AOL connection problem on home LAN

[Arjay13]

I have 2 PC's hooked to a Dlink 704 router which is connected to a cable modem. One PC (win98se) uses IE for browsing while the other Pc (WinME) has AOL 7 for browsing etc. for the kids. Both PC's access the net fine using IE. The PC with ME hangs frequently using AOL to browse. AOL tech support ran me through a uninstall/reinstall ending up with the same problem. They claimed there was a network conflict and that the problem wasn't theirs.

The way I see it, if the PC works OK with IE then the problem IS theirs. Any ideas about this guys? Thanks for the advice.

[snaggle]

Why go with AOL? Why won't you go with another Internet Provider?

___/Snaggle\___

[Arjay13]

I use Optimum for my ISP. I personally don't care for the garish stuff on AOL but the kids like it.......

[Tazman]

My brother made the mistake of calling AOL tech support two weeks ago while I was in NY. They had him unistall IE??? The only fix I had after I got back was a full format.

Here's how you do it.

Before you begin, disable AdSubtract if you are running it as it will cause AOL to not connect to the net, just check your email. Actually, it's best to disable anything running in the task bar as AOL will conflict with most programs running in the background. If you connect to the net through a proxy server - disable that as well (Control Panel - Internet Options - Connections tab - Lan Settings button - uncheck Use Proxy Server.

1. Uninstall AOL 7 on the ME PC through Add / Remove Progams. . After rebooting, chech to make sure IE gets on the net.
2. Reinstall AOL 7. When it gets to the part asking for New Members or Existing Members - choose New Members. Finish installing the software and reboot when it tells you to.
3. After rebooting you'll get to the sign-on screen. When it asks if you would like to set up an account or use an existing account - choose Existing Account. Put you're user name and password in and click on Setup and then Expert Setup (lower right corner). On the devices tab choose the TCP/IP - LAN device.
4. Close that box and get back to the sign-on screen and sign on.

With any luck that should do it.

Don't ask how I have the unfortionate ability to know this and the AOL techs don't. What scares me is AOL is advertising thier broadband all over the place but they can't tell thier customers how to set it up.

If you need more help, let us know, my brother has given me a whole lot of oppertunities to fix broadband and AOL conflicts.

Mike

[CERuppel]

I have heard of a 'kid friendly' IE skin/browser...

I'll check my links and post back, meanwhile I hope this sparks a memory in someone (because I have alot of ground to cover).

BYB

[CERuppel]

Well...

Can't find the one I remember, but here is one 'kid safe' web browsers. Hope it helps. Oh, and if the kids are into chat, remember that you can get the AIM as a seperate program.

http://www.surfmonkey.com/

Sorry...

[Tekk]

yeah I would suggest dropping AOL. Its just sooooo much more trouble than its worth. As CE said...you can get a kid friendly browser and that whole chatty thing you can do through AOL. And AIM is a great chat proggy too. Its actually the only AOL software I will allow on my computer Im actually dissappointed ICQ never got as big as IM did (ICQ is big but most people I know dont use it...its mostly popular in online game communities).

So the verdict = get rid of AOL !!!!!!!!

[BFlurie]

Do you run the stand-alone IE instead of AOL's version? Generally, the stand-alone IE running with AOL minimized might work alittle better when web-browsing. Also, close all other progs when running AOL & IE.

[Arjay13]

Thanks for all the input Guys! First of all, I absolutely agree that AOL is more trouble than it is worth, not to mention how intrusive the software is. Unfortunately, I do not have a choice in the matter. Second, AIM is a good program. Third, Tazman, thanks for the detailed reinstall instructions. I'll give them a whirl. Hopefully, I won't need to tap your expertise again but you never know....By the way Tazman, about where are you in the Adirondacks? I have relatives in Tupper Lake and camp near Saranac Lake every summer (just curious, I won't drop by...promise!).

[Tazman]

Drop on by! I'm about 15 minutes from Lake George (Lake Luzurne) which is between Saratoga and Lake George. Beautiful country, eh? We've had visitors from all over the world visit the area and fall in love (my brother is a ham radio guru - along with laying with AOL - he's gonna kill me for that) with the area.

I say that as I sit in hot humid Tampa Florida for the next couple of months. Speaking of visitors, we just had a couple down here visiting from Ireland (they've been to the Adirondacks 5-6 years ago to visit). I go back and forth quite a bit during the winter but got tired of the driving (3 times so far since November) and flying is such a hassle now.

As for AOL - I have the same policy as Doc seen at http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...&highlight=aol . I don't understand how come MicroSoft doesn't sue AOL for pretty much changing thier o/s with the install. But I'll keep my comments to myself er, did I say that out loud? I keep my opinions about AOL pretty much to myself so I don't start a war - here to help with anything I can and if it happens to be AOL well....

Good Luck! and let me know how it turns out.

Mike