Operate older Mac remotely?

[Himrich]

Hi all,

Several years ago when I could still run MacOS 9 on my Mac I could use "House Call Doctor" (running on Classic) to remotely access my Mom's Mac (running OS 9) and fix some things for her. She is very naive about computers and I had set up a bunch of macros for her to simply send and receive email from us and my sister's family. It was one of my older Macs, a 6100AV, that has served her pretty well with a few exceptions. I was always able to fix them remotely. We are separated by 2000 miles and running over to fix it isn't an option. Also, she lives in a small town (some 700) in the middle of South Dakota and there are no other Mac users to call on for help. Yes, it is a backward community for sure. She called today and said she has been without her email for a week now and I don't even know where to begin.

Now days, I'm running OS 10.5 and I have been unable to find a way to remotely connect to her older Mac from mine. Am I barking up a barren tree or is there a way?

Rick

[Xairbusdriver]

MacFixIt, right now, has an article by Ted Landau about Screen Sharing, which would be all you need...except you really need Leopard on both machines. However, many posters suggest several alternatives, some of which should work for you. Be aware, of course, that her machine will be no speed demon! The biggest problem I see is that she would have to install the app on her end. Of course, assuming that her Internet connection is MIA, none of the apps will be of any use...

We can all certainly understand the limits on what can be done by telephone as well as the enormous amounts of patience required to actually do the trouble-shooting. Short of just getting her a 'new' machine, it might be much easier and quicker to have her simply pack up the machine (and everything attached) and send it to you! EVen if you get her a 'new' machine, I'd suggest taking delivery first and setting everything up yourself, including automatic backups to an external drive! At least with a newer machine, one capable of video iChat, you can actually see her screen and suggest what should be done...

[Himrich]

Thanks. I know a new machine is probably the easiest way out of this predicament but I like overcoming the seemingly impossible.  

I forgot to mention in the prior post that she has actually been able to send email, just not receive them.

My memory of OS 9 is so vague I don't even remember where to start coaching her back to health. When I was still able to use HouseCall Doctor I could fumble my way thru a solution. Now it depends on recall of which I have become less capable with every passing year.