Welcome
Welcome to AOL Help – Offline

This ‘offline’ help file is designed to answer your questions about connecting to the AOL service with version 8.0 and using certain AOL features that are available when you aren't signed on. Use this Help file to learn how to:

•	Get connected to AOL

•	Get around the AOL service

•	Use the Web browser

•	Write email when you are not signed on

•	Use and organise your Personal Filing Cabinet

•	Manage your AOL account

•	Set your preferences

•	Troubleshoot technical problems

•	And much more...

When you are signed on to the AOL service, use the following AOL Keywords for help:

Keyword:	Description:
Help	The source for how-to information and step-by-step instructions on using AOL’s most popular features.
Billing	Change your name or billing address, change your payment method or price plan, plus view your AOL bill.
Connect	Find additional access numbers to connect to the AOL service, plus get tips on staying connected.


Finding a Help Topic

1.	In the Help viewer window, click one of the following tabs:

•	To browse through topics by category, click the Contents tab.

•	To see a list of index entries, click the Index tab, and then either type a word or scroll through the list.

•	To search for words or phrases that may be contained in a Help topic, click the Search tab.

2.	In the left frame of the Help window, click the topic, index entry, or phrase to display the corresponding topic in the right frame.

For more information, see:

Getting the Most Out of Help

Copying a Topic

Printing a Topic


Getting the Most Out of This Help File

In a Help topic, you can click underlined words to see other information related to the topic.

Green underlined terms indicate definitions or additional information about a particular word or phrase. Try it here to learn more about AOL Keywords. Click the pop-up to make it disappear.

Blue underlined terms indicate a link to a relevant topic. For example, you can get around AOL Version 8.0 Help using a variety of methods.

Purple italicised underlined items indicate a link to further instructions. For example, if you see the words: Move this help window if it is in the way, you can click the link to get instructions on how to move the window. Click the pop-up to make it disappear.

A Related Topics button may appear at the end of a topic. Click it, then click the title of the topic you want. Try it below.

 Related Topics


Copying a Topic

1.	In the right frame of the Help window, right-click inside the topic you want to copy, select Options, and then click Copy.

2.	Open the document where you want to copy the topic.

3.	Click the place in your document where you want the information to appear.

4.	On the Edit menu, click Paste.

Note

•	If you want to copy only part of a topic, select the text you want to copy, right-click your selection, , select Options, and then click Copy.

For more information, see:

Printing a Help Topic


Printing a Help Topic

1.	In the left frame of the Help window, click the title of the topic you want to print.

2.	On the Help toolbar, click Print.

Note

•	To print a pop-up topic, right-click inside the pop-up window, and then click Print Topic.

For more information, see:

Copying a Help Topic


Getting Around the AOL 8.0 Help File

To navigate through Help topics you've seen:

1.	On the Help toolbar, click Back to display the last Help topic you saw.

2.	On the Help toolbar, click the browse arrows to display the next [image] or previous [image] Help topic in the Table of Contents.

For more information, see:

Finding a topic

Getting the most out of Help


Hiding and Showing the Help Contents

•	On the Help toolbar, click Help Topics to hide the table of contents, index, or search results list.

•	Click Help Topics again to display the table of contents, index, or search results list.

For more information, see:

Changing the size of the Help window


Changing the Size of the Help Window

To make the left or right frame wider or narrower, point to the divider between the two panes. When the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow, hold down the left mouse button as you drag the divider right or left.

To shrink or enlarge the whole Help window proportionally, point to any corner of the Help window. When the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow, hold down the left mouse button as you drag the corner.

To change the whole Help window's height or width, point to the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the Help window. When the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow, hold down the left mouse button as you drag the side.

For more information, see:

Hiding and showing the contents


Getting Help Online

The AOL Help channel is AOL's online customer support centre. It covers a wide range of AOL-related topics from technical problems to billing queries, to Frequently Asked Questions about AOL services & features. You can even chat live online with an AOL representative to get instant answers to your queries.

To get help online

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	On the right of the AOL toolbar at the top of your screen, click the Help icon.

Note

•	The Help channel is an "unlimited use" area. For members on an hourlyAOL price plan (for example, AOL Light Usage), this means you are not charged by AOL for online time spent in the Help channel. (Telephone surcharges, if applicable, will still apply.)


Contacting AOL Member Services

For answers to any queries you may have about AOL, you can call the AOL UK Member Services helpline on 0800 376 5432 from within the UK or + 353 51 333100 from other countries.

Please note that AOL receives a large number of telephone calls for assistance. To get the quickest possible answer to your query, try the following alternatives:

If you can sign on to AOL, use one of the following Keywords:

•	AOL Keyword: Help – AOL's comprehensive online support centre, covering a wide range of topics from technical problems to billing queries to AOL services & features

•	AOL Keyword: Live Help – lets you chat to an AOL Member Services representative online

If you cannot sign on to AOL but do have alternative Internet access, you can get help by visiting www.aol.co.uk/help using any Internet provider.

See also:

Contacting AOL using Typetalk


Checking Your Current AOL Bill

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Go to AOL Keyword: Billing.

3.	Select an option from the left-hand side of the screen:

•	Click View Price Plan to see which price plan you’re currently on.

•	Click View Current Bill Summary to view a summary of your current month's bill.

•	Click View Detailed Bill to view your current or last month's bill by line item.

•	Click View Billing Terms to see your next billing date, monthly fees, and Free minutes each month, if applicable.

Note

•	At AOL Keyword: Billing, you can also update your billing information and price plan.

For more information, see:

Updating your AOL billing information


Updating Your Billing Information

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Go to AOL Keyword: Billing.

3.	Select an option from the left-hand side of the screen:

•	Click Change Price Plan to update your pricing plan.

•	Click Change Name & Address to update your personal information.

•	Click Change Payment Information to update your payment method.

Note

•	At AOL Keyword: Billing, you can also view your AOL bill.

For more information, see:

Reading your AOL bill online


Signing on to the AOL Service

1.	Start the AOL software.

2.	On the Sign-On screen, select the Screen Name you want to use from the Select Screen Name list.

3.	Type your password in the Password box.

4.	Select a location from the Location list.

5.	Click Sign On.

For more information, see:

Setting up your computer to connect to the AOL service


Setting Up Your Computer to Connect to AOL

You can set up your computer to connect to the AOL service using a variety of methods and devices. To learn more, select a link below.

Using Auto Detect to find your modem or other connection device

Adding modem locations

Adding access phone numbers to locations

Adding a TCP/IP location

Connecting to AOL Broadband

Connecting to AOL Broadband via Cable

Using Expert Setup


Setting the Auto Start Preference

If you normally connect to AOL via another Internet Service provider, you can set up the AOL software to automatically start whenever you establish an Internet connection as follows:

1.	On the Windows taskbar, right-click the [image] icon and select Auto Start Options... from the menu that appears.

2.	In the Auto Start AOL window, select your preference for starting AOL when an Internet connection is established.

3.	Click OK.

 Related Topics


AOL Access Numbers

An AOL access number is a telephone number your modem dials to connect to the AOL service.

To choose a new access number, click Access Numbers on the AOL Sign-On screen, or click the grey Help menu at the top of your screen and click AOL Access Phone Numbers.

Note: You will incur phone charges from your telephone company and/or AOL communications surcharges if you select an AOL access number that is not a freephone number, or is outside the United Kingdom.

For more information, see:

•	Setting up Locations for Use Within the UK

•	Setting Up Locations for Other Countries

•	Important Surcharge Information


Confirm Your Selections Window

Your modem will dial the access numbers exactly as shown. To make changes to the number(s) click Edit. The following options are also available:

Dial [9, ] to reach an outside line

Select this checkbox if you need to dial a prefix (for example, 9) to reach an outside line. Edit the default prefix if it is not correct, and make sure there is a comma after it.

Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions when using this location

Select this checkbox to automatically reconnect to AOL in the case of certain types of connection errors.

Notes

•	If you do not turn off Call Waiting while you are connected to the AOL service, you will lose your connection if you receive an incoming call.


Important Surcharge Information

Telephone surcharges apply in the following instances:

•	If you sign on with an access number that is outside the United Kingdom.

•	If your UK access number is not a freephone number (these charges are billed by your telephone company)

These surcharges vary and are subject to change. You can find the latest surcharge information online at AOL Keyword: Access Numbers.


About Locations and Numbers (Connections)

Locations

A location contains one or more access numbers (or connections) that contain a common element (for example, numbers that will connect you from a certain country). If you are using the AOL software on your laptop computer, you can create separate locations for use at home, at your office, or for countries you travel to frequently.

Numbers (Connections)

A number (or connection) is the information your computer needs to connect to the AOL service— such as what type of modem you have (or whether you use TCP/IP or Broadband to connect) and what access phone numbers to use to connect.

For more information, see:

Adding Locations

Adding access numbers to locations

Moving (or copying) numbers (connections)


About the Add/Edit Numbers (Connections) Window
About the Add/Edit Number (Connection) Window

This window allows you to add or edit a new number (or connection) to a location. It contains the following options:

Name:

Edit the name of the number (connection) (for example, Paris access number).

Will be added to this location:

Select the location you want to add this connection profile to.

Connect using:

Select the connection method this connection profile will use (for example, a modem or TCP/IP).

Try to connect [1] times with this number (connection):

Click the up or down arrow to adjust the number of times you want the software to try to connect using this profile.

The rest of the window presents differing informatoon, depending on whether you are adding or editing an access number (for use with a modem) or a TCP/IP connection:

•	Add/Edit Number (Connection) window (modem)

•	Add/Edit Number (Connection) window (TCP/IP)


Add/Edit Connections Window (Modem)
Add/Edit Number (Connection) Window (Modem)

Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions when using this location

Select this checkbox to automatically reconnect to AOL in the case of certain types of connection errors.

Edit number here:

If you need to edit the number, do so in this box.

Dial [9, ] to reach an outside line

Select this checkbox if you need to dial a prefix (for example, 9) to reach an outside line. Edit the default prefix if it is not correct, and make sure there is a comma after it.

Speed

Select the highest speed at which your modem can transmit data (not fax).

Network

Verify that the correct network is selected for the access number you are using (for example, AOLnet).

I do not have Touch Tone service

Make sure this option is ticked if your phone line uses pulse dialling (if unsure, contact your telephone company).

I have voice mail on this phone line

Select this option if appropriate, to prevent your voice mail service interfering with your AOL connection.


Add/Edit Number (Connection) Window (TCP/IP)

•	Select Automatic Connection Script for most ISP and LAN (local area network) TCP/IP connections.

•	Select Manual Proxy Configuration if you need to configure a custom TCP/IP connection to communicate outside your LAN. (Click View to enter your custom settings.)


Adding Locations

If you take your computer with you when you travel, you can set up additional dialling locations in your AOL software for the cities or countries that you intend to travel to.

Please select one of the following options:

•	Setting up Locations for Use Within the UK

•	Setting Up Locations for Other Countries

For more information, see:

About Locations and Numbers (Connections)


Adding Access Numbers to Locations

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Access Numbers.

2.	In the Search for AOL Access Numbers window, select the country you wish to connect from and click Next.

Note: If you are connecting from the UK, at this stage you may be asked for your telephone number and telephone provider in order to give you the most appropriate access numbers. If this is the case, follow the on-screen instructions and ignore the remaining steps below. For more information about this process, see Choosing Your Best UK Access Number

3.	In the Select AOL Access Numbers window, select as many access numbers as appropriate from the list and click Next.

4.	Verify the information in the Confirm Your Selections window, and click Next.

5.	On the Confirm Current Location window, click Finish.

6.	Click Sign On.

Note

•	You will incur phone charges if you select an AOL access number that is not a UK freephone number. Please check with your telephone company for more information.

•	You will also incur AOL communications surcharges when dialling AOL access numbers outside the UK. For further information, go to AOL Keyword: Access Numbers.

For more information, see:

Adding Locations

Moving (or copying) numbers (connections)


Moving (or Copying) Numbers (Connections)

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	Click the Locations tab.

4.	Do one of the following:

•	To move a number (connection) to another location or to a different position in the same location, drag the number to the new position.

•	To copy a number (connection), hold the Ctrl key down as you drag the number to a new location or position.

5.	Click Close.

For more information, see:

Adding access numbers to locations


Turning Off Call Waiting While You're Online
Turning Off Call Waiting

If you do not disable Call Waiting while you are connected to AOL, you will lose your connection if you receive an incoming call.

BT customers can disable Call Waiting by dialling: #43#
Then, to re-enable call waiting afterwards (i.e. when you are no longer connected to AOL), dial: *43#

The Call Waiting codes vary for different telephone services. For further information, contact your telephone provider.


Reaching an Outside Line

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Locations tab in the Connection Setup window, click the number (connection) you want to edit once to select it. (The number (connection) is indented beneath the location name.)

4.	Click Edit.

5.	In the Edit Number (Connection) window, tick the Dial [9, ] to reach an outside line checkbox. Edit the default prefix if it is not correct, and make sure there is a comma after it. Click OK.

6.	On the Connection Setup window, click Close.

Note

•	You will have to edit each number in the location and make this change.

For more information, see:

Using Pulse Dialling


Using Pulse Dialling

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Locations tab in the Connection Setup window, click the number (connection) you want to edit once to select it. (The number (connection) is indented beneath the location name.)

4.	Click Edit.

5.	In the Edit Number (Connection) window, tick the I do not have Touch Tone service checkbox, then click OK.

6.	On the Connection Setup window, click Close.

Note

•	You will have to edit each number in the location and make this change.


Using Expert Setup

You can use Expert Setup to:

•	configure your modem to dial an outside phone line.

•	configure for pulse dialling.

•	configure your modem manually.

•	edit the modem commands.

•	check for correct modem selection.


About the Expert Add/Edit Modem Window

Modem:

Select your modem in the list.

