AOL compatible with Windows Xp

Hi,
I wanted to inquire if anyone heard and / or knows for sure that AOL 9.0 is not compatible with Windows Xp. I do a fair amount of troubleshooting computers and never heard this. Wanted to make sure this is one of those things that did not get by me ?

 

AOL will work with XP. Why anyone would WANT to use AOL with all of the alternatives available is the mystery!

Johanna

do a search on the BBS for AOL

 

I second Johanna. I've tried AOL and had a heck of a time getting rid of it (took 2 months of calls, and finally had to stop payment). Like M$ it takes over your computer, which I think is abominable. I favor a local ISP and use one, and I don't get any ads or spam.

 

Hi,
Thank you for the reply's...Here's a little bit of the scoop. This particular customer let their Norton Virus Protection expire 2 years ago and complained that some times they could and could not get into AOL 9.0 that they just upgraded from 8.0...My attempts to get into were hit and miss. I was unable to get into MSN, Internet Explorer or the Control Panel to remove AOL 9.0...I could not get into System Restore either. When I was able to get into AOL 9.0 and tried typing an address in the address box it would boot me out and return to the desk top. I was able to get into Safe Mode and that was almost like pulling awisdom tooth. The owner of the computer called Dell to verify that the computer was still under warranty and even though it was "Thank God ", tech support advised him that his problems were because AOL 9.0 was not compatible with Windows Xp (I never heard of that). They also said to install an 8.0 disk to remove the 9.0 (which I never heard of). So I posted here to see what others knew...I personally think it needs to be restored to day one...

 

I totally agree, unless you want to spend a few days playing with it. You'd probably have to do an online virus scan and run spybot and adaware, and finally hijackthis to get rid of everything including manually deleting what you can.

I'd like to see you fdisk it first before you format it so the mbr and system areas get cleaned too.

 

Hi,
I'm not sure what the owners pleasure is right now but I mentioned that an fdisk/format thing is what I beleive is what's needed to be done. Without being able to run the proper scans such as the ones you mentioned, getting things out will be beyond the call of patience...Thanks for your assistance...

 

There have been alot of problems with 9.0 I know several that had to first install 8.0 then upgrade to 9.0 to get it to work. AOL adds a lot to the registry. Over 1500 entries with the older versions, then wants to update everytime you sign off, changing/creating more entries and files. I installed a 7.? version using a program called total uninstall, which tracks all changes made when installing and allows you to completely reverse/remove all changes. After using it for 3 days I uninstalled, then searched the drive and registry and removed about another 300 entries. Most invasive program I've ever used!

 

I hate how ISPs seem to think they have the right to tell us what software to use. One time I needed help with something on my ISP, and they refused because I was using Mozilla instead of IE. That's total ****!

 

Remove the drive and put it in a clean machine with current virus defs as a slave drive. It's the quickest easiest way to clean one without loosing data.

Lots of folders to clean out also. The virus scan and ad aware scan will give you clues of what you need to delete.

 

Hi,
The person I was trying to assist also had another tech helping. The owner and other tech are going to try and Install AOL 8.0 tonight. I tried advising that the computer has error messages coming up saying Internet Explorer has encountered an error and needs to close, and as long as that problem (amongst others are present) that I do not beleive AOL can be installed or in this case where it had 8.0 before installing 9.0, that 8.0 can be installed over this Internet Explorer problem. So as I sit in limbo over who's right. I guess the next step such as even attempting the steps you suggested are on hold for now...Will keep you posted...Thanks again.

 

My computer would regularly lock up when i had AOL as my ISP. Various programs "not responding" etc etc. Try something else as AOL is a pile of **** in my opinion. Im not qualified enough to tell you exactly whats wrong with it but i can assure you that after using AOL Broadband for 18 months i have now gone onto Zen here in the UK ( number one business ISP here ) and i have not looked back. Computer can now be left on for days without locking disconnecting or crashing. That was impossible with AOL !

 

Hi,
Thanks for the input, hear ya' all loud and clear...Myself personally I do not use it but when called upon by someone who does I try to avoid telling them what to have as I find most people use AOL due to finances...