Remote Assistance can be a very useful tool when it comes to troubleshooting computer problems or needing help performing a procedure. Using Remote Assistance, another individual can connect to your computer to view your desktop or take remote control of your computer (of course, with your permission).

There are a few different ways in which you can ask another user for Remote Assistance. One way is to send the appropriate user an email. You can use this method by completing the steps that are listed below:

1. Click Start and select Help and Support.

2. Under Ask for assistance, click Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance.
3. Click Invite someone to help you.
4. Under ‘or use e-mail’ type in the e-mail address of the user you want to invite or click the Address Book button and select the contact.
5. Click Invite this person.
6. In the From field, type in the name you want to appear on the invitation.
7. Type in a message.
8. Click Continue.
9. Specify the duration that the invitation will remain open.
10. Remove the check beside the Require the recipient to use a password option if you do not want to password protect the invitation. If you opt to use a password, keep in mind that you will need to somehow communicate this password to the user.
11. Click Send Invitation. A message will appear indicating that your e-mail was sent successfully.
12. Once the recipient has accepted your invitation, a message will appear. Click Yes to allow the remote user to connect to your computer.
13. A similar message will appear if the user attempts to take remote control of your computer. Click Yes to allow the remote user to take control of your computer.

An alternative method to sending an email containing your request for remote assistance is to send the request through Windows Messenger. You can use this method by completing the steps that are listed below:

1. Click Start and select Help and Support.

2. Under Ask for assistance, click Invite a friend to connect to your computer with Remote Assistance.
3. Click Invite someone to help you.
4. Under Use Windows Messenger, click the contact you want to send the remote assistance invitation to.
5. Click Invite the person.
6. Once the recipient has accepted your invitation, a message will appear. Click Yes to allow the remote user to connect to your computer.
7. A similar message will appear if the user attempts to take remote control of your computer. Click Yes to allow the remote user to take control of your computer.

[tags]microsoft,xp,diana huggins,remote user,remote assistance,ask for assistance[/tags]