Connected to port:

Choose the port to which your modem is connected.

Speaker volume:

Set the volume of your speakers: Off, Low, Normal, Loud.

Port speed:

Choose your port speed.

For more information, see:

Creating a custom modem command

Editing the modem commands


Configuring Your Modem Manually

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Connection Setup window, click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

4.	Click Expert Add.

5.	Select Modem (telephone line connection) from the list, then click Next.

6.	Select your modem from the Modem: list, the COM port your modem is using from the Connected to port: list, and the highest rate at which your modem can transmit data (not fax) from the Port speed: list.

7.	Click OK.

8.	On the Connection Setup window, click Close.

Notes

•	The AOL software can detect most modems automatically. In most instances you will not need to configure the modem yourself.

•	This option is not available for users of the Windows 2000 operating system.

For more information, see:

Using Expert Setup

Configure your modem to dial an outside phone line


Creating an Advanced Modem Command

1.	Use the table below to help you create a modem command. The table below shows the most common parameters, settings, and commands. See your modem manual to verify the commands to use for your modem.

2.	Edit the modem commands in the setup.

Parameter	Setting	Usual Command
Data Compression	On	%C1
Error Correction	On	&Q5
Flow Control	Hardware – Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS)	&K3
Local Echo	On	E1
Verbose Responses	Word responses	V1
Extended Result Codes	Respond to dial tone and busy signal	X1 or X4 (preferably X4)
DCD	Track the state of data carrier from the remote modem&#9;	TC1
Important!

•	Your modem command should begin with the AT&F, and end with ^M (a carriage return).

•	Use all capital letters and the number 0, not the letter O.

 Related Topics


Editing Advanced Modem Commands

The Advanced Modem Commands window displays the modem currently being used by your computer, along with the commands for that modem.

It's not normally necessary to change these commands. Don't make any changes unless you are experienced with modems.

To edit the advanced modem commands:

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Connection Setup window, click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

4.	Click the Modem: connection, if it is not already selected.

5.	Click Edit.

6.	In the Expert Edit (or Add) Modem window, click Edit Commands. The Advanced Modem Commands window will appear.

7.	Edit the advanced modem commands in the Setup Modem String box.

8.	Edit all other necessary fields.

9.	Click OK.

Notes

•	You may go back to your original settings by clicking Restore Default Settings

For more information, see:

Creating an advanced modem command

Using Auto Detect to identify your connection devices


Using Auto Detect to Identify Your Connection Devices

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Connection Setup window, click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

4.	Click Auto Detect.

5.	When the connection devices on your computer have been detected, select the one you want to use to connect and click Next.

For more information, see:

Using Expert Setup

Editing the modem commands


Setting Up an ISP Location

To set up an ISP location

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Add Location.

3.	In the Add Location window, click Select a connection using one of these available devices and select TCP/IP: LAN or ISP (Internet Service Provider) from the list.

4.	In the Name: box, change the default name to Home – via ISP.

5.	Click Next. A TCP/IP location will be created.

For more information, see:

Connecting via an ISP


Connecting to AOL via an ISP

1.	Connect to your Internet Service Provider as usual.

2.	Start the AOL software.

3.	On the Sign-On screen, select your Home – via ISP location from the Select Location: list.

4.	Click Sign On.

For more information, see:

Setting up an ISP location


About TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a communications format for transferring data on a local area network (LAN). You can use TCP/IP (if it is available on your computer) instead of your modem to connect to AOL at no extra charge. Connecting to AOL with TCP/IP is often faster than the usual modem-based connection process, and it will not interfere with your use of other TCP/IP applications like Netscape.

If you have a LAN, ask your system administrator if you have TCP/IP capabilities.

You may also be able to obtain a modem-based TCP/IP connection (called either a SLIP or a PPP connection) from a local Internet Service Provider (ISP).

For more information, see:

Setting up a TCP/IP location

Connecting to AOL via LAN

Creating a custom proxy configuration


Setting Up a TCP/IP Location

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Add Location.

3.	In the Add Location window, click Select a connection using one of these available devices and select TCP/IP: LAN or ISP (Internet Service Provider) from the list.

4.	In the Name: box, change the default name to LAN location.

5.	Click Next. A TCP/IP location will be created.

For more information, see:

About TCP/IP

Connecting to AOL via LAN

Creating a custom proxy configuration


Connecting to AOL via Local Area Network (LAN)

1.	Establish your LAN connection, if necessary.

2.	Start the AOL software.

3.	On the Sign-On screen, select your TCP/IP location from the Select Location list.

4.	Sign on to the AOL service.

For more information, see:

About TCP/IP

Setting up a TCP/IP location

Creating a custom proxy configuration


Creating a Custom Proxy Configuration

Depending on the configuration of your Local Area Network (LAN), it may be necessary to set up a custom proxy configuration in order to connect to AOL. For further advice, contact your system administrator.

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	Click once on a TCP/IP number (connection) to select it and click Edit.

4.	In the Edit Number (Connection) window, tick the Manual Proxy Configuration checkbox.

5.	Click View to enter your custom settings.

6.	Click OK.

For more information, see:

About TCP/IP

Setting up a TCP/IP location

Connecting to AOL via LAN


Connecting to AOL Broadband via Cable

For any queries you may have about connecting to AOL Broadband via cable, please go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Help or, if you are an existing AOL Broadband cable customer, consult the documentation that came with your installation pack.


Setting Up a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Location
Setting Up a Broadband Location

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Locations tab in the Connection Setup window, click Add Location.

4.	In the Add Location window, change the default name for the new location to AOL Broadband

5.	Click Select a connection using one of these available devices and select AOL UK Broadband Connection from the list.

6.	Click Next.

7.	In the Add Number (Connection) window, change the default name for the new connection to AOL Broadband.

8.	Make sure AOL UK Broadband Connection is selected from the Connect using: list.

9.	Click OK.

For more information, see:

Connecting via Broadband


Connecting to AOL Broadband

1.	On the Sign-On screen, select your Broadband location from the Select Location list.

2.	Click Sign On.

For more information, see:

Setting up a Broadband location

Unable to Connect via Broadband


Setting Up Locations for Other Countries

If you bring your computer with you when you travel abroad, you can set up additional dialling locations in your AOL software for the countries or cities that you intend to travel to.

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Add Location.

3.	In the Add Location window, click Select access numbers to add to my new location.

4.	In the Name: box, type a name for the new location (for example, France) and click Next. Move this help window if it is in the way.

5.	In the Search for AOL Access Numbers window, select the country you want to connect from and click Next. (If you select the United States you should type a city name or area code into the Search box before continuing)

6.	In the Select AOL Access Numbers window, select as many access phone numbers as appropriate from the list and click Next.

7.	Select any dialling options in the Confirm Your Selections window, then click Next.

8.	Verify the information in the Confirm Location window, then click Finish.

Note

•	When you want to use your new dialling location, simply select it from the Select Location drop-down menu on the AOL Sign-On screen.

•	You will incur AOL communications surcharges and/or telephone charges when dialling into AOL access numbers outside the United Kingdom. See AOL Keyword: Access Numbers for details of communications surcharges, and check with your telephone company for details of applicable telephone charges.

For more information, see:

Signing on from a friend's computer


Signing on From a Different Computer

When you travel, if you have access to a different computer (for example, in an Internet cafe, or at a friend's house) then you can sign on to AOL as follows:

If the computer has the AOL software installed.

1.	Start the AOL software

2.	On the Sign-On screen, select Guest from the Select Screen Name list.

3.	Click Sign On.

4.	Enter a Screen Name and password from your account when prompted.

More information about the Guest function

If the computer does NOT have the AOL software installed:

You can access certain AOL features, such as your email and Buddy List, by visiting www.aol.co.uk using any Web browser. Simply enter your AOL Screen Name and password when prompted and choose one of the on-screen options.

For more information, see:

Setting up locations for other countries


Disconnections From the AOL Service

If you are having trouble staying connected to the AOL service, and you have been obtaining successful connections without any disconnects until recently, review the following factors, which can contribute to noticeably poorer performance.

Outdated Modem Software

Often, updating ‘Modem Drivers’ and/or updating modem ‘Firmware’ can enhance performance and increase a modem's tolerance to line noise or errors as explained later in this article. Most modem manufacturers are constantly working to improve the quality of connections made by their modems. To get the most out of your computer and the AOL service, it is important to maintain the highest performance possible from your modem. As new technologies are developed and bugs are discovered and corrected, modem manufacturers release updated firmware or modem drivers so customers who own one of their modems can take advantage of these fixes and/or developments. Some modems use firmware or modem drivers while other modems use both firmware and modem drivers.

Limited System Resources

Software Controlled and Controllerless Modems are very dependent on system resources. It is possible that a new program or software application, recently installed on your computer, has reduced the amount of system resources available to other applications or hardware. Memory-resident programs such as memory managers, device drivers, and terminate-stay-resident (TSR) programs can cause modem connections to fail. It may be necessary to run fewer applications simultaneously, in order to get these types of modems to work more efficiently.

Software Conflicts

In some cases when consideration is given to pinpoint the exact time connections started getting worse, a corresponding event can be identified such as the installation of another software program. Due to the number of different possibilities, some investigation may be necessary to track down the root cause of the problem.

Modifications or Additions to Phone Equipment

New phone equipment in the home such as fax machines, answering machines, additional extensions, or home networking equipment may be the source of additional noise on the phone line. Testing for these problems can be as easy as temporarily removing other equipment (especially if it has recently been added) and seeing if the disconnect problems improve. (Remember when testing for problems by disconnecting other phone equipment, it is not the power supply which needs to be unplugged but the phone cord attached to the jack on the wall which should be temporarily removed.) Even the installation of additional telephone can be problematic if they're not correctly installed.

Human Interaction

In a home with multiple telephones, a person picking up another extension in the house can cause a modem to disconnect. Fax machines or other computer modems can also pick up the line and start dialling without sensing that the line is clear by listening for a dial tone. There is usually no way for the other person to know that the phone line is being used by a modem until they pick up the receiver and listen. At this point it is often too late to avoid losing the connection.

Call Waiting

If Call Waiting is enabled on your telephone line, your modem connection will be interrupted by the Call Waiting signal if you receive an incoming phone call while you're signed on to AOL.

To get around this problem, it may be necessary to disable Call Waiting before you connect to AOL and re-enable it afterwards.

Noise

Modem connections are more susceptible to "line noise" than voice communication. The original telephone lines were created to carry verbal communications. When noise interferes with the signal on the phone line, the computer's modem has trouble talking to the AOL modem at the other end. If the modem cannot be sure it is still connected because the noise is so bad, or the PC is too busy to control it, it can lose contact with the AOL service entirely, causing the modem to disconnect. Static, popping, or other conversations on a phone line usually indicates noise on the line.

However, noise that can cause problems with a modem may not always be detected by simply listening to the receiver. Electromagnetic interference can also be a factor in causing your modem to disconnect. Most residential-grade phone wiring is susceptible to such interference because of its lack of shielding. Phone lines should not run parallel to other wiring for extended distances. The phone line shouldn't pass too near digital electronics such as computers and CD players. Radio-frequency (RF) electronics such as TVs, radios, microwave ovens, and devices with motors (such as fans) are all sources of electromagnetic interference. Other sources may include lights with dimmers, lights which use fluorescent bulbs and electrical appliances that use a lot of power.

Older phones can also create line noise, since they were never designed for modem use. Also, poor quality phone wiring is a common problem in older houses. The wiring may have been adequate for voice phone calls, but today's fax machines and modems require higher-quality wiring.


Uninstalling and Reinstalling the AOL Software

If you are experiencing problems with the AOL software (for example, persistent error messages), the software may have become corrupted. To fix this, you can uninstall the AOL software, then reinstall a fresh copy.

To Uninstall AOL:

1.	Close the AOL software.

2.	On the Windows Start menu, click Settings, then click Control Panel. (Windows XP users click Start then click Control Panel)

3.	Double-click Add/Remove Programs. (Windows XP users may need to click Switch to Classic View in order for this option to be visible)

4.	In the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, select AOL UK, then click Add/Remove or Change/Remove.

5.	In the Version list, select the version or copy of the AOL software you want to remove, then click Next.

Note: If you have downloaded files or saved email in your Personal Filing Cabinet that you wish to keep, make sure the Downloaded Files and Personal Filing Cabinet checkboxes are ticked. If they are, these files will be copied to new folders on your desktop for safe keeping.

6.	Follow all remaining on-screen prompts.

To Reinstall AOL:

1.	Insert an AOL CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

2.	The installer should automatically launch after a few seconds. If it does not:

•	On the Windows Start menu, click Run.

•	Type d:\setup (or e:\setup depending on the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive), then press the Enter key.

3.	Follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted, choose the Current Members option, then choose Adding your existing AOL account to this computer and click Next.

4.	Take note of the folder the new version of AOL is being installed into.

5.	Follow all remaining on-screen prompts.

To Restore your Backed-up AOL Files:

1.	Double-click the AOL Saved PFC folder on your desktop

2.	Double-click the AOL folder corresponding to the version of AOL you uninstalled (if in doubt, choose the most recently-created folder)

3.	Right-click the Organize folder and click Copy.

4.	Find the folder containing your newly-installed version of AOL 8.0 (the folder name you made note of when reinstalling AOL, above). This will be called something like C:\Program Files\AOL 8.0a. So for example, double-click My Computer, then double-click your C drive and double-click Program Files. Finally, right-click the appropriate folder (e.g. AOL 8.0a) and choose Paste.

5.	When prompted whether you want to replace files, click Yes.

When complete, double-click the AOL icon on your desktop and sign on as normal.


Modem Reported No Dial Tone

If you have an external modem:

1.	Make sure the modem's power cord is securely plugged in and that the modem is turned on. If the modem has power, then its LED lights or LCD display should be on.

