How do I use Outlook on two different computers?

mudman · 03-17-2009, 11:11 AM

Not even sure what to ask, but what is the best way to do this?:

I have my office PC, which I use most of the time, will do work on it when at home, and serves me well but isn't mobile. So I just got a laptop (showed up a couple of hours ago), hoorah, mobility of data.

How is the best way to sync my stuff, I guess not just outlook, but music, proposals, spreadsheets, etc? There must be an easy way to do this!

I plan to use the laptop when on the road and want to be able to be working on many files on the office PC and then continue working on those files on the road. Also need to use email and not go between both computers searching for correspondence from a week ago.

what can I do to make this work?

mudman · 03-17-2009, 11:13 AM

to avoid confusion - my office is at home - (1)desktop and (1)laptop

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

use the laptop only.
as far as I know you can only use it on one PC effectively.
You can try using your Blackberry to port info, but I've no success trying to us outlook on 2 pc's. You'll get half your emails on one and half on the other.

Maybe try a web-based service?

I'm no expert fwiw.

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudman

to avoid confusion - my office is at home - (1)desktop and (1)laptop

maybe sugarsync? https://www.sugarsync.com/

you can also use a hosted exchange server for your Outlook emails. A cheaper alternative is to simply set your Outlook to leave the emails on the POP server when you check them.

KFC911 · 11:20 AM

You need to establish a "remote connection" to your office PC, then it would be just as if you were sitting in front of it. Are you doing this totally on your own, or does your co have support that can assist you?

edited...oops, I missed this about your "home office". Still, since it's not just mail, but file access you desire, you need what I suggested.

mudman · 03-17-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

You need to establish a "remote connection" to your office PC, then it would be just as if you were sitting in front of it. Are you doing this totally on your own, or does your co have support that can assist you?

edited...oops, I missed this about your "home office". Still, since it's not just mail, but file access you desire, you need what I suggested.

Is this where 'office live' might work?

Sure wish I could just hire somebody to figure this out... but since I have trouble making payroll with just me on it right now...

ikarcuaso · 03-17-2009, 11:32 AM

http://www.gotomypc.com

stomachmonkey · 03-17-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMentat

A cheaper alternative is to simply set your Outlook to leave the emails on the POP server when you check them.

That's your answer.

Think about the steps.

Mail is sent from A (sender) to B (your mailbox) and is retrieved by C (your computer)

You can point as many computers at B as you like.

Just set Outlook preferences on all computers to "Leave a copy on the server".

You can even set how long the copy stays, 3 days, 30 days, forever, until deleted etc...

legion · 03-17-2009, 11:39 AM

I can check my e-mail from any computer in my office.

You must have an Exchange server set up (not running Outlook as a stand-alone).

Beyond that, I don't know what the settings need to be.

mudman · 03-17-2009, 11:41 AM

Whoa whoa whoa Miss Lippy, I have a website, not sure how much space I have, but couldn't I upload stuff to my website and then download as needed to my laptop?

I think the 'leave mail on the server' option is best for my Outlook dilemma

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 11:47 AM

I still think that a "remote connection" is a single solution that solves all of your requirements (without the potential for getting files, spreadsheets, etc. "out of sync"). I've personally never used gotomypc (maybe someone else can vouch for it), but that's the right concept. If you attempt to manually upload/download, trust me, one of these days you'll screw up the "juggling of files" and overlay your efforts on the "other pc". Just my .02...

mudman · 03-17-2009, 11:51 AM

Keith, you know me well.

Does anyone have cheaper alternatives to gotomypc? Isn't there something built into Vista or Office2007 like this?

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 11:56 AM

Back when I was employed

...I used the built in function of Windows for remote pc connections, but you will still need a way to access the pc if you're not on "the network" (I used a broadband VPN connection for that). Maybe someone else can offer alternatives...I didn't even look at the cost of gotomypc (is it pricey?), and another question, is the info proprietary (i.e. is security an issue)?

ikarcuaso · 03-17-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudman

Does anyone have cheaper alternatives to gotomypc? Isn't there something built into Vista or Office2007 like this?

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/f55326fa-e629-423b-abba-b30f76cc61e61033.mspx

mudman · 03-17-2009, 12:15 PM

I think I can do a VPN as I have Vista Premium and think that was one of the 'premium' features. And I do have a broadband connection for the desktop.

I'm not a computer geek (but I do learn fast) so I'm not sure I know what I'm saying

gotomypc is $20 a month which is big money (to me) for a convenience that I've survived without.

Security isn't really an issue, I don't think so anyway. Not that I'd like to hand the info to my competitors...

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Dump Outlook!

Set yourself with a Google G-Mail account and use all the features you're probably used to using in Outlook. Contacts, Calendars, Tasks, etc. You can access this from ANY computer...even the ones down at the local city library!

As for accessing your files, pick yourself up a Seagate FreeAgent Go and simply store everything to that.

Randy

mudman · 03-17-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikarcuaso

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us/help/f55326fa-e629-423b-abba-b30f76cc61e61033.mspx

That would be perfect except that my host computer runs Vista Premium which for some reason isn't allowed. I'm going to keep looking into that though, it is essentially gotomypc for free.

KFC911 · 03-17-2009, 12:20 PM

That's a great link for info, but one still has to be "on the same network" for a remote desktop connectoin to work via the Internet (VPN is one solution), and gotomypc seems to be another alternative. I didn't go far enough into their site to see the $...anyone know how much?

slodave · slodave's Garage

What is your home connection? DSL- dynamic I.P. or static... Cable...

If dynamic DSL or cable you can setup a free account at Dyndns.org, here you can create a "domain" name that will always be attached to the revolving I.P. addresses (dynamic). You have to setup your home router (Linksys, Dlink...) to update the I.P. info to the Dyndns account and about once a month, they will send an email with a link to keep the account active (free service).

You would also need to have the router forward the RDP port (3389) to one computer. Once this is done, you should be able to log into your home computer- also needs to be setup to allow remote connections. Quick and dirty, but with minimal security.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudman

That would be perfect except that my host computer runs Vista Premium which for some reason isn't allowed. I'm going to keep looking into that though, it is essentially gotomypc for free.

How to enable RDP in Vista:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/turn-on-remote-desktop-in-windows-vista/

EDIT: Here's a link that talks about how to enable RDP in Premium.
http://portal.tonychan.org/Default.aspx?tabid=58&EntryID=123