RU Serious's community posts
How To Prevent Changes to RU Agent Settings?
RU Serious,
User (Posts: 5)
Aug 21, 2020 2:37:19 pm EDT
Support level: Free or trial
I have set up RU Agent on a single machine with multiple users. While logged on with my normal account (which has admin rights) I created a password for "Settings Protection". When I log on again under that same account, I now must enter the password if I want to change any settings. This is good.
However, if I log on under another account (to simulate another user logging on and then using the computer) and run RU Agent, I can go to the RU Agent settings screenwithout having to enter a password, and when I look at the Settings Protection, the "Password protect settings" is not checked under the new user. This means that a user could accidentally (or even intentionally) modify the configuration of the RU Agent Host program without having to enter a password.
Is there a way to password protect the program one time for all users with a single password? This way they can log on to the computer, and if they need my help they can run RU Agent (from a desktop shortcut I set up), but they can't make any changes to the configuration of RU Agent (because they don't know the password, only I do)?
FYI this is on a W10 Pro machine running RU Agent v6.10.10.0.
However, if I log on under another account (to simulate another user logging on and then using the computer) and run RU Agent, I can go to the RU Agent settings screenwithout having to enter a password, and when I look at the Settings Protection, the "Password protect settings" is not checked under the new user. This means that a user could accidentally (or even intentionally) modify the configuration of the RU Agent Host program without having to enter a password.
Is there a way to password protect the program one time for all users with a single password? This way they can log on to the computer, and if they need my help they can run RU Agent (from a desktop shortcut I set up), but they can't make any changes to the configuration of RU Agent (because they don't know the password, only I do)?
FYI this is on a W10 Pro machine running RU Agent v6.10.10.0.
Can't See Pointer on Host Computer
RU Serious,
User (Posts: 5)
Aug 20, 2020 11:20:43 am EDT
Support level: Free or trial
Polina,
Yes the screenshot is what I saw connecting to both machines remotely using [censored]. I experienced the same issue when the viewer was my local machine, but I was still looking at the host through [censored].
The computer in question controls laboratory equipment at our university, and I mainly need to train users on the software that controls this equipment. Because of social distancing guidelines, the room with both the computer and lab equipment is now too small to have more than one person at a time. Therefore, because of the pandemic, I am trying to figure out how to remotely do training sessions (which I used to do in person before the pandemic). Since I am currently doing all my work remotely, I've been testing out various screen sharing programs as much as I could by pretending to be both student and teacher (and performing both roles remotely).
As I said at the end of my previous message, I realize that this pointer 'problem' may not actually exist once I am able to have someone sit in front of the host monitor. I just have no way of knowing yet if that is true (other than taking your word). Once I can confirm that a user in the room with the host system can see the pointer when I move it around, I will let you know (and will obviously let you know if they can't see the cursor). I just started using RU this week, so I had no idea if this problem was a known issue, or simply a result of my viewing both machines remotely.
By the way, thank very much for your prompt replies. That means a lot more than you may realize!
Yes the screenshot is what I saw connecting to both machines remotely using [censored]. I experienced the same issue when the viewer was my local machine, but I was still looking at the host through [censored].
The computer in question controls laboratory equipment at our university, and I mainly need to train users on the software that controls this equipment. Because of social distancing guidelines, the room with both the computer and lab equipment is now too small to have more than one person at a time. Therefore, because of the pandemic, I am trying to figure out how to remotely do training sessions (which I used to do in person before the pandemic). Since I am currently doing all my work remotely, I've been testing out various screen sharing programs as much as I could by pretending to be both student and teacher (and performing both roles remotely).
As I said at the end of my previous message, I realize that this pointer 'problem' may not actually exist once I am able to have someone sit in front of the host monitor. I just have no way of knowing yet if that is true (other than taking your word). Once I can confirm that a user in the room with the host system can see the pointer when I move it around, I will let you know (and will obviously let you know if they can't see the cursor). I just started using RU this week, so I had no idea if this problem was a known issue, or simply a result of my viewing both machines remotely.
By the way, thank very much for your prompt replies. That means a lot more than you may realize!
Can't See Pointer on Host Computer
RU Serious,
User (Posts: 5)
Aug 20, 2020 7:39:08 am EDT
Support level: Free or trial
Unfortunately, none of the suggested options resulted in a visible pointer.
I tried enabling legacy capture mode - still no pointer.
I then tried beta agent and beta portable viewer (and tried the various options I used with non-beta, including legacy capture) - still no pointer.
BTW, I tried connecting to the host machine using both the 'Internet-ID-connection' and the 'Direct connection' options - no difference in pointer visibility.
I uploaded a dual screen shot (viewer on left, host on right) showing the discrepancy between the two screens. You can see the pointer on the left, but it's missing on the right (though the drop-down menu selection is clearly shown).
I also discovered (remembered) a temporary work-around: I enabled the option "Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key" (under Windows 'Mouse Properties' -> 'Pointer Options' - see my other uploaded screenshot). This creates an animated series of diminishing concentric circles focused on the pointer location. While it's not as useful as my moving the pointer around a specific section of the screen, the moving circles should at least help to get the user's attention to where the pointer is. I just have to keep remembering to do this (since I will still be seeing a pointer on my side of the connection).