2.	Make sure the modem cable is securely attached to the modem and to the computer.

If you have an internal modem:

1.	Quit all software programs that are running.

2.	Click Start on the Windows taskbar and select Shut Down.

3.	Select the option to shut down your computer and click OK (or Yes.)

4.	If your computer does not turn off automatically, wait until you see the message that it is safe to do so, and turn off your computer.

5.	Wait 10–15 seconds.

6.	Restart your computer.

For all modems:

1.	Make sure the phone line coming from the wall is plugged into the modem connection that reads PHONE LINE, JACK, or TO WALL.

2.	Unplug the line going into the modem and connect it to a phone; listen for a normal dial tone.

3.	Check to see if an extension is off the hook.

4.	Quit any other communications software (for example, fax software) that is using the modem.

Notes

•	If you subscribe to a home-based voice-mail service offered by many telephone companies, the special tones used to identify the existence of a message can interfere with the normal operation of your modem. Check for this interference by listening for a normal dial tone from your telephone receiver.

•	If you have a Meridian, Aspect, Rolm, or other digital phone system (normally used only in office buildings), then your phone system probably is not compatible with your modem (standard modems send analogue signals).

Is there a dial tone?

Yes, there is a dial tone.

No, there is no dial tone.


Ordinary Dial Tone?

•	Yes.

•	No, it's a voice message dial tone.


Add a Pause to Wait for a Dial Tone

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

3.	On the Locations tab in the Connection Setup window, click the number (connection) you want to edit once to select it. The number (connection) is indented beneath the location name.

4.	Click Edit.

5.	In the Edit Number (Connection) window, tick the Dial [9, ] to reach an outside line: checkbox.

6.	Delete the default code that is in the box and type two commas into the box.

Note

•	You will have to edit each number in the location and make this change.


Modem Is Not Accepting AOL Commands

If your modem is not accepting commands, try these possible solutions.

1.	Run Auto Detect to identify your modem.

•	On the Sign-On screen click Setup.

•	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

•	On the Connection Setup window click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab, then click Auto Detect.

2.	Check that your modem has the proper settings.

•	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

•	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

•	On the Connection Setup window click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

•	Click your modem to select it, then click Edit.

•	Click Edit Commands.

•	Click Restore Default Settings.


Modem Detected a Timeout

1.	Check that the correct modem has been selected.

2.	Try another access number.

3.	Determine if voice messages are interfering with your connection.

4.	Determine if you must dial a prefix to get an outside line. (If you are dialling from an office location, then you may need to set up your modem to dial a number or prefix before dialling your AOL access phone number.)


Checking for Dialling Problems

Check for dialling problems if

•	you subscribe to a home-based voice-mail service, which may send signals over your phone line that interfere with your modem connection.

•	you are dialling from an office building (where you may need to dial a number — such as ‘9’ — to place an outside call).

To check for dialling problems:

1.	Disconnect the phone line from your modem and connect it to a telephone.

2.	Listen to whether the dial tone sounds normal or "stutters" (indicating that you have voice mail waiting)

3.	Dial the AOL access number exactly as it is listed in your AOL setup.

4.	Listen for the call to go through and a modem to answer.

If the above steps did not work as expected, then there may be a problem with your telephone line – contact your telephone company for advice – or you may need to do one of the following:

•	Clear a "stuttering" dial tone by listening to your voice messages

•	Set up AOL to dial 9 for an outside line


Modem Would Not Initialise

1.	If you have an external modem (one that is not inside your computer), please check that it is connected securely to the computer, that it is plugged into the power outlet, and that it is turned on.

2.	Turn your modem off, then turn it back on. If your modem is inside the computer, turn the computer off, then turn it back on.

3.	Check your modem selection to see if the correct modem is selected.

•	On the Sign-On screen click Setup.

•	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

•	On the Connection Setup window click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

4.	Check that your modem has the proper settings.

•	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

•	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

•	On the Connection Setup window click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.

•	Click your modem to select it, then click Edit.

•	Click Edit Commands.

•	Click Restore Default Settings.

5.	Run Auto Detect to identify your modem.

•	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

•	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Expert Setup.

•	On the Connection Setup window, click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab, then click Auto Detect.


About Email

Electronic mail (email) allows you to exchange messages, documents, photographs, even sounds, with anyone with an email address, virtually anywhere in the world, almost instantaneously.

There is no extra charge for sending or receiving email on AOL.

If you have email waiting for you when you sign on to the AOL service, you will see the text ‘You Have Email’ on the ‘Welcome Screen’. If your computer has a sound card, you will also hear ‘You have Email’.

You can even send and receive your AOL email directly from any Internet-connected computer with a Web browser, without using the AOL software. Simply go to www.aol.co.uk using any Internet provider and click Email.

 Related Topics


Writing Email When You Are Not Signed On

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Send To: box, type the email address of the person you want to send email to. (To send the same message to another person, type a comma and add the next email address.)

3.	In the Subject: box, type a subject line for your email.

4.	Type your message in the large message box.

5.	When you have finished, click Send Later.

Notes

•	Email addresses that are stored in your Address Book will be automatically completed for you as you type. When there is more than one possible matching address, a list of suggestions will appear below the Send To: or Copy To: box.

•	You must be signed on to the AOL service to send the email that you compose offline. When you click Send Later, your email will be stored in your offline mailbox until you sign on or until you activate Automatic AOL to send your outgoing email. The Send Later button is not active when you are using the Guest feature.

•	You can click Address Book to choose your recipients. Open your Address Book, click the desired name, then click the Send To button. (You can also send a copy or blind copy).

•	To add more than one email address in the Send To: or Copy To: boxes, separate them with a comma.

For example: aolmember1, aolmember2, aolmember3

For more information, see:

About email

Sending courtesy copies

Sending blind copies

Using the Address Book when you send email


Your Email Address

Your email address for correspondence with other members of AOL is your Screen Name.

For example: AOLMember1

Your email address for correspondence from outside of AOL (such as through the Internet or another online service) is your Screen Name (without any capitalisation or spaces) followed by @aol.com

For example: aolmember1@aol.com

Notes

•	You can create different Screen Names for different purposes (for example, one to use with friends and one to use for business), or you can assign a separate Screen Name (and private mailbox) to each of the members of your family.

•	You can have up to seven Screen Names on your AOL account at no extra charge. To create or delete a Screen Name, sign on to the AOL service using your master Screen Name and go to AOL Keyword: Names.

•	When you delete a Screen Name, you also delete its mailbox, and any email that is subsequently sent to that Screen Name will be returned to the person who sent it.

For more information, see:

About email

Using the Address Book when you send email


Sending Blind Copies

Send blind copies of your email when you do not want the primary addressee(s) to know that you have sent the email to anyone else.

To send a blind copy:

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Send To: box, type the email address(es) of the primary recipient(s).

3.	In the Copy To: box, type the email address(es) of the recipient(s) of blind copies in parentheses.

For example: (aolmember1, aolmember2, aolmember3)

4.	In the Subject: field, type a subject line for your email.

5.	In the message box, type your email message.

6.	When you have finished, click Send Later.

Notes

•	All of the recipients of your email can receive blind copies: you do not have to designate a primary recipient. Recipients of blind copies will not see the names of others who received blind copies.

•	As the sender of the email, you will always see all names on the email (even those who received blind copies) – whether you look in your online mailbox, or in your offline mailbox, or if one of the email recipients forwards a copy of the email back to you.

•	You must be signed on to AOL to send the email you compose offline. When you click Send Later, your email will be stored in your offline mailbox until you sign on to AOL or until you activate Automatic AOL to send your outgoing email. The Send Later button is not active when you are using the Guest feature.

•	You can click Address Book to choose your recipients. Open your Address Book, click the desired name, then click the Blind Copy button.

•	To add more than one email address in the Send To: or Copy To: boxes, separate them with a comma.

For example: aolmember1, aolmember2, aolmember3

For more information, see:

About email

Sending courtesy copies

Using the Address Book when you send email


Sending Courtesy Copies

Send a courtesy copy (or carbon copy) of your email when there are people other than the primary addressee(s) who also have an interest in the subject of the email.

To send a courtesy copy:

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Send To: box, type the email address(es) of the primary recipient(s).

3.	In the Copy To: box, type the email address(es) of the recipient(s) of courtesy copies.

4.	In the Subject: field, type a subject line for your email.

5.	In the message box, type your email message.

6.	When you have finished, click Send Later.

Notes

•	You must be signed on to AOL to send the email you compose offline. When you click Send Later, your email will be stored in your offline mailbox until you sign on to AOL or until you activate Automatic AOL to send your outgoing email. (The Send Later icon is not active when you are using the Guest Screen Name.)

•	You can click Address Book to choose your recipients. Open your Address Book, click the desired name, then click the Copy to button.

•	To add more than one email address in the Send To: or Copy To: boxes, separate them with a comma.

For example: aolmember1, aolmember2, aolmember3

For more information, see:

About email

Sending blind copies

Using the Address Book when you send email


Requesting a Return Receipt

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Address your email as usual.

3.	Tick the Request ‘Return Receipt’ from AOL Members checkbox.

4.	Type your message and send your email as usual.

Notes

•	You will receive an email notification when each AOL member opens your email.

•	You will not receive a return receipt for email you send to Internet addresses.

For more information, see:

About email

Composing email offline

Sending courtesy copies

Sending blind copies


Using Your Address Book to Send Email

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Write Email window, click Address Book.

3.	In the Address Book window, select the contact to whom you want to send email. (If you want to send email to more than one person, hold down the Ctrl key as you select additional contacts.)

4.	Do one of the following:

•	click Send To to copy the selected name(s) to the Send To: box on the Write Email window (for contacts with more than one email address, the Screen Name or email address you have designated as ‘primary’ will be used)

•	click Copy To to copy the selected name(s) to the Copy To: box on the Write Email window (i.e., send a CC:)

•	click Blind Copy to send a blind copy to the selected name(s) (none of the other recipients see the addresses of those who receive blind copies).

Notes

•	Hold down the Shift key and click two non-adjacent addresses or groups to select all items in between.

•	Hold down the Ctrl key and click a selected item to undo the selection.

For more information, see:

About email

About the Address Book

Adding/editing contact information in the Address Book

Creating/editing group mailing lists


About MIME

MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) is an Internet protocol, or a set of guidelines. MIME converts a binary attachment to a text format that can be handled by Internet email clients.

When you receive MIME files

On AOL, when you receive a MIME-encoded attached file from an Internet email address, the AOL software will automatically decode the file into a format that your computer can understand. All you do is click Download Now on your email form, and the AOL software converts the email's file attachment back to its original binary format: such as .ZIP.

Occasionally, the AOL software may not be able to automatically decode the MIME file. If AOL was unable to decode the MIME file, the attachment will be in MIME format, with a filename extension of .MME. Go ahead and download this file and use a MIME decoder software program to convert the .MME file back to a binary file. You can obtain a MIME decoder program at AOL Keyword: MIME.

When you send an attachment to an Internet user

When you attach a file to an email message that you send to an Internet user, it will automatically be MIME-encoded.

In order to use the attachment, your message's recipient must have a MIME-compliant email program or use software that can decode MIME files – to translate it back into a format that his or her computer can understand. If the recipient has a MIME-compliant email program, the MIME attachment will probably be automatically decoded for him. If not, the recipient can easily translate the file using a utility program.

For more information, see:

About zipped (compressed) files


Reading Email

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the Read icon on the AOL toolbar.

3.	Double-click the first email to read it.

Notes

•	You can set an Email preference to keep email in your online mailbox for up to 7 days after it has been opened.

•	The more you use email, the more you may want to use the Personal Filing Cabinet feature to manage your email.

For more information, see:

About email

About Automatic AOL

Reading and responding to email offline

About the Personal Filing Cabinet feature


Reading and Responding to Email When You're Not Signed On

1.	Set up Automatic AOL to retrieve email.

2.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

3.	Double-click the Incoming/Saved Email folder.

4.	Double-click the email item you want to read.

5.	Highlight a section of text to select it, if you want to quote it in your response.

6.	Click Reply (or Forward).

7.	Add your response to the quoted material.

8.	Click Send Later. Your email response will be stored in your offline mailbox until you sign on to AOL or until you activate Automatic AOL to send your outgoing email.

For more information, see:

About email

About Automatic AOL

Using Automatic AOL to read email offline


Saving Email to Your Computer or a Disk

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the Read icon on the AOL toolbar.

3.	Click the Old Email tab to bring email to the front that you have already read.

4.	Double-click email that you want to save, to open it.

5.	On the File menu, click Save As.

6.	In the Save As window, navigate to the folder on your computer where you want the email to be stored.

7.	Type a file name for your email in the File name: box. (You should make a note of where you store the email and the name you give it so that you can find it easily later.)

8.	Click Save.

For more information, see:

About email

About the Personal Filing Cabinet feature


Sorting the Contents of Your Online Mailbox

You can now sort the messages in your online mailbox by email address, time of arrival, subject heading, and type of message (email from people you know, from bulk senders, and from unknown senders).

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the Read icon on your AOL toolbar.

3.	Click one of the column headings (i.e., Type, Date, Email Address, Subject) just below the New Email tab to sort your email. The arrow will indicate whether items are being sorted in ascending or descending order.

Notes

•	You must be signed on to the AOL service to use this feature.

•	You can change the way your email is sorted by default by changing your Email preferences.

•	You can filter the list of email in your mailbox by type using the Show me email from menu.

•	You can also sort your Old Email and Sent Email.


Using Automatic AOL to Read Email Offline

Click a link below to learn more about that topic.

Set up Automatic AOL to send and retrieve your email.

Activate Automatic AOL (to retrieve email that is waiting for you).

Read and respond to your email offline.

Activate Automatic AOL (to send your outgoing email).

