AOL emails

I have removed the AOL software from my computer, but would like to access my old emails. Is there some way, or some text editor I can use to read my old emails without reinstalling the AOL or without using their website. I also cannot find my aol email address book.

 

You can use any email client - Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Live, Incredimail etc. Here's a couple of links to get you started once you have chosen the client you want to use:

http://email.about.com/cs/aoltips/qt/et050704.htm

http://email.about.com/cs/aoltips/qt/et052504.htm

 

Thanks for this. I am the poster's son helping her. Will these programs allow viewing old emails prior to the deletion of AOL? The ones she already accessed and stored using AOL's software? Thanks.

 

Probably not depending on how the AOL account was configured. If it was set to delete from the server after download, which is the usual default, they will not download again in the new email client you use.

I misunderstood your original request in that you were solely trying to access the old emails, not just access the account going forward.

What you could do as a one-time thing is go ahead and configure one of those clients to access the AOL mails system, then go on to the AOL website to access you existing emails and simple forward the ones you wish to keep to the same email address. You can then download them with the new client (keep the new client open and click send/receive button to instigate download with new client after forwarding each email. Laborious - yes; but works).

 

Ok. thanks. Is there a text editor or some other program that can be used to read the old emails saved on the hard drive with AOL's program, or must we reinstall AOL to read those old emails?

 

Wat is the file extension of the email files? Is it .pfc?

 

Will need to check next time I am at their house. Will let you know. Many thanks.

 

Ok, so I setup the email in Outlook Express as per the article, and was able to download all AOL emails into OE. However, unable to send emails through OE. Error says "an unknown error has occured. Account Server smtp.aol.cm, protocol SMTP, Server Response: 421 Cannot connect to SMTP server 205.188.159.148 (205.188.159.148.25), connect error 10060, port 25 Secure (SSL) No, server error, 421, Error Number 0x800CCC67."

 

I'm assuming you meant smtp.aol.com, not cm as you typed?

The link I gave you for the smtp set up also suggested using port 587, not 25 as you stated.

I have removed your email address from your post to stop spam harvesters reaping it.

 

Thanks Lev, fixed the port # and the outbox is clearing out. Emails work now! Again, AOL is uninstalled hopefull for good. Can you tell us how to retrieve the old address book of contacts for AOL?

 

When I closed my aol account all info went to the aim account. Try logging in at www.aol.com via IE, Firefox, or whatever web browser you are currently using, enter your old user name and password.