So Over Screenconnect!

[Digital Sage]

Wish i'd never purchased this product.

Look i'm sure it works well for Windows users. But as a mainly mac guy supporting Mac's and running it on a Mac Mini Server, it's been a nightmare.

Firstly was the speed using the Mac client. Slow. I'd fire it up on my Windows virtual machine (inside the mac) and it would be heaps faster!

Then, the problems with the installer on mac clients. They'd release an upgrade and it would stop working. You'd have to patch some files to make it work. You have to download Java to make it work. Then, it would drop out and you'd loose the session. Restart and other toolbox commands just don't work. Upgrade client doesn't work. It's useless.

Then once they fixed the mac client, you would have to download a new file EVERYTIME to launch a session. You'd end up with a massive amount of downloads with the same file name.

I gave up on using my Mac as the host, Windows via parallels was the only way to go.

Then, i upgrade to Yosemite. Now, the server is dead and just doesn't work. They have no ETA on the fix. Yosemite officially comes out in the next fortnight.
I haven't been able to do ANY remote support for any clients, haven't been able to install the application file on any new computers either.

Oh, and if you use Kaspersky, which i love, it simply doesn't trust screen connect and you can't control Kaspersky remotely at all.

GRRRR!!!!

Seriously considering Team Viewer os similar. More pricey but at least it works!

 

[Xander]

If Kaspersky is configured to allow SC as an exclusion, you can interact with it. When I install Kaspersky, I import a short list of exclusions which include SC's and MBAM's files.

 

[JakeFromScreenConnect]

Sorry about your experience.

It sounds like your main issue is with the server piece running on Yosemite. I believe that's been fixed internally, and is just waiting to be merged for release. But because Yosemite hasn't been released yet and the fix is kind of significant, it doesn't just get integrated willy nilly.

It also sounds like you've been on the forefront of a lot of our Mac development. We don't always get it right at first, but I can't remember a time when we've broken working stuff in a stable release.

I'm not sure why you're downloading a file for each time you launch. We've had a bundle for quite some time that does not depend on Java for technicians or support sessions for customers (though yes, our unattended os x still has a Java dependency). You should contact support to have them look at it.

 

[Digital Sage]

Sorry about your experience.

It sounds like your main issue is with the server piece running on Yosemite. I believe that's been fixed internally, and is just waiting to be merged for release. But because Yosemite hasn't been released yet and the fix is kind of significant, it doesn't just get integrated willy nilly.

It also sounds like you've been on the forefront of a lot of our Mac development. We don't always get it right at first, but I can't remember a time when we've broken working stuff in a stable release.

I'm not sure why you're downloading a file for each time you launch. We've had a bundle for quite some time that does not depend on Java for technicians or support sessions for customers (though yes, our unattended os x still has a Java dependency). You should contact support to have them look at it.

Can you tell me, is there any way i can migrate my existing saved sessions to a new install? I just want to put it onto a windows 7 box and be done with it.

I only use the 'unattended' i believe, as it's an installer file i can use to mount. Actually i'm not sure, it's been so long since i could actually USE IT!

& Yes, that duplicate file issue exists, it downloads one every single time you want to launch a remote session... i've seen others post about it on the forum.

If you could advice how or where i can find out how to move the database over to a Windows box, at least i can get using it again. Cheers.

 

[Digital Sage]

If Kaspersky is configured to allow SC as an exclusion, you can interact with it. When I install Kaspersky, I import a short list of exclusions which include SC's and MBAM's files.

Any chance you could go through exactly how you do this? I can see the exclusion rules, but to add one it wants a file, object and rule comment. Will this work so i can actually interact with screen connect remotely? That's my biggest issue, simply won't allow it and i can't check my clients settings at all.

 

[mrapoc]

Have you contacted support? They were quite fast at answering my questions

 

[JakeFromScreenConnect]

If you could advice how or where i can find out how to move the database over to a Windows box, at least i can get using it again. Cheers.

Move App_Data\* from one install to the other.
Move the AsymmetricKey web.config setting from one machine to the other.

Those are the basics.

I'd call our support and have them handle it for you.

 

[Xander]

Any chance you could go through exactly how you do this? I can see the exclusion rules, but to add one it wants a file, object and rule comment. Will this work so i can actually interact with screen connect remotely? That's my biggest issue, simply won't allow it and i can't check my clients settings at all.

http://support.kaspersky.com/2695

Can't find a screenshot but, IIRC, it's the fifth box when adding the actual exclusion...something about "allow interaction".

 

[FilthX]

http://support.kaspersky.com/2695

Can't find a screenshot but, IIRC, it's the fifth box when adding the actual exclusion...something about "allow interaction".

Checked the url but it doesn't mention anything about importing a list of exclusions. It would be ideal to have the ability to put that on a script... Could you be so kind and help us with this issue?