For more information, see:

About email

About Automatic AOL


About File Attachments

You can send separate files with your email by ‘attaching’ them to your email message. These could be word processing files, spreadsheets, pictures, or audio and video files. Here are some basic rules of thumb to follow when attaching files to email.

•	The maximum size for a file attachment you can send via email is 16 MB.

•	If you attach multiple files, they will be zipped (compressed) into a single file by AOL before they are sent out. The recipient of your email will need to unzip the files after downloading them. If the recipient is on AOL, the files will be unzipped automatically after sign off or upon download.

•	The recipient must have software that is compatible with your file(s). For example, if you send someone a WordPerfect file, your recipient must have either WordPerfect or a word processing program capable of opening WordPerfect files. Also make sure the file is compatible with your recipient's computer; a Macintosh machine may not be able to read some Windows files, and vice versa.

 Related Topics


Attaching a Single File to Email

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Write Email window, click Attachments.

3.	In the Attachments window, click Attach.

4.	Navigate to the folder that contains the file you want to attach.

5.	Double-click the file to attach and click OK.

Notes

•	The maximum size for a file attachment you can send via email is 16 MB.

•	The recipient must have software that is compatible with your file(s). For example, if you send someone a WordPerfect file, your recipient must have either WordPerfect or a word processing program capable of opening WordPerfect files. Also make sure the file is compatible with your recipient's computer; a Macintosh machine may not be able to read some Windows files, and vice versa.

For more information, see:

About file attachments

Attaching multiple files to email


Attaching Multiple Files to Email

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In the Write Email window, click Attachments.

3.	In the Attachments window, click Attach.

4.	Navigate to the folder that contains the files you want to attach.

5.	Hold down the Ctrl key, and click each item you want to select.

6.	Click OK.

Notes

•	Hold down the Shift key and click two non-adjacent items to select all items in between.

•	Hold down the Ctrl key and click a selected item to undo the selection.

•	The maximum size for a file attachment you can send via email is 16 MB.

•	If you attach multiple files, they will be zipped (compressed) into a single file by AOL before they are sent out. The recipient of your email will need to unzip the files after downloading them. If the recipient is on AOL, the files will be unzipped automatically after sign off or upon download.

•	The recipient must have software that is compatible with your file(s). For example, if you send someone a WordPerfect file, your recipient must have either WordPerfect or a word processing program capable of opening WordPerfect files. Also make sure the file is compatible with your recipient's computer; a Macintosh machine may not be able to read some Windows files, and vice versa.

For more information, see:

About file attachments

Attaching a single file to email


Formatting Options

The text styling toolbar, located just above the box where you type your email message on the Write Email screen, contains a number of formatting features, from text colour to centring to bolding.

From left to right, they are:

Font — Click the Font text box and select the font you want to use. The default font AOL uses is called Arial. Example: This is a font called Comic Sans MS.

Text Size — Click the Text Size box and select the size you want your text to be. The larger the number, the bigger the letters will appear.

Bold — Click the Bold button to make the letters in the selected text appear thicker.

Italics — Click the Italics button to make the letters in the selected text appear slanted.

Underline — Click the Underline button to underline the selected text.

Align Left — Click the Align Left button to line up all highlighted text with the left margin. Left alignment is the default alignment for text in email.

Centre — Click the Centre alignment button to move all highlighted text lines to the centre of the page.

Align Right — Click the Align Right button to line up all highlighted text with the right margin.

Text Colour — Click the Text Colour button to change the colour of the text.

Text Background Colour — Click the Text Background Colour button to change the Background Colour of text.

For more information, see:

About email

Changing the formatting


Changing Formatting

1.	Highlight the section of text you want to format to select it.

2.	Click the formatting feature(s) you want to use from the text styling toolbar.

Notes

•	If you select the same colour for both the text and the background colour, the text will seem to disappear. To see the text again, select a different text or background colour.

•	If you don't select any text before you change the formatting, the new style appears when you begin typing.

For more information, see:

About email

Formatting Options


Adding Favourite Place Hyperlinks to Email

If you've found a great spot on AOL or the Internet, why not share it with a friend?

To add a Favourite Place hyperlink to email you send:

1.	Click the Write icon [image] on the AOL toolbar to open a blank email form, (or use an email that you've already started writing).

2.	On the AOL toolbar, click My Favourites.

3.	Drag the Favourite Place heart you want to send to the message box on the Write Email form (if the Favourite Place is within a folder, double-click the folder to open it).

4.	Send your email as usual.

Notes

•	If you are online when you write your email, you can also drag the heart icon [image] from any window title bar directly to your email.

•	Older versions (prior to 3.0) of the AOL software cannot display hyperlinks.

•	Hyperlinks sent in email to Internet addresses may or may not display, depending on the email software the recipient uses.

For more information, see:

About email

About Favourite Places

Composing email offline


Adding Pictures to Email

Inserting a picture into your email places the image in the body of your email. Any text you type appears above or below the picture.

Adding an image as a background picture in your email fills the background behind your message with the picture. Any text you type appears on the background picture.

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Click the camera icon [image] on the style toolbar (above the message box) and select either Insert a Picture or Background Picture from the menu that appears.

3.	In the Open window, navigate to the folder that contains the image file and double-click the file name to insert the image into your email.

4.	Position your cursor before or after the image (Insert a Picture) or on the image (Background Picture), and type your message.

Notes

•	The following file types are supported for pictures: .art, .jpg, .gif, .bmp

•	Only Internet users and other members of AOL using version 4.0 or above will be able to see the image files you insert in your email.

•	If you want to send an image file to an AOL member who is using an earlier version of the software, you will have to attach the file to your email.

For more information, see:

About email

About formatting options

Adding Favourite Place hyperlinks to email

Changing the formatting


Adding a Signature to Your Email

1.	Click the Write icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Address the email as usual.

3.	Type your message.

4.	Click the pencil icon [image] on the style toolbar at the top of the message box and select the signature you want to use.

5.	Send your email as usual.

Notes

•	The signature can be added to the email at any time before you send it.

•	You can edit the signature after it has been added to the email without changing the stored signature.

For more information, see:

About email

Setting up signatures in email

Selecting a default signature

Turning off the default signature


Setting Up Email Signatures

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Email Signatures.

2.	In the Set up Signatures window, click Create.

3.	In the Signature Name box, type a name for this signature (for example; My normal signature).

4.	In the Signature box, type the text you want to use as your signature, adding any text styling features you want from the style toolbar. You can also insert a picture or other image (BMP, JPG, GIF, or ART) if you wish.

5.	Click OK.

6.	Click the [image] in the upper right corner to close the Set up Signatures window.

Notes

•	You can create and save up to five signatures.

•	You can designate one of the signatures as a default signature to be automatically inserted into the email message box on all emails you write.

For more information, see:

About email

Adding a signature to your email

Selecting a default signature

Turning off the default signature


Selecting a Default Email Signature

1.	On the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Email Signatures.

2.	In the Set up Signatures window, select the signature you want as your default signature and click Default On/Off. The signature you selected will automatically be inserted into the email message box on all subsequent emails you write.

For more information, see:

About email

Adding a signature to your email

Setting up signatures in email

Turning off the default signature


Turning Off the Default Email Signature

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Email Signatures.

2.	In the Set up Signatures window, select the default signature (it will be ticked) and click Default On/Off.

For more information, see:

About email

Adding a signature to your email

Setting up signatures in email

Selecting a default signature


Checking Your Spelling

1.	Type your message as usual.

2.	Click the [image] button above the message box on the Write Email form to check your spelling.

3.	In the spell-checking window, click the misspelled word, type in your corrections (or select one of the words from the Suggestions list), and click Replace.

Notes

•	You can also go to the Edit menu above the AOL Toolbar, and click Spell Check. The AOL software will check your message. If an error is found the spell-checking window appears, explains the error, and suggests corrections for it.

•	You can set up a preference to check the spelling in your email automatically.

•	You can customise the spelling checker to notify you only of certain types of errors.

For more information, see:

About email

Turning on the automatic spelling checker

Setting Spelling preferences


Turning on the Automatic Spelling Checker

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Email.

3.	Tick the Perform a spell check before sending email checkbox.

Note

•	If you want to send email without checking the spelling, hold the Ctrl key down when you click Send Now.

For more information, see:

About email

Checking your spelling

About email preferences


Recovering Recently Deleted Email

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	On the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Recently Deleted Email.

3.	In the Recently Deleted Email window, select the piece of email you want to retrieve.

4.	Click Keep as New. The email will move to the New Email tab in your online mailbox.

Notes

•	Email can be recovered only for 24 hours after you delete it.

•	To permanently delete a piece of email, click Permanently Delete. (You will never be able to retrieve this email again.)

For more information, see:

About email


About the Address Book

The multipurpose AOL Address Book makes it easy to keep track of email addresses, phone numbers (home, work, mobile, fax, pager), postal addresses (work and home), birthdays, anniversaries, even the home pages of all your friends! You can add email addresses to your Address Book directly from the email you receive, and you can create group mailing lists for your private use, or to share with everyone on the mailing list at Groups@AOL.

You can use your Address Book when you are online, offline, and even when you sign on to AOL with your friend's computer.

To learn all about the Address Book, click Related Topics.

 Related Topics


Adding/Editing Contact Information in the Address Book

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	In the Address Book window, do one of the following:

•	Click Add Contact to add a new contact.

•	Click an existing contact once to select it, then click Edit to modify the information for that contact

3.	Type (or edit) the information under the Contact, Home, Work, Phone, Details, or Categories tabs.

4.	When you have finished, click Save.

Notes

The following informational fields are available for each contact:

Contact tab

First Name:

Last Name: (used to alphabetise the contact in your Address Book)

Title:

Company:

Screen Name: (AOL, CompuServe, or AOL Instant Messenger)

Other Email:

Other Email:

Primary Email Address (select which email address will be used by default)

Home tab

Address: (snail mail)

City:

County:

Country:

Post Code:

Work tab

Address:

City:

County:

Country:

Post Code:

Phone tab

Type phone numbers for Home, Work, Fax, Mobile and Pager. The phone number you type in the first box appears in the main Address Book window.

Details tab

Home Page: (type a URL or Web address here)

Birthday:

Anniversary:

Partner’s Name:

Family Names:

Notes:

Categories tab

Use this tab to designate an address group for this contact to be associated with. If you store a large number of addresses in your Address Book, the Category feature can help you quickly sort your entries by allowing you to choose to display the entries of people and mailing list groups you have designated as friends or co-workers, for example.

For more information, see:

About the Address Book

Creating/editing a group mailing list

Using the Address Book when you send email


Adding an Address From Email You Receive

1.	Open the email containing the email address(es) you want to add.

2.	Highlight the email address(es) you want to add to your Address Book to select it.

3.	Click Add Address.

Notes

•	If you have set your email preferences to Show Online Presence in Email, you can add a person to your Address Book by clicking his or her email address, then selecting Add to my Address Book.

•	If you don’t select an address before clicking Add Address, the address of the person who sent you the email will be added to your Address Book.

•	If you select more than one address, each address will be added as a separate entry. To create a group listing, select the names you want added together as a group, and hold the Ctrl key down as you click Add Address.

For more information, see:

About the Address Book

Creating/editing a group mailing list

Using the Address Book when you send email


Creating/Editing a Mailing List Group

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	In the Address Book window, do one of the following:

•	click Add Group to create a new group list

•	click an existing group list once to select it, then click Edit to modify the information for that group

3.	In the Manage Group window, type (or edit) the name of the group in section 1.

4.	In section 2, select contacts to add to the group from the Contact List on the left (a list of all names in your Address Book) and click Add, or select contacts to remove from the group list on the right and click Remove.

5.	In section 3, type additional email addresses (that are not already in your Address Book) to add to the group. Type a comma after each email address you add.

6.	In section 4, click Yes or No, to share the group (at Groups@AOL).

7.	Click Save.

For more information, see:

About the Address Book

Adding/editing contact information in the Address Book

Using the Address book when you send email


Looking Up Contact Information

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	Position the cursor in the Look up: box, and begin typing the last name of the contact. As a match is located in your list, the contact details appear at the bottom of the Address Book window.

3.	If the information you need for the contact is not visible, scroll the information window at the bottom of the Address Book to see the rest of the information.

4.	Click Edit to add or change information about the contact.

For more information, see:

About the Address Book

Adding contacts to your Address Book from email you receive

Using the Address Book when you send email


Printing All Address Book Information

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	In the Address Book window, click Print.

3.	In the Print window, select All Contacts, choose a print output format, and then click OK.

Notes

•	Choosing Complete will print all information you have stored in your Address Book for each contact.

•	Choosing Summary will print key information for each contact.

•	Choosing Mailing Labels will print mailing address labels for each of your contacts using the address you have designated as primary. You must use Avery 5160 or compatible labels in your printer for this feature to function as expected.

For more information, see

About the Address Book

Printing information for a single contact in your Address Book

Printing information for multiple contacts in your Address Book

Using the Address Book when you send email


Printing Information for a Single Contact

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	In the Address Book window, select the contact whose information you want to print.

3.	Click Print.

4.	In the Print window, choose Selected contacts, choose a print output format, and then click OK.

Notes

•	Choosing Complete will print all information you have stored in your Address Book for each contact.

•	Choosing Summary will print key information for each contact.

•	Choosing Mailing Labels will print mailing address labels for each of your contacts using the address you have designated as primary. You must use Avery 5160 or compatible labels in your printer for this feature to function as expected.

For more information, see:

About the Address Book

Printing information for multiple contacts in your Address Book

Printing all information in the Address Book


Printing Information for Multiple Contacts

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Address Book.

2.	In the Address Book window, hold down the Ctrl key and select the contacts whose information you want to print.

3.	Click Print.

4.	In the Print window, choose Selected contacts, select a print output format, and then click OK.

Notes

•	Hold down the Shift key and click two non-adjacent items to select all items in between.

•	Hold down the Ctrl key and click a selected item to undo the selection.

