AOL question

[bhath19]

We cancelled AOL (very good idea) about five months ago and still cannot sign on to our names using AIM. I know this is typical and I heard they usually hold onto it for awhile just in case you would want to pay way too much for internet service and sign back up. How long is this period usually, I heard now it's usually 1 - 2 years. Is this true? Also I heard that they now offer, for a montly fee, that you can get that old screen name and use it for AIM and AOL Webmail. Can someone put some truth into this dilemma? Thanks.

[osprey4]

You used to be able to keep your AOL s/n on AIM (provided it was registered with AIM) after you dropped AOL but that is no longer the case. So after cancelling AOL, your AOL s/n is put back in the pool and can be used by anyone. They do not hold these for any length of time. Obviously, you can keep your AOL account alive for as little as $6/mo, but you're too late for that.

[bhath19]

It hasn't been given up yet though. It always says, "Sign on blocked" and that is b/c the account can still be activated. So I still don't know what there is to do about it.