 

[Xander]

Nope. Google's your friend. I never implied that the earlier link was a How-To export; I was answering a different question when I gave that link.
You can only import, btw, when you've set up a KAV password and it could be done in a script.

 

[FilthX]

Nope. Google's your friend. I never implied that the earlier link was a How-To export; I was answering a different question when I gave that link.
You can only import, btw, when you've set up a KAV password and it could be done in a script.

Thank you very much mate. Will try it asap with a password. Had tried it without one and it wouldn't import the exclusions in Kaspersky internet security. Thanks again.

 

[Digital Sage]

I am ready to blow.

Screen Connect JUST released a version that actually WORKS with Yosemite, and i get my client on board ready to do some remote support after over a month of it not working.

Have him on the phone, download it, give it permissions, etc (It's a nightmare to get it working on a mac), and what do you know.

The software tells me it's no longer valid : License not valid with product version. License valid with versions dated 9/12/2014 or before. Current version is dated 10/14/2014.

So, basically, because it hasn't worked for a month, and because they didn't get a release working until yesterday, i have to PAY to upgrade just to get the latest release that actually works.

SO FRIGGIN MAD.

They sent this in an email two months ago :

You are receiving this message because you purchased a ScreenConnect license almost a year ago and we wanted to make sure you were aware of our upgrade program. First, no worries your current license and software version will continue to work indefinitely. But if you would like to continue receiving our free software updates and support for another 12 months we would encourage you to take advantage of the program.

Problem is, if their client STOPS WORKING with the latest update of OSX, it does NOT work indefinitely!!! which means now i have to cough up more money to get it working again.

 

[JakeFromScreenConnect]

I thought you were installing on windows?

Anyway, There's a pretty simple fix for older versions of ScreenConnect with Yosemite. It's just a change to a launchd config file where Apple changed some behavior for Yosemite.

It's not our policy to let customers get so mad. You should really talk to our support guys. They're very helpful.

 

[Digital Sage]

I thought you were installing on windows?

Anyway, There's a pretty simple fix for older versions of ScreenConnect with Yosemite. It's just a change to a launchd config file where Apple changed some behavior for Yosemite.

It's not our policy to let customers get so mad. You should really talk to our support guys. They're very helpful.

Why didn't you tell me this last week when i said i couldn't use the product for over a month?

I've contacted support already. Right now, i have the latest build because going off what you told me, Jake, it would work with Yosemite. This was also mentioned on the forums in a thread i was posted it. So, naturally going off what i've been told by both yourself and Alex (?) in the forums, i downloaded the latest release, and now my licence is invalid.

 

[mrapoc]

I'm sure the support team would be willing to sort you out all things considered. Glad you kinda got it sorted

 

[krtechsolutions]

i thought MAC just worked and didn't need any support? lol joking aside make sure you contact a companies support team directly prior to going public with an issue.

Would you like your clients to go public on facebook with an unhappy review if they didn't contact you first?

 

[Digital Sage]

i thought MAC just worked and didn't need any support? lol joking aside make sure you contact a companies support team directly prior to going public with an issue.

Would you like your clients to go public on facebook with an unhappy review if they didn't contact you first?

1. Mac's need support, that's what keeps me in business. Have you used a Mac? Mac's work fine, 95% of all software i've ever used (I run four macs at home) has been great, no issues. Unfortunately, screen connect was one of the most troublesome pieces of software i've come across. It's still not digitally signed by apple, you need to grant it permission to run outside of the normal security arrangements. Right now, i still cannot get the client software to install correctly on Yosemite, the latest OS. Tried it yesterday whilst at at clients place, and it keeps asking for Java to be installed, even thou it's installed. This is probably the 30th time it's not worked or failed on me. Really frustrating. I'll try another update and see if that sticks.

2. I've sorted out my issue with them directly. They were helpful in the end (it took about a week to completely resolve) and it's now working again.

3. This isn't facebook.

 

[dimosgmx]

I created an account just to praise Screenconnect and I am in no way affiliated with them. I run it on Windows Server 2008 R2 and so far I haven't had a single problem controlling remote systems(including windows, mac and linux platform) from Windows, Mac or Linux. Granted, the Mac client is not as appealing or functional as the windows one but I think this has to do with Java on the Mac platform. But it does get the job done everytime(I would love to see the SC team implement a native app written in swift or objective-c) and much quicker and more efficiently than Teamviewer. Not to mention the price can't be beat.

 

[AliceKlaar]

Not to mention the price can't be beat.

@dimosgmx... that is what I call a truly ironic statement. Now that Meekah has retired some users of ScreenConnect may have an increased TCO

 

[Knightsman]

Kasperksy doesn't allow most remote software to interact with it. It's not simple a screen connect fault. I know with Windows, if you forgot to allow interaction, you can remotely edit the registry (using a backend tool) and disable it. Not sure what one can do with a mac.