•	Choosing Complete will print all information you have stored in your Address Book for each contact.

•	Choosing Summary will print key information for each contact.

•	Choosing Mailing Labels will print mailing address labels for each of your contacts using the address you have designated as primary. You must use Avery 5160 or compatible labels in your printer for this feature to function as expected.

For more information see:

About the Address Book

Printing all information in the Address Book

Printing information for a single contact in your Address Book

Using the Address Book when you send email


About the Personal Filing Cabinet (PFC)

The Personal Filing Cabinet helps you organise items retrieved online by Automatic AOL (files you have downloaded, incoming email, unread message boards and newsgroups) and items assembled for the next time Automatic AOL is activated (files to be downloaded, outgoing email, outgoing message board and newsgroup posts).

To open your Personal Filing Cabinet, go to the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, and click Personal Filing Cabinet.

Each Screen Name has its own Personal Filing Cabinet, stored in a single file in the AOL\ORGANISE folder. You must use the Personal Filing Cabinet feature within AOL to access the information in this file.

You cannot access your Personal Filing Cabinet if you sign on as a Guest from another member's computer.


Adding Folders to the Personal Filing Cabinet

You can add folders to your Personal Filing Cabinet from inside the Personal Filing Cabinet, from the Mailbox or, from a piece of email that you are reading.

To add folders from inside the Personal Filing Cabinet:

1.	On the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click the Email tab.

3.	Click the location for the new folder.

4.	Click Add Folder, then type the name of the new folder.

To add folders from either the Mailbox or an email you are reading:

1.	From either the Mailbox window, or from a piece of email you are reading, click the Save to menu

2.	To create a new top level folder, click Create Folder, then type in the name of the new folder.

3.	To create a subfolder, click an existing folder, click Create Folder, then type in the name of the subfolder.

Notes

•	If you select a folder, the new folder will be created inside the selected folder.

•	If you select a document, the new folder will be inserted before the document.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Controlling the size of the Personal Filing Cabinet

Deleting items from the Personal Filing Cabinet

Rearranging the contents of the Personal Filing Cabinet

Selecting multiple items to move or delete in the Personal Filing Cabinet

Searching the Personal Filing Cabinet

Sorting the items in the Personal Filing Cabinet


Deleting Items From the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	On the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click the item you want to delete.

3.	Click Delete. A confirmation window will appear asking if you are sure you want to delete the item. Click Yes to complete the deletion.

Notes

•	To access the Personal Filing Cabinet for other Screen Names on your account, select a different Screen Name from the Select Screen Name list on the Sign-On screen.

•	You can use multiple selection techniques to select more than one item at a time for deletion.

•	If you delete a folder, you will also delete all items inside the folder.

•	You can only delete folders you have created within the Personal Filing Cabinet.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Adding folders to the Personal Filing Cabinet

Controlling the size of the Personal Filing Cabinet

Recovering unused space in the Personal Filing Cabinet


Rearranging the Contents of the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Navigate to the tabbed area in which you want to rearrange the folders (i.e., Email, Newsgroups).

3.	Drag a folder or file to a new location within the area of the Personal Filing Cabinet you are currently viewing (i.e., Email, Newsgroups).

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Adding Folders to the Personal Filing Cabinet

Deleting Items From the Personal Filing Cabinet

Sorting the Email Items in the Personal Filing Cabinet


Controlling the Size of the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	On the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

3.	Adjust the file size setting as desired in the section labelled: Issue warning about the PFC if the file size reaches _?_ megabytes.

4.	Click Save.

Notes

•	Information is not automatically deleted from your Personal Filing Cabinet. If you no longer want items to reside there, you must delete them.

•	Compacting the Personal Filing Cabinet will reclaim unused space left when you delete items.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Adding Folders to the Personal Filing Cabinet

Deleting Items From the Personal Filing Cabinet

Selecting Multiple Items to Move or Delete in the Personal Filing Cabinet


Recovering Unused Space in the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click Manage, then click Compact.

Note

When you delete files from your Personal Filing Cabinet, the database file is not compacted, and empty space on your computer is not reclaimed until you run this utility.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Deleting Items From the Personal Filing Cabinet


Backing Up the Information in Your Personal Filing Cabinet

Backing up your Personal Filing Cabinet lets you safeguard the information you have stored there. In the event that you experience problems with your Personal Filing Cabinet, it is easy to restore lost information.

You can back up your Personal Filing Cabinet manually or you can set a preference to do it automatically at a desired interval.

To manually back up your Personal Filing Cabinet

From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

Click Manage, then select Backup.

Click Backup PFC Now to create a backup copy of your Personal Filing Cabinet in the AOL 8.0 Backup directory.

To set a preference to automatically back up your Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click Manage, then select Backup.

3.	Click Preferences. The Personal Filing Cabinet Preferences window will appear.

4.	Check the box labelled Automatically backup my PFC every ____ weeks, and enter how often (in weeks) you want your Personal Filing Cabinet backed up. You may choose a number between 1 and 4.

5.	Click Save.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Restoring the information in your Personal Filing Cabinet


Restoring the Information in Your Personal Filing Cabinet

In the event that you experience problems with your Personal Filing Cabinet and lose its contents, it is easy to restore information that you previously backed up.

To restore your Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click Manage, then select Restore.

3.	Click Yes to restore the previously backed up contents of your PFC.

Note

•	You can only use the Restore command if you have previously backed up the contents of your PFC.

•	When you use the Restore command, you replace the current contents of your Personal Filing Cabinet with your backup copy. Once you do this, you will not be able to access the contents of your current Personal Filing Cabinet.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Backing up the information in your Personal Filing Cabinet


Requiring a Password for Your Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	Sign on to AOL with the Screen Name for which you want to store the password.

2.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

3.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Passwords.

4.	Type the password for your Screen Name in the Password box.

5.	Tick the PFC checkbox.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Setting Password preferences


Saving Email to the Personal Filing Cabinet Automatically

You can set a preference to automatically save your email to the Personal Filing Cabinet.

To save email automatically to the Personal Filing Cabinet:

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

•	To save incoming email, tick the Retain all email I read in my Personal Filing Cabinet checkbox.

•	To save outgoing email, tick the Retain all email I send in my Personal Filing Cabinet checkbox.

Note

•	To open your Personal Filing Cabinet, click Personal Filing Cabinet from the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar. (You can read email stored in your Personal Filing Cabinet when you are not signed on to AOL.)

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

About email


Saving Email to the Personal Filing Cabinet Manually

1.	Click the tab in which the email you wish to save is listed (New Email, Old Email, or Sent Email).

2.	Click once to highlight the piece of email you wish to save in your Personal Filing Cabinet.

3.	Click the Save to menu, then select the location where you want to save your email. (For example, Incoming/Saved Email).

Note

•	If you wish to create a new folder within the Personal Filing Cabinet in which to save your email, click the Save to menu, and then click Create Folder.

•	If you wish to create a new subfolder under an existing top level folder, click the Save to menu, point to the subfolder, and then click Create Folder.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Saving email to the Personal Filing Cabinet automatically


Saving Email With Embedded Images to Your Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the Read icon on the AOL toolbar.

3.	Double-click an email item with an embedded picture to read it.

4.	Click the Save to Personal Filing Cabinet button, then select the location where you want to save your email. (For example, Incoming/Saved Email).

Important

•	If you get an email with an embedded image and save it directly to your Personal Filing Cabinet without opening it first, the image will not be viewable when you access the email from your Personal Filing Cabinet.

•	Embedded images in email retrieved using Automatic AOL will not be viewable.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Saving email to the Personal Filing Cabinet automatically


Searching the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	On the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click Find.

3.	Specify the search criteria.

Note

•	You can use a more limited search function, Find in Top Window, on the Edit menu, anywhere on the service.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet


Sorting the Email Items in Your Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click the Email tab (if it's not already in focus).

3.	Select the folder that you would like to sort. (For example, the Incoming/Saved Email folder)

4.	On the Sort folder by... menu, select a sort option. You can sort using the following parameters:

•	Oldest – Sorts items chronologically (oldest first), based on date stamp.

•	Newest – Sorts items in reverse-chronological order (newest first), based on date stamp.

•	Subject – Items with matching subjects are grouped together, then groups are sorted alphabetically within the list based on the subject. (Re: and Fwd: will be ignored when sorting by subject.)

•	Email Type – Sorts email into groups, based on the following email types, and displays them in the following order:

•	People you know (email from people on your Buddy List window, people in your Address Book or Official Email from AOL)

•	Bulk senders (email from senders designated as bulk senders by AOL)

•	Unknown senders (senders that are neither people you know or bulk senders)

•	Email Address – Sorts items alphabetically based on email address of sender for Incoming email, email address of recipient(s) for outbound email, and Screen Name poster for Newsgroup postings.

Notes

•	You can only sort the items listed under the Email tab.

•	Sorting happens only at the current level, and does not apply to folders within folders. Items affected by the selected Sort Type will be placed at the top of the folder in which they reside. Items not affected by the selected Sort Type will be placed beneath the sorted content in the order they existed before the sort was performed.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Searching the Personal Filing Cabinet


Selecting Multiple Items to Move or Delete From the Personal Filing Cabinet

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Hold down the Ctrl key and click each item you want to select.

Notes

•	Hold down the Shift key and click two non-adjacent items to select all items in between.

•	Hold down the Ctrl key and click a selected item to undo the selection.

For more information, see:

About the Personal Filing Cabinet


About Automatic AOL

You can use the Automatic AOL function to perform tasks for your account automatically. You can:

•	send and retrieve email.

•	send and retrieve newsgroup or message board postings.

•	download files you have collected in your Download Manager.

You can run Automatic AOL on demand, or set up a schedule and have the tasks performed at certain times of the day whether you're at your computer or not.

Important: Choosing to perform an Automatic AOL session for more than one Screen Name may result in the AOL software failing to run properly.

Notes

•	Each Screen Name has its own incoming mailbox, outgoing mailbox, and Download Manager.

•	You cannot use Automatic AOL if you are signed on as a guest.


Activating Automatic AOL

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Automatic AOL.

2.	Click Run Automatic AOL Now.

Notes

•	If you are online when you activate Automatic AOL, it will run for the Screen Name you are signed on with.

•	Choosing to perform an Automatic AOL session for more than one Screen Name may result in the AOL software failing to run properly.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

Scheduling Automatic AOL

Turning off Automatic AOL


Scheduling Automatic AOL

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

3.	Click Select Names to choose a Screen Name for which to run Automatic AOL.

4.	Select the tasks that you want Automatic AOL to perform. These include:

•	Send email from the ‘Email Waiting to be Sent’ folder.

•	Get unread email and put it in ‘Incoming Email’ folder.

•	Download files that are attached to unread email.

•	Send postings from the ‘Postings Waiting to be Sent’ folder.

•	Get unread postings and put in ‘Incoming Postings’ folder.

•	Download files marked to be downloaded later.

5.	Click Schedule Automatic AOL.

6.	Tick the Enable Scheduler checkbox, select the days and times you want Automatic AOL to run, then click OK.

7.	Make sure the AOL application is open (not signed on) at the scheduled time.

Notes

•	If you are online when you activate Automatic AOL, it will run for the Screen Name you are signed on with.

•	Choosing to perform an Automatic AOL session for more than one Screen Name may result in the AOL software failing to perform properly.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

Activating Automatic AOL

Turning off Automatic AOL


Turning Off Automatic AOL

1.	From the Email menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Automatic AOL.

2.	Click Schedule Automatic AOL.

3.	Clear the Enable Scheduler checkbox.

4.	Click OK.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

Activating Automatic AOL

Scheduling Automatic AOL


Setting Up Automatic AOL to Download Files

1.	If you have not already done so, select the files you want to download.

2.	On the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

3.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

4.	Tick the checkbox labelled: Download files marked to be downloaded later.

5.	Click Select Names and select a Screen Name and type your AOL password, then click OK.

6.	Click Run Automatic AOL Now.

Notes

•	If you are online when you activate Automatic AOL, it will run for the Screen Name you are signed on with.

•	Choosing to perform an Automatic AOL session for more than one Screen Name may result in the AOL software failing to run properly.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

About Downloading


Setting Up Automatic AOL to Send/Retrieve Newsgroup Postings

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

3.	Tick the checkbox labelled: Send postings from the ‘Postings Waiting to be Sent’ folder.

4.	Tick the checkbox labelled: Get unread postings and put in ‘Incoming Postings’ folder.

5.	Click Select Names and select a Screen Name and type your AOL password, then click OK.

6.	Click the [image] in the top right corner of the Automatic AOL screen to close it.

Notes

•	Anyone who has physical access to your computer can sign on to your account if you store your password.

•	If you decide not to store your passwords, you can sign on to AOL with each Screen Name and start Automatic AOL manually while you are online.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

About newsgroups

Reading and responding to postings offline

Selecting newsgroups to read offline


Setting Up Automatic AOL to Send/Retrieve Email

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

3.	Tick the checkbox labelled: Send email from the ‘Email Waiting to be Sent’ folder.

4.	Tick the checkbox labelled: Get unread email and put in ‘Incoming Email’ folder.

5.	Click Select Names and select a Screen Name and type your AOL password, then click OK.

6.	Click the [image] in the top right corner of the Automatic AOL screen to close it.

Notes

•	Anyone who has physical access to your computer can sign on to your account if you store your password.

•	If you decide not to store your passwords, you can sign on to AOL with each Screen Name and start Automatic AOL manually while you are online.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

About email


Reading and Responding to Newsgroup Postings When You Are Not Signed On

1.	On the File menu, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

2.	Click the Newsgroups tab.

3.	In the Incoming/Saved Postings folder, double-click the message you want to read.

4.	Highlight a section of text to select it, if you want to quote it in your response.

5.	Click Reply to Group to send a response to the message board or newsgroup (or Reply to Author if you want to send a private email as a response).

