AOL User Needs Your Help

Major Attitude · May 31, 2004

Heres an email I got, not sure of the answer, not knowing AOL really well.

Hi Tim,
I only found your web site a couple of days ago and I have been trying to find my way around there in hopes of seeing someone else asking about the same problems I am having.
I downloaded both Ad-aware and Spybot on the advise of a customer service rep I talked with at Microsoft. I use Microsoft ME. They both have found spyware and adware on my computer and I think they took care of it but now I can't load the free virus scan at TrendMicro.com. I am a disabled housewife on a limited budget and while I know I should have some sort of antivirus software on my computer, I don't. Does my not being able to use the scan at Trendmicro have anything to do with using the other two anti spyware programs?
My other problem is with my AOL software. I had been using their computer check up function and one of the problems it found a number of times was that my AOL software had appeared to have stopped working or crashed at some point and it advised me to reinstall it. I did that even though I really wasn't having any problem with it. Eventually I had 4 copies of AOL 9.0 in my computer. See, I have good reason to feel like an idiot. At any rate, I uninstalled 3 copies and have lost one of the e-mail options called Mail Art in the end. All the mail art function is are little drawings that you can add to your e-mail but I really liked it. I asked for help from the AOL live techs and have tried everything they could think of but it still doesn't work. I even sent for a new 9.0 CD and installed it but that didn't work either. Do you have any idea what the trouble could be?
I read in your instructions that I should give details about my computer but I really don't know much about it. The company my brother works for got computers for a special project but they had no use for them after the project was over and offered them to the employees. So my brother got one for me. It's Dell....
Thanks in advance for your help,
Sam

Kodo · May 31, 2004

I saw this the other day on my neighbors laptop. I ran ad-aware and spybot on his machine and then I tried to hit HOUSECALL and it wouldn't load. Didn't have the time to investigate but he isn't using AOL. Tying this together leads me to believe that one of the programs is doing something and is most likely not AOL related.

Brian C · May 31, 2004

Ok.........Long time AOL user here. (6 years). I'm online about 6 hours a day, EVERY day. In 6 years, I've lost my connection FOUR TIMES, and only TWICE, have I not connected on first try. So now that I've pointed out that I LIKE AOL, we can get on with the possible problems.
First off, make sure your computer falls within the specs needed for 9.0. If it doesn't, install a version that does. Do a nice clean install. Uninstall the following programs:
Real Player,ViewPoint Media Player,AOL Coach,QuickTime,
then finally.....AOL itself.
Then do a search for ALL FILES AND FOLDERS named AOL. Delete them.
Now, install AOL. LEAVE THE CD IN the drive the whole time. You may have to restart the comp one, or two times during the install (as the DUN/RAS, and AOL adapters are installed). LEAVE THE DISK IN thru all the restarts. After all is done, sign on, and let the welcome page,quick find, and buddy list windows load. Wait a minute, then sign off. AOL will do an update. LET THE UPDATE COMPLETE ! Then sign on again, then off. Repeat this till no more updates load at sign off. Close AOL, restart computer, defrag, then restart again. Done! If your using 9.0, get rid of the "AOL Companion". It's not needed, and just uses up resources. 9.0 ALREADY has a new mail counter, so the Compainion is useless. Just hit the "X" on the Compainion to close it, and when the close message appears, untick "auto launch companion", and tick "do not show this message again". Now, on the AOL toolbar, hit "settings" then choose "Internet{web}Options". Hit the tab that says "Shopping Assistant". Uncheck the Shopping Assistant. Now you can go turn on the Pop-Up controls while you're in the settings. THAT is a trouble-free install !!!
Keep in mind, the results of computer checkup, are taken from log files. If you dropped your connection an abnormal number of times, or if the software has had to dial access numbers an abnormal number of times to connect......Checkup will return a trouble message. If you STILL experience problems after the new install, go to www.pcpitstop.com and run the "full tests". Pcpitstop has solved many mysteries for me in the past.
Good Luck, Brian

harry · Jun 1, 2004

Just to add a little aside.

I run Pest Patrol and it found that "housecall" had adware in the shape of "Bridge" in it.
Deleted "housecall "and all is fine.
If Sam already has Adaware,Spybot, and Aol Popup Blocker, would not just the addition of a firewall such as Zone Alarm be sufficient? Then ,if neccessary at any time, programs such as "Housecall"etc could be downloaded for a "one-time" use.

@Brian Do you utilise AOl Firewall, and if so , is it good?

Cheers,
Harry.

Brian C · Jun 1, 2004

@Brian Do you utilise AOl Firewall, and if so , is it good?

Cheers,
Harry.[/QUOTE]

No I don't Harry. I use Norton Internet Security 2002 Firewall/Antivirus. (another software program that people say stinks. LOL) So I guess I'm kinda a rebel. AOL and Nortons. haha. NOTHING has ever got by Nortons since I installed it. But like anthing else, it's all about keeping it maintained, so it's properly configured.

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