Try logmein.com. Free and it works.

Are you talking about connecting while both on your home network or from outside your network into your home desktop? Also, is your XP version Home or Professional? Internally and externally I use the built in Remote Desktop Connection setup. I know some people that use TightVNC in the same manner as well. I prefer using RDC though.

Yep, we need more info. If you want to use the computer within your own home network, just use Remote Desktop. If you want to use it from outside your own network, then you're going to need a VPN client to remote in.

You actually don't need the VPN when using remote desktop. I use remote desktop externally without it. I used to use straight IP, then went to using a dyndns account to now having my own domain. Slowly move up the totem pole.

Haha well that is certainly one way. I guess I just don't want to suggest something that might be a little unsecure or confusing. If he wanted to use RDP with straight IP, he would need the external IP given by his ISP, then he would need to configure his security settings to allow RDP connections. With a VPN client, he could just allow his machine using his own credentials and basically filter out any other VPN or RDP request. Is that possible between XP and Windows 7 clients?

I could be totally wrong here too! :P

Edit: What is dyndns by the way? I've never heard of it or know what it is so maybe that could be something he could try? I'm so confused now lol!

True on the VPN being more secure, but then you have to setup the VPN connection in as well. I guess without knowing the technical abilities of whoever is going to be setting things up it's hard to determine an "easy" way. Some people's ideas of easy is different. There are a decent about of different ways for remoting internally and externally it's really just a crap shoot when it comes time to decide which one you want to use. Just look at the requirements and go from there.

I've never been a fan of the VPN option myself because of the way, when I first designed my network setup, because it just wasn't an option. Didn't work right. Now that I have my own DC and a few other items I could switch to that. With how much I work at client sites and use my home machine to test communication though, I would have to setup an array of items to allow these connections in and out from certain IP ranges. Not that it would be that hard, but more hassle than I currently want to deal with. That and I really hate making changes to Pix unless I absolutely have to. Damn little thing is finicky. Can't expect much for what I paid but it doesn't like to be messed with.

Dyndns is where you can create a free account and then setup a subdomain under something they have like .kicks-ass.net so "username.kicks-ass.net". Basically allows you to input your IP address so instead of remembering that you can just use name resolution to point to your setup. A lot of consumer users don't get static so that wouldn't always work but they do offer little programs to help out with that. From there you can use a program that runs on your home pc to automatically update your Dyndns account with your current IP address so you could always use name resolution to connect to your setup from outside. http://www.dyndns.com/

Are you talking about connecting while both on your home network or from outside your network into your home desktop?

Outside the network

Also, is your XP version Home or Professional?

Professional

Well from here you can decide what you want to do. I recommend just enabling remote desktop on your XP box while using a dyndns account to allow you to use name resolution instead of remembering the IP address all the time. You will also need to make a change to your router to allow traffic from outside to your XP box on port 3389 and allow remote desktop connection on your Windows Firewall.

Personal preference mind you. All combined the steps involved in the above is like, maybe 15 minutes.

I don't have a router though, i'm on a campus internet. logmein.com works but isn't very high-quality

logmein.com worked great the last time I used it regularly (had to switch to VPN & RDP w/ Windows Built in Remote Desktop due to work security protocol).

I'm surprised someone had quality issues with it as it seemed to have tons of config options and was pretty flawless. Was it just that the desktop screen resolution was a bit off when you were using it?

VNC is what you're looking for there's a bunch of different clients and servers. I think i used to use RealVNC.

I've also heard a new one TeamViewer over at PortableApps.com