6.	Compose your response to the quoted material and click Send Later.

Notes

•	If you click Reply to Author, you will need to set up Automatic AOL to send outgoing email before your response will be sent.)

•	The ability to use automatic quoting in replies to newsgroup messages is only available on messages retrieved by Automatic AOL and responded to from the Personal Filing Cabinet.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

Setting up Automatic AOL to send or retrieve postings

About newsgroups


Selecting Message Boards to Read When You Are Not Signed On

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Open the message board that you want to read offline.

3.	Click a folder once to select it and click Subscribe (see notes below).

4.	In the message board window, click Preferences.

5.	On the Viewing tab in the Global Message Board Preferences window, limit the maximum number of posts to be downloaded by adjusting the figures in the Offline Reading and Days Back boxes.

6.	Go to AOL Keyword: My Boards.

7.	Click the folder once to select it and click Read Offline. The icon for the folder will change to a folder with a clock.

Notes

If there is not a Subscribe button visible, click the folder with the arrow in the upper left corner of the message board window to move back up to the next level of message board folders. A list of message boards in that folder appears. Click once on the message board you want to read to select it, and then click Subscribe.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL


Selecting Newsgroups to Read When You Are Not Signed On

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Go to AOL Keyword: Newsgroups.

3.	Click Read Offline.

4.	Select newsgroups from your Subscribed Newsgroups to add as Newsgroups to Read Offline.

For more information, see:

About newsgroups

About Automatic AOL

Setting up Automatic AOL to send or retrieve postings

Reading Newsgroups Offline


Using Automatic AOL to Read Message Boards and Newsgroups When You Are Not Signed On

Overview

(For detailed instructions on any step, click the link.)

•	Select message boards for Automatic AOL to retrieve.

•	Select the newsgroups you want to read offline.

•	Set up Automatic AOL to send and retrieve postings.

•	Activate Automatic AOL (to retrieve unread message board posts).

•	Read (and respond to) the messages in your Personal Filing Cabinet.

•	Activate Automatic AOL (to send outgoing message board posts).

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL


Storing Passwords for Automatic AOL

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

3.	Click Select Names.

4.	Select the Screen Name you want Automatic AOL to use.

5.	Type your AOL password for the Screen Name you selected.

Notes

•	If you are online when you activate Automatic AOL, it will run for the Screen Name you are signed on with.

•	Choosing to perform an Automatic AOL session for more than one Screen Name may result in the AOL software failing to run properly.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL


About the Mailer-Daemon

If you receive email from mailer-daemon, it means there was a problem with an email you sent recently to an Internet address.

An example of an Internet address is:

username@domainname.com

 Some common mailer-daemon errors:

Unknown Host

Check the domainname section for possible spelling errors. It is also possible that the computers corresponding to that Internet address are temporarily unavailable.

Unknown User

Check the username section for possible spelling errors.

Service Unavailable

Try sending your email again later; the receiving site is down temporarily.

Unbalanced

Check the address for extraneous quotation marks or parentheses.

Cannot Send for XX Days

Try sending your email again in a day or two.

Unrecoverable Error

The message left AOL properly, but critical errors occurred within the receiving system.

For more information, see:

About email


Problems Sending Long Email Messages

You may experience connection problems sending long emails or emails with large file attachments if you are using an RPI (Rockwell Protocol Interface) modem. RPI is a type of modem that uses software as part of its operation. Even though you do not have a Rockwell brand modem, your modem may still use the RPI technology.

If you have an RPI modem, you'll need to determine which type of RPI modem it is, obtain and install the appropriate WinRPI driver, and create a custom modem profile for use with AOL.

For help determining if you have an RPI modem and to download the WinRPI driver you need, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: RPI.

For more information, see:

About email


Member's Mailbox is Full

AOL sets generous limits on the number of messages that can be maintained by any account. However, some members do manage to reach the limit, especially if they keep all email as new, receive a lot of email, or subscribe to mailing lists. You will not be able to send email to the person until he or she clears out some email.

For more information, see:

About email


Common Errors Sending Email to the Internet

A typical Internet email address follows this basic format:

username@domainname.com

Most addressing errors fall into these categories:

Typographical errors

Check the email address carefully to make sure you are typing it exactly as it was given to you.

Capitalisation

Some Internet addresses are case-sensitive. Try typing the address using all lower case letters.

Extra spaces

Internet addresses contain no spaces. Some addresses may contain an underscore to separate two words, for example: firstname_lastname@domainname.com

Unnecessary designations

AOL does not require any special characters to designate an Internet address. Simply use the full Internet address

For more information, see:

About email


Member Is Not Accepting Email

AOL's Mail Controls feature allows members to determine who they will accept email from.

If a member has set Mail Controls that block you from sending him or her email, you will not be able to use email to make contact.

For more information, see:

About email


This Is Not a Known Member

You are trying to send email to a Screen Name that doesn't exist: either the account has been closed, or you have misspelled the Screen Name. Close the error message window and double-check the spelling of the recipient's Screen Name.

For more information, see:

About email


About Downloading

Downloading is the process of transferring a file from another computer to your computer. Files you can download from AOL include pictures, sounds, text documents, videos, and programs. If your email messages have attached files, you will download those as well.

WARNING! Never download email attachments unless you know the sender! Downloaded files can contain computer viruses or Trojan Horse programs. Viruses and Trojan Horse programs may cause harm to your computer hardware or software, can contain objectionable graphics, or may even compromise the security of your AOL account. When downloading files, you should always check for viruses and Trojan Horse programs before you open the files. To learn more about computer viruses and to get anti-virus software, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Virus.


File Types and Extensions

Files available online include text files, programs, images, sounds and videos. The file name may indicate what type of file it is. In other cases, you may need to read a description of the file to find out what it is and how to use it.

Determining file type from a description

When you find a file online that interests you, look for a button labelled Read Description. If the file is in an AOL file library, you should see File Type in the description. File Type will tell you if the file is in the public domain, shareware, or a demo. Files attached to email or downloaded from some Web sites may not contain descriptions.

Common file types and extensions

The letters or numbers following a period at the end of a file name are called an extension, and usually indicate the file type. Extensions are used more often for Windows files, but you will also see certain extensions used for Macintosh files. Not all file names have extensions, and not all extensions indicate the file type.

Below is a list of common file extensions and information on the type of file (graphics, programs, sounds) they indicate:

.arc

Indicates a file compressed using the program ARC (archive).

.art

Indicates a graphics file compressed using AOL's Johnson-Grace system. These files can be viewed using your AOL software but can't be opened with most other programs.

.avi

Indicates an audio visual file, used for Windows video files. AOL's Windows software will display these files.

.bmp

Indicates a Windows bitmap – a type of graphics file. AOL's software can display these files.

.dll

Indicates a Dynamic Link Library. These files allow different programs to work together. They usually need to be installed to the Windows/System directory.

.eps

Indicates an Encapsulated Postscript File. These are images designed for vector, or line-based, drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator. AOL's software cannot display these files.

.exe

Indicates an executable file (a program); these files are usually DOS or Windows applications. Be careful when downloading any .exe files from anyone you don't know. They may contain viruses or Trojan Horse programs. Protect yourself and find more information at AOL Keyword: Virus

.gif

Indicates Graphics Interchange Format – a type of graphic image very common in online services and the Internet. GIF includes file compression as part of its definition, so no additional file compression software is needed. AOL's software can display these.

.jpg or .jpeg

Indicates Joint Photographic Experts Group – a graphics format designed to take up as little space as possible while retaining as much quality as possible. JPG files are smaller than GIF files, but take longer to display. AOL's software will display these files.

.me

This file extension tells you to do something. For example, files named read.me usually contain last-minute instructions and updated information.

.mid (.midi)

Indicates a Musical Instrument Digital Interface file. MIDI files are songs for most sound cards and MIDI boards. AOL's software will play these files.

.mme

Indicates a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) file. MIME converts a binary attachment (a program or word processing document or even an image) to a text format that can be handled by the machines that send email through the Internet.

.mod

Indicates a music module. These are music files that include the instruments as well as the score, and they play through a sound card, not MIDI. You will need a special program to play these files in Windows or on the Macintosh.

.pcx

Indicates older graphics files, commonly used for clip art.

.pct or .pict

Indicates the original Macintosh graphics format. AOL's Macintosh software will display these files.

.sea

Indicates a self extracting archive – a type of compression file. These are Macintosh files that, when run, 'unfold' into several smaller files. They cannot be used in Windows.

.scr

Indicates a Windows screen saver file. These will not work unless placed in your C:\Windows directory.

.sit

Indicates a StuffIt file. These are Macintosh compressed files that can be extracted by Windows users with programs such as UnSit and UnStuff. Some of the files with this extension will not run on Windows, even after extraction. AOL's Macintosh software will open these files.

.snd

Indicates a sound file. These are Macintosh System 7 sounds that can be played on Windows using converters such as SOX. AOL's Macintosh software will run these files.

.tif

Indicates a Tagged Image File – bitmapped graphic images popular among desktop publishers. AOL's software will not display these files.

.ttf

Indicates a True Type Font. These are scalable fonts commonly used in Windows. You will need to run the Windows Control Panel to install them.

.txt

Indicates a text file. These are usually just plain text that can be read by most programs, especially Notepad, on Windows, and Simple Text, on Macs. AOL's software will display these if they are 32K or less in size.

.wav

Indicates a Windows sound file. Mac users can find utilities in the Software Centre at AOL Keyword: Software to convert them to sound files that the Macintosh can play. AOL's Windows software will play these files.

.zip

Indicates a PKzip archive. This is the most common format for compressed files. AOL's Windows software will automatically decompress these files if you download them from an email or a file library.

For more information, see:

About Downloading


Downloading Files

1.	Go to AOL Keyword: File Search to find files for downloading. (Or any other location from which you can download a file.)

2.	Double-click the file you would like to download.

3.	Click Download Now. A dialog box will appear, showing the location where the file will be saved, and the name of the file. Note this information so you can find the downloaded file later.

4.	Click Save to begin downloading the file.

Note

•	Many downloaded files have been compressed so they will transfer in less time. AOL automatically decompresses most common compression formats when you sign off. Some compression formats may require special software to decompress.

WARNING ! Downloaded files can contain computer viruses or Trojan Horse programs. Viruses and Trojan Horse programs may cause harm to your computer hardware or software, can contain objectionable graphics, or may even compromise the security of your AOL account. When downloading files, you should always check for viruses and Trojan Horse programs before you open the files. To learn more about computer viruses and to get anti-virus software, sign on to AOL and visit AOL Keyword: Virus.

For more information, see:

About Downloading

About file types and extensions

Locating files you've downloaded

Setting Download preferences


Downloading Files Attached to Email

When you receive email with a "disk and envelope" icon [image] in your New Email window, that means there's a file attached to the message. In order to see or use the attached file, you need to download it. Remember: NEVER download a file unless you know the person who sent it.

To download a file attached to email you receive:

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the Read icon on the AOL toolbar.

3.	Double-click the piece of email with the file attachment to open it.

4.	Click Download, then click Download Now.

5.	Choose a folder on your computer for the file to be downloaded to, and click Save.

6.	The download will commence. After it has finished, a confirmation window will appear asking if you would like to locate the file.

•	Click Open File if you would like to view the file immediately (this works only if you have software capable of opening the type of file you just downloaded)

•	Click Find File to have AOL open the folder that the file was saved to.

•	Click Close if you wish to open the file at a later time.

Notes

•	To help you safeguard your computer from potential viruses and Trojan Horse programs, Open File is not available on the download confirmation window for file types that may contain harmful code (e.g., EXE, VBS, BAT, COM, etc.).

•	To mark files to be downloaded later, click Download, on the email window, then click Download Later.

•	All files you download are placed in the AOL Downloads folder on your computer, unless you have changed the default download destination folder.

•	If you receive a suspicious file from someone you do not know, click Forward and send the email to Screen Name COSFiles.

•	You must have software that is compatible with the file(s). For example, if you receive a WordPerfect file, you must have either WordPerfect or a word processing program capable of opening WordPerfect files. Also make sure the file is compatible with your computer; a Macintosh machine may not be able to read some Windows files, and vice versa.

For more information, see:

About Downloading

Locating files you've downloaded

Setting Download preferences


Locating Files You've Downloaded

1.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager.

2.	The Files You've Downloaded folder contains a list of files you've downloaded (if necessary, double-click on the folder to open it).

3.	Click once on the file you wish to locate on your computer.

4.	Click Find File to open the folder containing the file.

Notes

•	By default, all files you download from AOL are saved in the AOL Downloads folder on your computer as follows:

•	For Windows XP users, C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\AOL Downloads

•	For Windows 2000 users, C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\AOL Downloads

•	For Windows 98 and Windows ME users, C:\My Documents\AOL Downloads

•	The default download folder can be changed by clicking Preferences in the Download Manager window.

•	If you rename, move, or delete a file after you first downloaded it, the Download Manager will not be able to locate it.

For more information, see:

About Downloading

Downloading files

Downloading files attached to email


Problems with Compressed (Zipped) Files

You may experience problems compressing or decompressing files for these reasons:

The compressed file is damaged

Contact the person who sent you the file.

Lack of space on your computer

Your computer may not have enough hard drive space to hold both the compressed file and the decompressed file into it's original larger file. Delete some files on your computer that you no longer need.

For more information, see:

About Downloading

About zipped (compressed) files

Unzipping (decompressing) downloaded files using the Download Manager


About the Download Manager

The Download Manager is a record of all files you have downloaded from AOL, or are in the process of downloading. It provides an easy way for you to find files you've previously downloaded, or (in conjunction with Automatic AOL) set up a list of files to be downloaded automatically while you are away from your computer.

To access your Download Manager, click the File menu above your AOL toolbar, then click Download Manager. You will see a list of all files you have already downloaded, or where the download is still in progress (files you have chosen to download later, etc).

