Re Installing AOL

[smurfchops]

How do I Un install AOL before Re installing it again ? I want to get rid of all the old AOL logos.

[Jugglering]

Start / Control Panel / Add or Remove Programs / AOL Uninstaller

To install it again, I presume you just put the CD in your CD Drive and your pc should automatically detect the software to be installed.

[smurfchops]

Thanks jugglering, I'll give it a go.

[sparko33]

Aol leaves a lot of crap behind in the registry as do a lot of progs, so if you can, get a copy of registry mechanic and run that after the uninstall (create restore point first) and you will be amazed how many items are just sitting there slowing things down.
Colin.

[smurfchops]

Sparko, let me double check with you. Delete AOL. Then system tools/system restore; then System Mechanic - is this it and do I have to pay for it ?

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Registry-Tw eak/Registry-Mechanic.shtml

Then Install new AOL. Is this right ?? I have also found that using Mozilla Firefox is a quicker way to use the web. When should I load this ? I am trying to remember to only use AOL for emails, otherwise Firefox.

[sparko33]

Smurfy, Not quite. You need to create a restore point before you make any changes to the registry. I'm assuming you are quite new to this and although 'registry mechanic' has this facility, it is in the options and can be overlooked. That is why i recommended creating one first just in case.
Start/all progs/accessories/sys tools/sys restore. Create restore point.
Whilst it is not a nescessity to use a registry cleaner and as juggs said just reinstall aol from the cd, i just find it helps to keep windows running a bit sweeter.
Download the trial and run it.
Officially you should pay for it but follow this link and see how you go.
http://www.serials.ws/index.php
Use Firefox for everything if you can.
Hope this helps.
Colin

[smurfchops]

Thanks, I'm not technical and need as much help as possible ! I lost all my Favourites a couple of weeks ago when AOL had a complete meltdown, and had to System Restore, then I didn't have Firefox, it was a complete muddle. I just want everything back to normal! All my emails saved, Favourites, Firefox etc.

[smurfchops]

Hi all, still having problems. I uninstalled and reinstalled, discovered I couldn't get any of my email address book, it was empty. So I restored back to 13 March, as since then I have lost my Favourites as well. So now it won't even open AOL ! It keeps telling me to reinstall AOL. I have reinstalled it once again, and it still doesn't work. Help please ! I am using Firefox for the Answerbank.

[sparko33]

Hi smurfy
One thing i forgot to ask is are you using xp or vista?

[smurfchops]

Hi sparko, thank goodness you are there. I'm using XP. I went into Control Panel, removed AOL although there were a couple of extra AOL things I didn't remove ... I didn't remove AOL Coach Version 1 and AOL you've got pictures. I used AOL uninstaller. Then I reinstalled. It opened up automatically but I had lost all my address book, still have lost all my Favourites. Then two times out of three, I can't connect to AOL. I get the DBB dialup OK, but I had the message last night Error Loading .. AOL Compantion DML file ... Reload AOL again. So didn't uninstall but reloaded AOL again, it's like going round in circles, sometimes I can get online and sometime's I can't. Also I went into Sign On Options and there were no modems listed. I have a BT Voyager 100 modem with three green lights. Sorry to ramble on, but have more problems since reinstalling than I had before ! Should I uninstall ALL the AOL items listed previously, and just start from scratch? They are absolutely useless if I ring them.

[smurfchops]

Since last thread .... still having probs, have phoned AOL technical this morning, and they say 'If you have connection problems, please close down and re open your computer. If you still have problems please contact us'. Do u think it is a problem with AOL and just a coincidence I reinstalled at the same time ?? I just feel like my computer needs a good clean out ! I have done a disk cleanup recently.

[sparko33]

Hi smurfy.
As i've never had or used aol i thought i'd do a few googles and it seems that you're not alone. You have more than likely allready done some searching but try this first.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6121_102-0.html?fo rumID=45&threadID=113848&messageID=1292242

Secondly download from here.

http://info.aol.co.uk/downloads/

Might be worth trying an earlier version if still no luck with 9.
Sounds as though there maybe something slightly corrupt left over after the uninstalls/installs and is lurking in the registry that is not allowing you to install over it.
Did you manage to run registry mechanic? Even the trial version will list all reg errors so a carefull look at the findings will show how much has been left behind.

Follow the info in the first link.
Download from second.
Run a reg cleaner.
The link i posted for serials will do most progs just persevere.
Re-install aol 9 vr (vista ready) or go back to version 8.
Keep in touch
Col.

[smurfchops]

Hi sparko, and thanks for reply and links. I googled Registry Mechanic after your previous thread, it found over 1,000 items which needed deleting .... then they wanted me to pay before they deleted them, so I didn't take it any further. I phoned AOL again this morning, they admit THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONNECTION, (in case any other AOl users read this) so I am keeping my fingers crossed. It opened up on the second try, I rebooted. Still lost my Favourites and Address Book tho. I might put a link in your forums thread about this.