Now all of this may be moot if the pointer is visible to a user who is actually sitting in front of the host monitor. Once I am able to get someone to do that (probably not until next week), I'll post here and let you know the results. In the meantime, let me know if there's anything else I can try.
I tried enabling legacy capture mode - still no pointer.
I then tried beta agent and beta portable viewer (and tried the various options I used with non-beta, including legacy capture) - still no pointer.
BTW, I tried connecting to the host machine using both the 'Internet-ID-connection' and the 'Direct connection' options - no difference in pointer visibility.
I uploaded a dual screen shot (viewer on left, host on right) showing the discrepancy between the two screens. You can see the pointer on the left, but it's missing on the right (though the drop-down menu selection is clearly shown).
I also discovered (remembered) a temporary work-around: I enabled the option "Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key" (under Windows 'Mouse Properties' -> 'Pointer Options' - see my other uploaded screenshot). This creates an animated series of diminishing concentric circles focused on the pointer location. While it's not as useful as my moving the pointer around a specific section of the screen, the moving circles should at least help to get the user's attention to where the pointer is. I just have to keep remembering to do this (since I will still be seeing a pointer on my side of the connection).
Now all of this may be moot if the pointer is visible to a user who is actually sitting in front of the host monitor. Once I am able to get someone to do that (probably not until next week), I'll post here and let you know the results. In the meantime, let me know if there's anything else I can try.
Can't See Pointer on Host Computer
RU Serious,
User (Posts: 5)
Aug 19, 2020 5:23:37 pm EDT
Support level: Free or trial
Yes, I did try the "Always" option (before I made my original post). I'll try the legacy mode, and if that doesn't work, I'll try the beta.
If those don't work I'd be happy to give you a screenshot (unfortunately, I can't do a video) - but how do I show you a screenshot of a pointer that isn't there?
If those don't work I'd be happy to give you a screenshot (unfortunately, I can't do a video) - but how do I show you a screenshot of a pointer that isn't there?
Edited:RU Serious - Aug 19, 2020 5:25:10 pm EDT
Can't See Pointer on Host Computer
RUSerious,
User (Posts: 5)
Aug 19, 2020 3:38:09 pm EDT
Support level: Free or trial
NOTE: I am going to use the term "Pointer" to indicate the little graphic that moves around when you move around the mouse. RU settings seem to use both "Pointer" and "Cursor" to sometimes mean the same thing.
I am testing out RU to hopefully use for remote training. For testing purposes, I am connecting to the host machine remotely using a remote desktop connection (specifically Cisco AnyConnect). The host machine at work (W10 Pro) is running v6.10.10.0 Run-only Agent. The remote machine at home (W10 Pro) is running v6.10.10.0 Portable Viewer. Both machines have working mice and keyboards.
The connection works fine, both host and remote screens are the same resolution, so all is behaving properly, except the pointer is not visible on the host machine. Highlights and tooltips show up when the pointer hovers over a location, but you can't see the pointer itself from the host machine. The reason this is important is that I want to be able to move the pointer around something on the screen (for example, circling the pointer around a specific area to draw attention to it).
Now maybe this issue is simply because I am connecting to the host computer remotely, and if someone were actually physically in front of the host computer, they would see the pointer, but I haven't been able to get another person to sit there to test it that way just yet.
I also tried running the viewer from another office machine (W10 Pro) and connected to that computer using AnyConnect as well, and then used RU to connect between the viewer and the host (so I was remotely connected to both computers), and I still experienced the same issue with the pointer.
I can see the pointer on the Viewer computer regardless of which side is controlling it.
I played around with some various settings ("Local Mouse Pointer" & "Rendering of hosts cursor") on the viewer, but this had no effect. I didn't see anything similar on the Agent application, so I wasn't able to test out anything on that end.
Without RU running on the host machine, the pointer shows up just fine.
Any suggestions as to what else I can try?
I am testing out RU to hopefully use for remote training. For testing purposes, I am connecting to the host machine remotely using a remote desktop connection (specifically Cisco AnyConnect). The host machine at work (W10 Pro) is running v6.10.10.0 Run-only Agent. The remote machine at home (W10 Pro) is running v6.10.10.0 Portable Viewer. Both machines have working mice and keyboards.
The connection works fine, both host and remote screens are the same resolution, so all is behaving properly, except the pointer is not visible on the host machine. Highlights and tooltips show up when the pointer hovers over a location, but you can't see the pointer itself from the host machine. The reason this is important is that I want to be able to move the pointer around something on the screen (for example, circling the pointer around a specific area to draw attention to it).
Now maybe this issue is simply because I am connecting to the host computer remotely, and if someone were actually physically in front of the host computer, they would see the pointer, but I haven't been able to get another person to sit there to test it that way just yet.
I also tried running the viewer from another office machine (W10 Pro) and connected to that computer using AnyConnect as well, and then used RU to connect between the viewer and the host (so I was remotely connected to both computers), and I still experienced the same issue with the pointer.
I can see the pointer on the Viewer computer regardless of which side is controlling it.
I played around with some various settings ("Local Mouse Pointer" & "Rendering of hosts cursor") on the viewer, but this had no effect. I didn't see anything similar on the Agent application, so I wasn't able to test out anything on that end.
Without RU running on the host machine, the pointer shows up just fine.
Any suggestions as to what else I can try?