You can perform various tasks in the Download Manager, as follows:

Open File automatically finds and opens a downloaded file so you can use it (this option is only available for finished downloads)

Find File opens the folder on your computer where a downloaded file was saved (this option is only available for finished downloads)

Finish Download initiates the download process for any files you have yet to download (this option is only available when you are signed on.)

View Details lets you read a description of a file (this option is only available when you are signed on.)

Attach to email automatically attaches the selected file(s) to a blank email so you can send them to someone else.

Remove lets you delete a file from the Download Manager list. (Note: for finished downloads, this does not delete the file itself from your hard drive)

Preferences allows you to change your download settings, such as the default folder to use for downloads.

Warning!

Files sent over the Internet or through email can contain computer viruses or Trojan Horse programs. Viruses and Trojan Horse programs can cause harm to your computer files, may contain objectionable graphics, or can even compromise the security of your AOL account. When downloading files, you should always check for viruses and Trojan Horse programs before you open the files. To get the latest virus-protection tips and software, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Virus.


Downloading Files in the Download Manager

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager.

3.	Click once on the file(s) you wish to download. (To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key while you click)

4.	Click Finish Download.

For more information, see:

About the Download Manager


Viewing Files You've Downloaded

1.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager. Files you've already downloaded will be marked with a red tick and will say "Finished" in the Progress column.

2.	Click once on any individual file to select it, then click Find File to open the folder on your computer where the file was saved.


Changing the Destination Folder for Downloaded Files

1.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager.

2.	Click Preferences.

3.	The current directory your downloaded files are stored in is displayed in the Put Files I Download in the Following directory box. To change this folder, click the Browse button and choose a new folder to save future downloads to.

4.	Click Save to store your preferences.

Note

•	If you click Download Now (rather than Download Later) when you download a file, you will be prompted to manually select the folder where you want to save the file on your computer.

For more information, see:

About the Download Manager

Setting Download preferences


Marking Files to be Downloaded

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Locate a file online that you want to download (or an email attachment).

3.	Click Download Later. (If an email attachment, click Download, then click Download Later.)

Later on, when you wish to start downloading this file you can do so from the Download Manager:

1.	From the File menu on the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager. The file(s) you chose to download later will be listed. (Downloads not yet completed will be unticked.)

2.	Highlight the file(s) you wish to download and click Finish Download. (To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key while you click on each file)

For more information, see:

About the Download Manager


Setting Download Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Download.

3.	Select your download preferences.

4.	Click OK.

Notes

The following preference options are available:

Automatically decompress ZIP files:

Select when (or if) you want compressed files automatically expanded after you download them.

•	When I download them

•	When I sign off

•	Do not decompress

Notify me before downloading questionable files

When you select this preference, a confirmation appears before you download certain file types (graphic images or executable files). Selecting this preference does not prevent you from downloading these types of files. If you don't know the person who sent the email, you may not want to download the file, since it could contain an objectionable image or a computer virus.

Automatically display images after downloading

When you select this preference, AOL will open and display graphics files as you download them. Otherwise, you must open the file (either with AOL or another graphics program) to view the file after you download it.

Confirm when I add files to my download list

When you select this preference, AOL will ask you to click OK each time you add a file to your Download Manager. Otherwise, files are added to the Download Manager without notification.

Delete ZIP files after they are decompressed

When you select this preference, AOL will delete the compressed file, leaving expanded contents in your download folder. Otherwise, the compressed file is not deleted.

Retain information about my last ___ downloads

When you select this preference, AOL will keep track of recent downloads (in the Download Manager). Use the arrows or enter a number to specify how many previously downloaded files AOL keeps track of. Otherwise, the Download Manager does not retain any information about the files you download.

Put files I download in the following directory:

The folder name appears in the text box. Type the name of the new folder you want to use for future downloads, or click Browse to select a new folder by browsing your hard drive.

For more information, see:

About Organisation preferences

Setting the auto-decompress preference

About Downloading


About Compressed (ZIP) files

Files are zipped, or compressed, for two basic reasons: to fit a number of files into one space or to reduce one very large file to a smaller size. Compressed files download faster and save storage space, but they must be decompressed before you can use them.

Most compressed Windows files end with a .zip file extension and most compressed Mac files end in a .sit file extension, and these compression formats are often not cross-platform compatible. For example, AOL Windows software cannot generally decompress Macintosh .sit files.

In most cases, you will not need additional software to compress or decompress your files.

If you attach more than one file to email you send, the AOL software will automatically compress your files together in one .zip file.

You can set a preference to have AOL automatically decompress ZIP files upon download.

To find and download third-party software for other compressing or decompressing needs, go to AOL Keyword: File Search, and search on the word ‘compression’. You'll find instructions for using these programs in the documentation that accompanies them.

For more information, see:

Problems with zipped (.zip) files

Setting Download preferences

Setting the auto-decompress preference


Decompressing (Unzipping) Downloaded Files Using Download Manager

A file with the .zip extension is in compressed format and must be decompressed, or ‘unzipped’ before you can use it. If you've downloaded a compressed file, you can decompress that file automatically using the Download Manager.

To decompress files using the Download Manager:

1.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Download Manager.

2.	Click once on a file with .zip extension

3.	Click Open File to unzip the file. The expanded file(s) will be placed in the same folder as the zipped file.

Note

•	You can set a preference to have files decompressed automatically when you download them. Simply click Preferences on the Download Manager window.

For more information, see:

About the Download Manager

Setting the auto-decompress preference


Using the AOL Toolbar

The row of colourful buttons near the top of your AOL screen is called the ‘toolbar’. On the top row of the toolbar are ‘menus’ (identified by down arrows). These menus are used to organise AOL's features and services for easy access. Just click the menu heading to view the options.

Below the menus are ‘icons’. These give you a quick way to get to AOL's most popular features. Just click and go. For example, clicking the Write icon opens the Write Email window.

The Toolbar Menus

 Click the Email menu to see a list of options for handling your email, such as Email Controls, SetupAutomatic AOL, viewing Recently Deleted Email, and creating Email Signatures. (Some of these features are available only while you are signed on to AOL.)

 Click the People menu to see a list of features related to communicating with friends and family online, such as Chat, Buddy List, Instant Messages, Groups@AOL, and much more. (This menu is available only while you are signed on to AOL.)

 Click the AOL Services menu to see a list of AOL features and services, such as Online Support, Calendar, Homework Help, Cinema Listings, Share Portfolio and more. (Some of these features are available only while you are signed on to AOL.)

 Click the Settings menu to see a list of options for personalising your AOL experience, such as Preferences, Parental Controls, Screen Names, Passwords, and more. (Many of these features are available only while you are signed on to AOL.)

 Click the Favourites menu to see a list of options for organising AOL to fit your style and setting up customised navigation to your favourite areas on the service. (Many of these features are available only while you are signed on to AOL.)

The Toolbar Icons

 Click Read to open your mailbox, where you can read new email, old email, and email you've sent. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click Write to display a blank email form. Use this to create and send an email message.

 Click the IM icon to open a blank Instant Message form. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the Chat icon to access Chat & Community, which includes links to chat rooms, AOL Live, AOL home pages, and more. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the Parental Controls icon to specify which areas of the AOL service and the Internet your children can use. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the Internet icon to access the Internet, FTP sites, and AOL's search tool. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the About Me icon to review your Profile, Web Page, Expressions and other AOL Preferences. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the My Favourites icon to open your Favourite Places window. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

—————————————————————————————

Customisable Icons

In the area to the right of the My Favourites icon, you can add your own links to the places and features on AOL you like to visit most. There are three icons there by default, which you may replace.

The default customisable icons are:

 Click the Shop icon to go to Shop@AOL, where you can purchase anything from clothing to pet products online. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the Your Money icon to access your Portfolio and get the latest financial news and information. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

 Click the Friends on AOL icon to get your friends online with AOL. You can also earn £30 for each friend you recommend. (This feature is only available when you are signed on.)

The precise number of customised icons you can add depends on your screen resolution.

To add an icon to the toolbar:

1.	Go to the area that you’d like add to your toolbar, then click the Favourite Places heart [image] in the top right corner of the window.

2.	Click Add to Toolbar.

3.	Select an icon, then type a label (up to eight characters).

4.	Click OK. Your new icon appears on the toolbar.

To remove an icon from the toolbar:

•	Right click the icon you wish to remove, then click Remove from toolbar.

For more information, see:

Using the Navigation Bar

Using the Menu Bar

About AOL Channels


Using the Navigation Bar

The navigation bar, located immediately below the AOL toolbar, contains controls for the AOL Web browser. When a button is displayed in colour, that function is available. When a button appears dimmed, that function is not available. Hold your mouse over a button for a second or two to bring up a ‘balloon’ explaining that button's purpose.

From left to right on the navigation bar, the features are:

 Click Channels to view/hide a list of AOL Channels.

 Click AOL Keyword to open the Keyword window. (Typing a Web address or Keyword in the box in the Keyword window is the same as typing it in the text box on the navigation bar.)

 Click Back to go to the previous page you viewed in this session. (A session takes place from the time you open a browser to the time you close it.)

 Click Forward if you've backtracked to a particular page by clicking the Back button.

 Click Stop if a page is taking too long to load and you want to stop loading the graphics, if you decide not to visit the page, or if you selected the wrong link.

 Click Reload if you've changed your graphics settings and want to view the current page with the different settings, if the page has content that changes periodically, or if you experience problems downloading the page.

 The address bar performs the following useful functions:

•	It displays the Web address of the current page you are viewing (if applicable).

•	To go to a new Web address (or an AOL Keyword), type the Web address or Keyword into the bar and click Go.

•	To search for information or areas of interest on AOL and the Web, simply type a word or phrase that describes the topic you are looking for and click Go.

•	 Click the small "down arrow" button on the right side of the bar to see up to 25 areas or Web pages you've recently visited. (You can then click any of them to revisit them again)

For more information, see:

Using the AOL Toolbar

Using the Menu Bar

About AOL Channels


Using the Menu Bar

The words across the top of your screen – File, Edit, Print, Window, Sign On/Off and Help – make up the AOL menu bar. The familiar menu bar format gives you access to common commands like Open, Exit, Save, Copy, and Paste as well as commands needed to get around AOL.

Click a word in the menu bar to open a menu of related commands. Items that appear dimmed are not available (usually because you're not signed on to AOL, or because you are signed on using the Guest feature).

You can open any menu by typing Alt and the underlined letter in the menu name. For example, to open the Window menu, type Alt + W. When a menu is open, you can also use Alt and the underlined letter to open any item that appears on the menu.

The File Menu

New – creates a new document.

Open – opens an existing document.

Open Picture Finder – opens thumbnail pictures in a browse format.

Open CD/Media Player – Will start the AOL Media Player.

Save – saves the document you're working on.

Save As – names and saves the document you're working on.

Print – opens the Print dialog box. From here you can print single or multiple copies of emails, text from Web sites, and other information

Print Setup – opens the Windows Print Setup dialog box.

Personal Filing Cabinet – opens the Personal Filing Cabinet feature, where you can store email.

Save to Personal Filing Cabinet – saves the email you're reading.

Download Manager – opens the Download Manager.

Log Manager – opens the Log Manager.

Exit – closes the AOL software.

The Edit Menu

Provides familiar editing commands like Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste and Select All. It also allows you to Spell Check email or other documents, consult a Dictionary or Thesaurus, and Capture online pictures and images.

The Print Menu

From here you can print single or multiple copies of emails, text from Web sites, and other information. You can also open the Windows Print Setup dialog box.

The Window Menu

Lets you arrange windows within AOL and remember their sizes. It also keeps a list of how many AOL windows are currently open on your screen.

The Sign Off Menu

Allows you to sign off from the AOL service, or to Switch Screen Names without signing off and losing your connection. When you are not signed on, the title of this menu changes to Sign On and lets you display the Sign-On screen if it has been closed.

The Help Menu

Lets you access AOL Help resources, such as online customer support, and information about your AOL account. You can use About AOL to check what version of the AOL software you are currently running.

For more information, see:

Using the AOL Toolbar

Using the Navigation Bar

About AOL Channels


About AOL Channels

AOL organises the many areas of interest available to you into ‘channels’. (You must be signed on to AOL to view AOL channels.)

You can view a list of channels in the channel selection window. Each time you sign on to AOL, the channel selection window will appear on the left side of your screen. If you don't see the window, click the Channels button on the far left side of the Navigation bar. When you click a channel, the main screen for that channel appears and you'll find:

•	The main departments in that channel.

•	Links to channel highlights and special features.

To change channels, click a different channel in the channel selection window.

For more information, see:

Using the AOL Toolbar

Using the Navigation Bar

Using the Menu Bar


Changing Windows Colours and Fonts

1.	On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (Windows XP users, click Start then click Control Panel)

2.	Double-click Display. (Windows XP users may need to click Switch to Classic View in order for this option to be visible)

3.	In the Display Properties window, click the Appearance tab.

4.	Select a scheme for the list, or create your own custom scheme, and click OK.

Note

•	Some areas of AOL are not affected by the colour scheme you have chosen within Windows.


Using the Find in Top Window Feature

1.	Click anywhere in the AOL window you want to search, to make it the active window.

2.	On the Edit menu, click Find in Top Window.

3.	Type the word or phrase you want to search for and click Find.


Creating Keyboard Shortcuts

1.	From the Favourites menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, point to My Hot Keys and then click Edit My Hot Keys.

2.	In the Shortcut Title box, type a name for the shortcut.

3.	In the Keyword/Internet Address box, type the Keyword or URL you want to associate with the shortcut and click Save Changes.

Note

•	To use the shortcut, press Ctrl + n (where n is the key listed on the right of the window).


