AOL ANNOYANCES

AOL DIAL-UP DOESN'T SUPPORT MULTIPLE LOGONS

The Annoyance:

After the host computer logs on to AOL, users on the other computers get an error message that says the account is in use. What's the point of a shared Internet connection if only one person can be online at any one time?

The Fix:

This annoyance is an AOL exclusive. However, with some versions of AOL, your client users might be able to get to the Internet after the user on the host computer has logged on to AOL. The logon to AOL establishes a network-wide Internet connection.

In this scenario, client users aren't logged on to AOL, but they are physically connected to the Internet and can surf the Web. They have to use the version of Internet Explorer that comes with Windows instead of the AOL version of IE (which is a blessing, not a curse, because the AOL version of IE isn't as good as the built-in version of IE).

See the AOL help files to see whether your version of AOL supports this. If not, you must upgrade the AOL software on every computer. Of course, client users who are on the Internet aren't logged on to AOL with their screen names, so they can't get their email.

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Tip: AOL has a plan, called AOL Broadband, which permits multiple screen names to log in.

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AOL MIGHT NOT WORK WITH ICS

The Annoyance:

We use ICS for our telephone modem, and when our host computer (running Windows XP) connects to AOL, none of the client computers can reach the Internet.

The Fix:

Some AOL versions (e.g., Version 7) can't coexist with ICS. You need to download the latest version of AOL (http://www.aol.com).

AOL BROADBAND REQUIRES DOUBLE PAYMENTS

The Annoyance:

We signed up for AOL Broadband so that our whole family can log on to AOL at the same time. AOL isn't a broadband ISP, so do we have to buy ISP services?

The Fix:

The only thing AOL Broadband Services buys you is the ability to have up to seven simultaneous screen names, at a hefty monthly charge. You also have to pay a monthly charge to your broadband provider. There's no fix for this, so if you like AOL, you have to live with it.

MIXING BROADBAND AND DIAL-UP AOL ACCOUNTS

The Annoyance:

We moved from dial-up to broadband Internet access, but we want to continue to use our AOL mail accounts and participate in IMs. Is there a way to do this?

The Fix:

You'll have to continue to pay AOL for an account and get your mail from the AOL web site. AOL offers a lower rate for users who have their own ISP. Only one screen name at a time can be logged in. Each user must open Internet Explorer and travel to http://www.aol.com. Log in (the Login box is on the right side of the window). Once you're logged in you can access your mail and participate in Instant Messaging.

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Tip: AOL offers a free IM software application for non-AOL members. You can download the software (AIM) from the AOL web site (http://www.aim.com/).

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DEFAULT ROUTER SETTINGS DON'T SUPPORT AOL LOGINS

The Annoyance:

After we moved to broadband Internet access and installed a router to share the connection, we signed up for AOL Broadband Services. Now we can't log in to AOL.

The Fix:

You need to reconfigure your router for AOL access. Luckily, you can get to the Internet through your broadband ISP, so go to the web site of your router manufacturer and search the support pages for information on AOL. Most routers require a rather complicated and convoluted configuration process to support your AOL login needs. You might have to disconnect the modem from the router and connect the modem directly to one computer's network adapter to perform the tasks involved in setting up a router for AOL.