Simple Help

[AlphaCS]

Okay its been mentioned in a few threads here and there but I after some more info. Who is using it? How do you like it? Would you go another route if you could do it again? Thanks

 

[AlphaCS]

Hmm no reply. Does anyone want to help out? Go to simple-help.com and download the software. Its a very lite client. See if you are able to connect outside of your network. Im having no luck....

 

[allanc]

Hmm no reply. Does anyone want to help out? Go to simple-help.com and download the software. Its a very lite client. See if you are able to connect outside of your network. Im having no luck....

We are using it.
It has some bugs (doesn't all software?).
Even knowing what I know now, I would purchase it again.

 

[allanc]

Hmm no reply. Does anyone want to help out? Go to simple-help.com and download the software. Its a very lite client. See if you are able to connect outside of your network. Im having no luck....

Maybe a simple question but are you running the server portion?
If so, where, what platform, etc?
Do you have a static IP?

 

[AlphaCS]

Im running it on a windows 7 pro machine. I do have a static IP

 

[allanc]

Im running it on a windows 7 pro machine. I do have a static IP

What type of message are you getting on the client side?

Also, check the ports that the server is using compared to the client.
Again, check that the port settings in the admin tab match up with the URLs (see below).

EDIT: For example, my client hyperlink is http://proven-solutions.dyndns.org:8088/
My tech hyperlink is http://proven-solutions.dyndns.org:8088/tech
Firewall issues on either the server or client computers?

 

[MichaelsComputerServices]

I use Simple Help all the time and would never think about changing. I have had no problems and it has always performed flawlessly.

 

[AlaDes]

I have used Simple-Help in the past but have opted to start using ScreenConnect instead. Both are nearly identical in the way they work and I love the simplicity for the EU. The only regret I have is that I didn't purchase SC first; Not because one is better than the other but because I prefer to support my fellow technicians when I can.

One major advantage of SC over SH is if you decide to grow your business and ever need an unlimited license. Also, if you are an ACBRO member (paid member or not), you qualify for a discount and with SH you don't.

I also use Teamviewer as well because of the simplicity for myself and the ability to work on multiple PCs without having to connect and disconnect when switching from one client to another. Once I'm connected to a client's machine using SC, I then install Teamviewer. I find that each of these remote tools compliment one another very well.

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

Not because one is better than the other but because I prefer to support my fellow technicians when I can.

huh? what fellow technician you supporting? both are software companies with one choosing to advertize on here

One major advantage of SC over SH is if you decide to grow your business and ever need an unlimited license. Also, if you are an ACBRO member (paid member or not), you qualify for a discount and with SH you don't.

If going for unlimited i dont think i would chose either TBH

I also use Teamviewer as well because of the simplicity for myself and the ability to work on multiple PCs without having to connect and disconnect when switching from one client to another. Once I'm connected to a client's machine using SC, I then install Teamviewer. I find that each of these remote tools compliment one another very well.

WHY??? simple-help/screen connect/teamviewer can all be installed as service i struggle to understand why log into client with 1 solution then install another.


As for OP best to think of simple-help as that trusted old beatup truck. it may not be the fastest or flavour of the month but but when all else spluttering to a halt it will plod along to the finish.

 

[eliforp]

I use SH in my shop and cannot say as I have a problem with it! I have it on a win7 box with a static ip and a url pointing to that IP. All of my clients have it as a favorite and I load the client where needed. Over all I have to say between the price and usability I would choose nothing else It always works for me

 

[TheShakoMaster]

I use it, and it's great.

I have been using SimpleHelp for about 3 years running on a GoDaddy CentOS VPS. It's very stable and my main reasons for choosing it are:

1) Simple for my clients to understand. All they needed to do was go to a webpage and accept some prompts in order for me to connect. Also, once connected I could install a persistent connection so they'd never have to be hassled with connecting again.

2) It was multi-platform. Even though most of my clients are on Windows, I wanted the flexibility of having one tool to handle it all.

3) It was cheap and did not require a monthly per seat expense.

With that said, I had never heard of ScreenConnect before perusing the TechNibble forums but it does seem very similar in terms of functionality and pricing.

 

[allanc]

1) Simple for my clients to understand. All they needed to do was go to a webpage and accept some prompts in order for me to connect. Also, once connected I could install a persistent connection so they'd never have to be hassled with connecting again.

Would you happen to know what an error 'null' means when trying to install a persistent connection on a Windows 2000 sp4 computer refers to?
I reset the remote computer and the same error reoccurred.

 

[TheShakoMaster]

Would you happen to know what an error 'null' means when trying to install a persistent connection on a Windows 2000 sp4 computer refers to?
I reset the remote computer and the same error reoccurred.

I don't know that I've ever had a W2K client. But I would try the following:

1) Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on the W2K machine (if relevant)

2) Make sure that you're installing it while logged in to an account that has Admin rights on the W2K machine

3) Maybe make sure you are running the latest version of SimpleHelp Server (and if it's on Linux atleast, make sure it's running as 'root'. The server seems to run a lot better if it's being run as 'root')

4) If you aren't going the Java route, try running the standalone version of SimpleHelp client (non-Java), then try to install the persistent connection.

I hope one of those ideas helps you out. SimpleHelp can be kind of finicky sometimes.

 

[allanc]

I don't know that I've ever had a W2K client. But I would try the following:

1) Make sure you have the latest version of Java installed on the W2K machine (if relevant)

2) Make sure that you're installing it while logged in to an account that has Admin rights on the W2K machine

3) Maybe make sure you are running the latest version of SimpleHelp Server (and if it's on Linux atleast, make sure it's running as 'root'. The server seems to run a lot better if it's being run as 'root')

4) If you aren't going the Java route, try running the standalone version of SimpleHelp client (non-Java), then try to install the persistent connection.

I hope one of those ideas helps you out. SimpleHelp can be kind of finicky sometimes.

Received some help from Simple-Help tech support.
They suggested manually downloading the Gateway from their Web site and running the executable to install which worked.

 

[bertie40]

Sorry, I read "Simple help" as the title of your post, and took it as a newbie question, not an actual program.

Maybe why no-one replied initially.

I use Teamviewer primarily, after trying others, I've never even heard of "simple help", even in these forums.