Another way to connect to AOL?

[rrcn]

I use AOL as my ISP and would like to know if I can create my own dial up connection to connect to the aol service without having to use their program. If there is a way, can you please tell me how I can go about this?

Thanks in advance.

[MadMan2k]

If you're using Windows, it should be fairly easy.
In 9x, find 'dial-up networking' (it's in My Computer in 95, not sure about 98, haven't used it much), then create a new connection, enter the phone number AOL gives you (if they do), and username and password, and try connecting.
In XP or 2000, go to control panel, then 'network and dial-up connections', then create a new connection, and enter the same.
I know someone who was able to connect to AOL without using their software, but they might have updated it since.

[rrcn]

I'll give it a try and come back with the results.

[Siliconjunkie]

A normal dialup connection won't work.

There used to be a 3rd party dialer, but don't recall where. Best thing to do is to dump AOL and get a real ISP. AOL is overpriced anyhow.

[rrcn]

yea, i just tried using a standard dial up connection and if I enter just my username, i get this error:

"error 691: Access was denied becuse the username and/or password was invalid on the domain."

But if i put in my "username@aol.com" i get this error:

"error718: the connectin was terminated because the remote computer did not respond in a timely manner. For futher assistance, click more info or search help and support center for this error number."

I remember a few years back when I used to use netzero's free internet, there was this little program called rasspy which would ping back my actual username and password that netzero would use to connect. Then I would enter that info that I'd get from rasspy into the dial up connection and it would connect. Tried it on aol but it cant ping back anything.

[Edit]: Sorry, but changing my ISP is not an option. If I can dial-up without the AOL software, then great. But if I can't, then thats fine, but I guess I'll have to stick with AOL's software.

Anyone have any ideas?

[MadMan2k]

I like Earthlink, they let you use any dialing program you want. It works with Arachne (a DOS-based browser), windows 95, ME and XP, and linux
And I'm sure any other OS with a standard PPP dialer.

[embj]

There used to be a third party dialer for AOL as stated previously but, I, not having used AOL before don't know what it is/was.

Trying to use a DUN connection using XP's dialer won't work as you already know because AOL uses a special type of authentication through the dialer. I have RR cable internet and when I go on a trip I use the dialup that RR offers for free if you subscribe to RR cable. I have to use a special dialer to connect because of RR, being owned by AOL Time Warner, uses AOL's servers.

Say...I just thought of something....

Why don't you try to use the RR dialer....it allows you to use IE as your browser. When it asks you for a user name don't just put in your SN, put in your full email address (ie., you@aol.com).

Here's a link to the dialer: http://dialaccess.rr.com/dialers/dialers.html

[rrcn]

Thanks embj for the link, I'll give it a go.

[Edit]: What's this about:

(From the link embj gave above)

You must provide us with your account information to use Road Runner Dial Access. If you have not done so, please click here to register now.

[HeadBand]

if that dosent work i saw something about a basic dialer for aol made by aol but i don't see the point

the only reason i could see anyone ever using this is for its 'features' if they are really in need of it's 'ease of use' so whats the point for paying $25 a month for a baisc dialer

my suggestion is check you local yellow pages you can usually find something for around $10 a month that dos'nt require any 3rd party junk

[embj]

Originally posted by rrcn
Thanks embj for the link, I'll give it a go.

[Edit]: What's this about:

(From the link embj gave above)

You must provide us with your account information to use Road Runner Dial Access. If you have not done so, please click here to register now.

Don't worry about that...that's only if you are an RR customer. Only RR customers have to register because that gives us clearance to connect to AOL's server.