How to Connect to a Linux PC From a Windows XP PC

1. On your Linux machine, open your 'System' menu, then 'Preferences.' Select 'Remote Desktop.'
2. Make sure these boxes are checked in the 'Remote Desktop Preferences' box that pops up: 'Allow others to view your desktop' and 'Allow other users to control your desktop.' It is a good idea to set a password for the remote user on this screen as well.
3. Click the 'Advanced' tab. Here you can set other options such as alternative ports, encryption and connection settings. Checking the 'Disable the wallpaper when connected' option is a good way to save on bandwidth if you are on a slow connection.
4. Find the IP address of the Linux computer. IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are how computers locate each other on networks. Click 'Accessories' and then 'Terminal.' In the screen that pops up, type the following command: 'ifconfig' (no quotes). Your IP address is a series of 4 numbers separated by dots, for example: 192.168.1.7. Write it down. If you will be connecting to this Linux computer from a local network, go to Step 7. If this computer is behind a router and you will be connecting to it from across the Internet, go to Step 5.
5. Login to your router by opening up a web browser and navigating to 'http://192.168.1.1'. Enter the router admin name and password. On the first screen, you should see a 'Properties' or 'Status' screen. Look on this screen to find your router's external IP address. Write it down. Look for 'Advanced' or 'Expert' settings on the menu and click. Go to Step 6.
6. Click the 'Port Forwarding' feature. When it asks for a 'Service Name,' type in 'VNC Client' or something easy to remember. On 'Beginning Port' and 'Ending Port,' type in '5900.' Under 'Computer' or 'Server' name, type in the IP address of the Linux computer you wrote down in Step 4. Do this for both the 'TCP' and 'UDP' connections. Some routers will let you do both at the same time. Save the configuration file. Go to Step 7.
7. Go to the Windows XP PC. Download and install VNC (Virtual Network Computing) software. Real VNC is one example of a free and open source VNC client.
8. Start the VNC program. In the box that pops up asking for the computer name, write down the Linux computer's IP address from Step 4. If you are connecting from across the Internet and through a router, enter the router's IP address from Step 5. Click 'OK'.
9. Enter in your Linux password. Once logged in, you can now work remotely on your Linux computer from your Windows XP machine.