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Home » Technology Issues

Technology Issues

November 4, 2020 by A. Cemal Ekin
Technology issues. Move Over TeamViewer Chrome Remote Desktop is Here

The more we use technology, the more problems may emerge and technology issues may force your hand. That is the nature of the beast. The source of the problem may lie in each solution provider thinking they offer the best. Sometimes it is true but when it is not, watch out.

Technology Issues 1 – TeamViewer not a Team Player

A while back, I wrote about a remote connection tool to help others. TeamViewer has been a useful tool for me to help friends and family with their problems on their computers. It has provided a simple connection that allowed me to see and control the other side’s computer. This worked well until about three weeks ago. When my friend Jim asked me to connect to look at a Lightroom question, I was stopped by the TeamViewer application prevented me from connecting with a message that they detected professional use of the program rather than the free personal use.

I searched and visited their site and following their instructions, I submitted a request to remove the block. The next morning, there was an e-mail informing me that the block was removed. We tried once more, and once more I was blocked. I repeated the request submission to remove the block two more times and received the same positive e-mail that the block was removed. Not so! Next time I would be blocked because they detected heavy use. Come again?

I visited a page on their site, Community, and posted my problem hoping that they would read and provide a solution. It turned out that the “Community” meant a crying wall for all the people having the same problem. I have visited the forum area and there was not a single reply from any TeamViewer support staff but many posts complaining about the same kind of block on their use.

Technology Solution 1 – Chrome Remote Desktop to the Rescue

After some more research, I found out that the Google Chrome browser had an extension for remote desktop connection. It is free and does not require any new account creation. If you are interested in using this service, visit the Chrome Remote Desktop page and follow the simple instructions. You can even use the Firefox browser if you like.

  • Click on the Get Support
  • Allow installing the add on
  • You will now see a button “Generate Code”
  • Click on the button, and copy the one-time code and send it to the person who will connect to help you
  • The person who will give support visits the same page
  • Copies and pastes the code into the field “Access Code”
  • Click on “Connect”
  • Presto! You see the other side’s computer screen
  • Keep in mind that the generated code is valid for 4-5 minutes

From now on, TeamViewer will be named in my book as TeamBlocker!

Technology Issues 2 – Chrome Browser Rendering Problem

On very high-resolution screens, some browsers push their assumptions on your user experience. Probably done with the best of intentions, it can potentially create problems for some users, namely Web site designers. And, I have experienced a problem and spent a lot of time trying to figure out a solution.

The Chromium engine magnifies all the elements of the screen, including the content on quad density screens like my Microsoft Surface Book 2. The consequence is that the elements now take up more space on the screen. My everyday browser is Firefox, and it renders all the elements as expected. A content area that is set at 800-pixels remains at that and renders on my screen as 1600 pixels because the system magnifies everything 200%. But when using either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge which uses the same Chromium engine, that width becomes 1850 pixels, representing a 925-pixel content area instead of 800 pixels. The following screen captures are maximized browsers with a digital measuring ruler for comparison.

Firefox Rendering
MS Edge Rendering Before the Fix

Technology Solution 2 – Window Device Pixel Ratio

My research led me to a page on the Firefox site talking about “Window Device Pixel Ratio” and sure enough, in Firefox I would get the correct 200% magnification but on Chrome that would be a higher magnification. I wrote to the theme developer with whom I had communicated before in case he might have some insights. Alas! You can try visiting the page in Firefox, and in Chrome or Edge, scroll down until you see a purplish rectangle showing the current magnification. You may notice the higher-than-expected magnification.

Firefox correctly renders and identifies
MS Edge renders larger than necessary
MS Edge correctly renders after the fix

Doing further research, I stumbled on a remarkably simple fix which I will share with you in case you may be fighting the same battle. It involves changing one of the application properties. That’s it! Here are the steps with screen captures below them:

  • On your desktop or in the program folder, right-click on the application icon, Chrome and/or Edge
  • Select “Properties”
  • Click on the “Compatibility” tab
  • Click on “Change high DPI settings”
  • Put a checkmark to override high DPI behavior
  • From the drop-down list, choose either “System” or “System (Enhanced)”
  • Click OK to close the open windows going back
  • Restart Chrome or Edge
Compatibilty tab, Click on Change high DPI setting
Check Override, then choose System or System (Enhanced)

You will see a noticeable change in appearance. The icons, text, tabs at the top will become slightly smaller. Now open a page with known width and see how it should look as intended by its creator! Here are the screen captures of MS Edge before and after the fix. Done!

MS Edge Rendering Before the Fix
MS Edge Rendering After the Fix

Related

Category: Computer, GearTag: Gear

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sal Capirchio

    November 4, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    Cemal-Thanks for this! I haven’t run into any issues yet but have heard other folks who have.
    By the way with using Chrome Remote Support, once you enter the access code on the support side…does the other person “need to accept” that request for support?? (that is, for you to connect?)

    • A. Cemal Ekin

      November 4, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Sal, there are dozens of people asking for help and there is not a single word from the TeamViewer support team. I gave up after 4-5 tries.

      After sharing the code, the support provider enters that code in the field and connects. There is no additional acceptance or passwords required. The code expires relatively quickly, 4-5 minutes. So, both sides need to be ready to start a session before creating the code. If you maximize the browser screen, you have the full usable space and works like a charm.

      Cemal

  2. Haluk Atamal

    November 4, 2020 at 11:12 pm

    My case with TeamViewer is worse: I had paid a tremendous amount of money and bought a “lifetime” license a few years ago. I am now stuck at 13 because if I upgrade to 15, I have to pay again (OK they generously offer 50% discount but the amount is already too high for a monthly subscription). I cannot get connected to version 15 computers. I resort to AnyDesk, until they too start following the same path.
    Thanks for the information Cemal.
    Take care and best regards,
    Haluk

    • A. Cemal Ekin

      November 5, 2020 at 8:21 am

      Sorry to hear your experiences with them, even with the paid version. Not a likeable company and they act contrary to their name. Chrome Remote Desktop works for me and a couple of friends who occasionally need help.

      Take care, be safe, stay safe,

      Cemal

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