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FAQ's:

How do I logon (or off)?

Click one of the three login links on the bottom of the company home page.  These links are labeled "1024x768", "800x600" and "640x480".  Information on how to choose between these logins is given here.

The first time you login from any given computer you will also be asked to accept an ActiveX download.  You must accept this. If your computer appears to refuse the ActiveX download, add the company home page to your list of trusted sites by following the instructions here.

You may see a warning regarding "full screen mode", click "ok" to ignore this.   You will be asked for your username and password.  After a few seconds you will see the remote desktop appear in your browser window and you can begin work.

To logoff click the REMOTE SESSION'S start button (NOT the start button of your local computer) select "shut down" and then select either "log off" or "disconnect" - you won't be given an option to shut down the computer.  If you "disconnect" then the next time you log on you will find all your programs running just where you left them.  If you "log off" all of your programs will be closed and you will be presented with a fresh desktop the next time you log in.

Note, many systems are configured to automatically log you off and end your programs after a certain period of inactivity, usually an hour or so.

What is the remote desktop?

When you log in to the remote desktop you see the screen (a.k.a. the "desktop") of a computer at the company headquarters.  This computer makes the programs and data of your company available anywhere in the world that an internet connection is available.  This computer is set up so that several people can use it at the same time.  However, as far as any user can tell, he/she is the only one using it.

Where do I get a username and password?

You use the same username and password you use in the office.  If you are a new associate have your manager contact Xantrion requesting a password and giving us a way to contact you (phone number or e-mail address)

What equipment do I need?

A computer running some flavor of Windows, connected to the internet, with Internet explorer 4.0 or, preferably, newer installed.  The faster your internet connection, the better.  You don't need the latest computer though since all the processing is done at the remote server.  

Where do I store my company files, where do I access shared company information?

All work done in the remote session is stored on the company's computers.  For most companies, when you open the little computer icon on the desktop, you will see a few "mapped network drives" with drive letters generally greater than E.  These drives are shortcuts to the places in the network where the company's files are stored.

How can I improve the speed of the desktop?

Get a faster internet connection.  A dial-up connection will work but you will likely find the experience a bit frustrating.  A DSL or cable modem connection is ideal.  Contact Xantrion if you would like assistance or have questions about getting one set-up.  Getting a new faster computer will not help, your internet connection speed is the almost always the limiting factor.

Can I connect from anywhere in the world using any internet connection?

Almost.  If you sit down at a computer inside a large company, you will likely have a firewall between the computer and the internet which may interfere with access to the remote desktop.    Dial-up connections will run slowly.  AOL has notoriously slow connections.  Other than these restrictions, you can access the desktop from anywhere in the world using any internet connection. 

What sorts of things interfere with the remote desktop and what can I do about them

Firewalls interfere.  If you think you might be behind one, you can have the local network administrator work with Xantrion to allow access through the firewall on port 3389.  If this is impractical or not permitted, the fall back position is to use a laptop to establish a dial-up connection to the internet.  Be sure to borrow a fax line to dial out, most company phone lines are not suitable for use in establishing a dial-up internet connection. 

The security settings of the Internet Explorer browser you are using can also interfere.  To ensure you don't have problems with this follow the instructions for adding your company home page to the list of "trusted sites" here.

What if I need to print something?

If the printer is directly attached to your computer it should be visible in the list of available printers in your remote desktop session.  To check this look for the printer in your Remote Desktop session (not on your local computer).  To see if the printer was installed in the remote session to Start --> Settings --> Printers and look for a printer identical to yours.  When you find it right click the printer and select "properties".  The "properties" page has a "print a test page button".  If you don't see your printer or you can't print the test page contact Xantrion and we will work with you to configure your printer.

Can I save files to my local computer?

Yes, but you shouldn't.  Files should be saved in the remote desktop session on the company's server which is secure and regularly backed up.  If you really need to do this contact us and we will tell you how.

How do I get the remote screen to properly fill my local screen?

To expand the remote session to cover your full screen, press the CTRL+ALT+PAUSE/BREAK keys at the same time.  The same keys reverse the process.   Note: for some laptops, such as the Sony Viao, the BREAK key can only be accessed by also holding down the Fn key.  So for the Sony Viao (and some others) you have to press Ctrl + Alt + Fn + Break to toggle full screen mode.

Also, experiment with High Res, Medium Res and Low Res login choices to find the one that gives the best fit.

How do I get rid of the annoying "your security settings..." warning?

These instructions also solve problems with computers refusing the ActiveX download.

- In Internet Explorer go to the "Tools" menu and select "Internet Options". 

- Select the "Security" tab.  Click on "Trusted Sites". 

- Ensure that security is set to "low" for this zone. 

- With "Trusted Sites" still selected, click on the "Sites" button. 

- Clear the "require server verification" checkbox. 

- Type "Http://www.yourcompany.com" without the quotes in the "add this web site" box. 

-  Be sure you substitute the correct URL for your company's home page e.g. www.xantrion.com

- Click the "add" button. 

- Click "ok" and "ok" to get back to the main browser. 

You will not see the pop-up message any more and your computer should now accept and run the needed ActiveX download.  If you use another computer you will have to do this again.

Can I use AOL, Netscape or my ISP supplied browser rather than Internet Explorer?

You can try, but only Internet Explorer is fully supported.  Did you know that, once logged in to AOL, you can minimize the AOL window and begin to use Internet Explorer?  ISP's such as Earthlink or local telephone company often supply custom, branded browsers that they ask you to install and use.  If use of the custom browser seems to be required for login, do so but then minimize the custom browser and launch Internet Explorer.  The latest version if internet explorer is available here: