New to the game with a crashing, freezing Dell

Hello to all. As I said, I'm so new I don't know what "overclocking" is. But I want to learn everything. Have started by going over site. I think my question is far too general, or I don't know how to make it specific. Here it is:

I have a 550 mhz pentium three processor--a Dell Dimension L550r,

AOL 8.0 is on it with little else but 2000 Mic. Works Suite.
When using AOL it crashes often and freezes. Also, it gets kicked off-line (have a simple phone cord hook up--nothing fancy like DSL or the like).
Don't know if it's because computer is four years old--a PIII, even at 550, should be more than enough right?--, if it's AOL 8.0, if its the budget hook-up, or something else.

Thought about reformatting hard drive, to "clean it up" but don't know if that will improve performance or not.

Would appreciate any help on the matter. Thank you much

 

as for getting kicked off line.. you might want to check Dell's site for updated modem drivers for your system.

 

Alternately, look for new access numbers in your area for AOL.

 

Thanks guys. A nd Battlangel, my parents already have cable. But I've wanted to throw the thing out the window! Dang Dells and AOL

 

what is the operating system?
Whatever it is, go and update it, windows update is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ there

aaand like kodo said go look for new drivers for everything. You never know it might be somthing totally different thats causing the problem.

 

Updating drivers and getting rid of AOL should make a difference...