain.. but helping others has its rewards. In the end they are suppose to learn something to use on their own.

I prefer Teamviewer QS (Quick Support) for others than my own home. Installing remote services on someones pc other than family is not a secure solution for various reasons.

My usual scenario:
I can usually coach someone into opening IE, then have them type teamviewerqs download in the URL box or the default MSN Bing search box , then press enter. The first link should get them to the download page where you talk them thru downloading the Quick Support file to their desktop. The TeamviewerQS file is an .exe , when opened will give them an ID and password that you will need to access their pc. Each support session access afterwards will be a simple affair for both. Hopefully

 

I usually do what Rocketmech does - get the user to run the Quick Support version from the site, or mail them a zip of the exe if their browser is borked but they can receive mails and can handle extracting...!

But the OP wants continual access without user presence, I think, and often I do too, so I either have to talk the user through fully installing TV (as a Win service) or do that myself during the initial Quick Support session.

Either way, the unavoidable 'phone call can be harrowing for both parties!

The user has to then remember to leave the box on 24/7......

philby

 

what has that got to do with unattended( in the spirit of the word ) computer?

 

everything, as the people i deal with on a daily basis are so clueless that the computer might as well be unattended even though it is attended, makes sense in my head anyway

 

good, it is better if they attend even in an absent sort of a way. Who knows what will stick, brain is an amazing organ.

 

I have used LogMeIn free version before to help family members. I installed it on their pc, it runs as a service at all times, and added their pc to my account. Then using any web browser I was able to remote control and also see if the pc was online etc. But the free version lacks things like file transfer etc. What I liked was it does http tunneling and works via their servers so its easy to access.

Is TeamViewer just as simple to setup/use? It looks like it has more features.