About Favourite Places

The Favourite Places feature allows you to bookmark and return to the sites that are of the most interest to you on AOL and on the Web. Once a site is saved as a Favourite Place, you can access it again quickly by selecting it from the Favourites menu on the AOL toolbar.

For more information, see:

Organising your Favourite Places

Sharing your Favourite Places

Saving and copying Favourite Places to another Screen Name


Organising Your Favourite Places

You can organise your Favourite Places by creating folders in your list and grouping your favourites into those folders. You can also modify your favourites as needed.

To create a new folder in Favourite Places

1.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar:

2.	Click New.

3.	Click New Folder.

4.	Type a name for the folder, and click OK.

5.	Select an item and drag it into the new folder.

To edit a Favourite Place

1.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Select the item or folder you want to change.

3.	Click Edit.

4.	Type in the new name for the Favourite Place and, if you need to, update the Internet Address.

5.	Click OK.

To edit a Favourite Place folder

1.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Select the item or folder you want to change.

3.	Click Edit.

4.	Type in the new name for the Favourite Place.

To move an item in Favourite Places

1.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar.

2.	Drag the item to the new location in the list.

For more information, see:

About Favourite Places

Sharing your Favourite Places

Saving and copying Favourite Places to another Screen Name


Sharing Your Favourite Places

You can easily share your Favourite Places with friends and family.

To share a Favourite Place

1.	Navigate to the online area that you'd like to share.

2.	Click the heart icon [image] at the top right of the window. A dialog box appears.

3.	Do one of the following:

•	Click Insert in Instant Message to put a hyperlink to the area in a blank Instant Message.

•	Click Insert in Email to put a hyperlink to the area in a blank email.

Note

•	You can also share a Favourite Place by simply dragging the heart icon into an Instant Message or email that you are writing.

•	If you have previously saved an area to your personal list of favourites, you can open your list of favourites, right-click the name of the place you’d like to share, then select either Insert in Instant Message or Insert in Email.


Saving and Copying Favourite Places to Another Screen Name

1.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar:

2.	Click Save/Replace.

3.	Select the Save My Favourite Places as a Favourites File on my Computer option and click OK. The Save Folder window will appear. (You can accept the default file name [Favourite Places.pfc] or create a new name.)

4.	Click Save.

5.	Switch to the Screen Name to which you want to copy your Favourite Places.

6.	Click the My Favourites icon on the AOL toolbar.

7.	Click Save/Replace.

8.	Select the Replace My Favourite Places with a Favourites File option and click OK.

9.	In the Select File to Restore window select the Favourite Places.pfc file (or the new file name you created) and click Open.

For more information, see:

About Favourite Places

Organising your Favourite Places

Sharing your Favourite Places


About Keywords

Keywords make it possible for you to jump around quickly online, without having to remember exactly how you got to a certain area.

As you explore AOL, notice the Keyword that is displayed in the lower right corner of the window. When you want to return to that area, you can use the Keyword feature to go there directly.

To go to a Keyword:

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Click the AOL Keyword button [image] in the top left corner of your screen, below the AOL toolbar.

3.	Type in the Keyword for the area you want to go.

4.	Click Go.

Notes

•	You must be online to use Keywords.

•	You can bring up a Keyword entry box by pressing Ctrl + K on your keyboard.

•	You can also type a Keyword directly into the address bar at the top of your screen, then click Go.


About the Web Browser

The Web browser is a built-in feature of the AOL software that allows you to access and view information located on the World Wide Web (WWW).

When you use AOL or want to access the World Wide Web, the Web browser is the tool that displays Web pages and helps you to navigate from one site to another.

AOL’s Web browser controls [image] [image] [image] [image] are located on the navigation bar — the area underneath the colourful toolbar icons at the top of your screen.

 Related Topics


Clearing Your Browser Cache

AOL's built-in browser temporarily stores images and text from World Wide Web pages on your hard drive in a storage area called a cache. When the cache fills up, performance can slow down, and your hard drive may run out of space.

To clear the browser cache (Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher)

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, click Internet Properties (WWW).

3.	In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Files.

4.	Click OK.

Note

•	Select Delete all offline content to remove Web material you have saved for off-line review.

For more information, see:

About the Web browser


Going to a Web Site

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Type the URL directly into the address bar at the top of your screen and click Go.

For more information, see:

About the Web browser


Opening HTML Files on Your Computer

HTML, or HyperText Mark-up Language, allows Web page designers to use nice fonts and text formatting on the World Wide Web (WWW). AOL's Web browser is actually the Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) built seamlessly into the AOL software, so you can read HTML files and display them with formatted text and images. You can also see the HTML formatting codes embedded in the text.

To open an HTML file

1.	On the File menu, click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder in which you saved the file.

3.	Double-click the file to open it.

To view HTML code

1.	Open the HTML file.

2.	Right-click in the page window and click View Source on the shortcut menu that appears.

Note

•	AOL will only recognise HTML files with the .htm extension. It will open HTML files with the .html extension as a text file (all HTML tags will be visible).

For more information, see:

About the Web browser


Setting AOL as Your Preferred Browser

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

3.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Association.

4.	Click OK to select AOL as your preferred application for Web browsing, Email, and Newsgroups.

Note

•	The email and newsreader associations can be reset in the Internet Options Control Panel.

1.	Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel (Windows XP users, click Start, then click Control Panel).

2.	Double-click Internet Options. (Windows XP users may need to click Switch to Classic View in order for this option to be visible).

3.	Click the Programs tab.

4.	Choose the programs you wish to use for email and newsgroups.

For more information, see:

About the Web browser

Selecting Another Browser as Your Default Browser


Selecting Another Browser as Your Default Browser

1.	Start the browser you want to be the default browser for other Windows programs. A dialog box will appear, asking if you want that browser to be the default browser.

2.	Click Yes.

Notes

•	Setting a default browser for other Windows programs does not affect the browser that AOL uses.

•	If the dialog box asking if you want to make that browser the default does not appear, check your help file for the browser, or the manufacturer’s Web site for further information.

For more information, see:

About the Web browser


Setting World Wide Web Preferences

Internet Preferences allow you to customise the way your Web browser works.

AOL includes the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. Internet Explorer's preferences include several categories that cover basic Web navigation, graphics presentation, and security features. When you go to Internet Preferences, you'll start out in the General section. At the top of the preferences screen are tabs for the other sections. To view another set of preferences, click its tab.

To set World Wide Web preferences:

1.	On the Settings menu, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Internet Properties (WWW).

3.	Select your preferences and click OK.

Notes

Internet Explorer's preferences let you adjust several settings. Most people will probably find the default settings perfectly satisfactory. However, there are a few WWW preferences that you might consider changing.

Temporary Internet Files:

Internet Explorer will store data from Web pages you viewed to speed up your next visit. Every few months or so, you may want to come here and click Delete Files.... This will clear out all the stored data and give you a fresh start.

Web Graphics

This tab lets you adjust how you view pictures you see on the Web. The default Compress graphics only when I do not have a broadband connection to AOL setting will work just fine for most people. This uses special AOL technology to compress the a Web site's images and transmit them to you faster. However, if you want to save any of the images you encounter and use them in desktop publishing or other graphics programs, you'll probably want to turn this off. Your browsing will be a little slower, but you'll get the graphics in a form compatible with other software.

For more information, see:

About Organisation preferences

About the Web browser


About Preferences

Customise the AOL service to better meet your needs by setting preferences for how you'd like to use the features on the service. You can set preferences for Account Controls, Communications, and Organisation.

To set preferences:

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, click the preference you want to set.

Notes

•	You must be signed on to AOL to set certain preferences.

For more information, see:

About Organisation preferences

About Communications preferences

About Account Controls preferences


About Organisation Preferences

You can set the following preferences to help you organise and manage your online experience.

Personal Filing Cabinet Preferences

Your Personal Filing Cabinet is where you store old email, files, articles, newsgroup discussions, and more. When you store something in your Personal Filing Cabinet, it resides on your computer. Depending on how active you are on AOL, your Personal Filing Cabinet may grow quickly and consume more disk space than you realise.

To help manage your Personal Filing Cabinet, you can set preferences to have AOL notify you if your Personal Filing Cabinet exceeds a specified size (such as 10 megabytes).

You can also have the Personal Filing Cabinet warn you when you are deleting items. Its default settings are to confirm the deletion of single items and multiple items. If you want to turn these warnings off for convenience, you can do that here too.

Toolbar & Sound Preferences

Toolbar & Sound preferences allow you to customise your toolbar's appearance and navigation features, choose to auto-complete Web address entries, clear your history trail, and enable AOL sounds such as the Welcome greeting and Instant Message chimes.

Download Preferences

Download Preferences let you customise where and how files are downloaded to your computer.

Internet Properties (WWW) Preferences

Web Preferences allow you to customise the way your Web browser works.

The browser preferences include several categories that cover basic Web navigation, graphics presentation, and security features. When you go to Web Preferences, you'll start out in the General section. At the top of the preferences screen are tabs for the other sections. To view another set of preferences, click its tab.

Multimedia Preferences

Multimedia Preferences allows you to customise how AOL handles certain audio and video files as well as whether to display captions where available.

 Related Topics


Setting Preferences for the Filing Cabinet Feature
Setting Preferences for the Personal Filing Cabinet Feature

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Personal Filing Cabinet.

3.	Select your Personal Filing Cabinet preferences and click Save.

Notes

The following preference options are available:

Automatically back up my PFC every ___ weeks

When you select this preference, your Personal Filing Cabinet will be copied and saved on your computer (in the AOL 8.0 Backup folder) at the interval you select (from 1 to 4 weeks). Otherwise, the Personal Filing Cabinet is not backed up.

Issue warning about the PFC if the file size reaches ___ megabytes

Select a threshold for the size of the Personal Filing Cabinet. When it reaches the threshold you have set, an alert window will notify you so you can delete items you no longer need and reduce the size of the Personal Filing Cabinet.

Confirm before deleting single items

When you select this preference, a confirmation window appears when you delete items one at a time from the Personal Filing Cabinet. You can not recover items once they have been deleted from the Personal Filing Cabinet, unless you have a backup copy of the Personal Filing Cabinet that contains the item (see first preference).

Confirm before deleting multiple items

When you select this preference, a confirmation window appears when you delete multiple items from the Personal Filing Cabinet at once. You can not recover items once they have been deleted from the Personal Filing Cabinet, unless you have a backup copy of the Personal Filing Cabinet that contains the item (see first preference).

Retain all email I read in my Personal Filing Cabinet

When you select this preference, copies of all incoming email you open will automatically be saved in the Incoming/Saved Email folder in the Personal Filing Cabinet.

Retain all email I send in my Personal Filing Cabinet

When you select this preference, copies of all outgoing email you send will automatically be saved in the Email You've Sent folder in the Personal Filing Cabinet.

For more information, see:

About Organisation preferences

About the Personal Filing Cabinet feature


Setting Toolbar & Sound Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Toolbar & Sound.

3.	Select your preferences for the toolbar and AOL sounds and click Save.

Notes

The following preference options are available:

Toolbar Appearance

Select your preference for viewing the icons on the toolbar.

•	Icons and Text

•	Text Only

Toolbar Placement

Select your preference for where on your screen you’d like the toolbar to appear.

•	At the top of my screen

•	At the bottom of my screen

Navigation Arrows

Use Previous and Next navigation arrows to track open windows only

When you select this preference the Previous and Next buttons navigate only to currently-open windows. Otherwise these buttons will navigate to previously-viewed windows, whether currently open or closed.

Auto-Complete

Auto-complete Keyword and web address entries

When you select this preference, recognised Keywords and Web addresses will automatically complete as you type. Otherwise, you must complete the entire Keyword or Web address.

History Trail

Clear History Trail after each time I Sign Off or Switch Screen Names

When you select this preference, the history trail is deleted each time you sign off or change to another Screen Name using the Switch Screen Names feature. Otherwise, the history trail is retained for the last 25 sites you have viewed.

Clear History Trail Now

When you click this button, the History Trail is immediately deleted.

Sound Preferences

Enable AOL sounds such as the Welcome greeting and Instant Message chimes

When you select this preference, sounds will play:

•	When you sign on/off

•	When you send/receive an Instant Message

•	When a friend from a Buddy List group signs on/off

•	When a file is finished downloading

•	When you have unread email waiting.

For more information, see:

About the AOL Toolbar

About Organisation preferences

Clearing the history trail


Clearing the History Trail

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	On the Settings menu, click Preferences.

3.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Toolbar & Sound.

•	To clear the history trail immediately, click Clear History Trail Now.

•	To clear the history trail every time you sign off or switch Screen Names, tick the Clear history trail after each time I Sign Off or Switch Screen Names checkbox.

For more information, see:

About Organisation preferences

Setting Toolbar Preferences


Setting the Auto-Decompress Preference

You can set a preference to have AOL automatically decompress ZIP files upon download.

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Download.

3.	Select your preference for decompressing downloaded files:

•	When I download them

•	When I sign off

•	Do not decompress the files

4.	When you have finished selecting your download preferences, click Save.

For more information, see:

Setting Download preferences


About Communications Preferences

You can set the following AOL communications preferences.

Email Preferences

The Email Preferences gives you some important options for controlling and managing your email. You can choose how you'd like your email displayed, sent, and even how your email handles pictures and interacts with your Address Book.

Auto AOL Preferences

Automatic AOL Preferences allow you to schedule your computer to sign on to AOL and automatically:

•	Send email you composed.

•	Retrieve your new, unread email.

•	Download files that are attached to your unread email.

•	Send and retrieve newsgroup posts.

•	Download files you have collected in your Download Manager.

In the Automatic AOL preferences you can set the following:

•	The times that your computer signs on to AOL by clicking Schedule Automatic AOL.

•	The Screen Names that will sign on to AOL and download files or check email and newsgroup postings with the Select Names button.

•	The actions you'd like Automatic AOL to run for you (sending and retrieving email and newsgroup posts and downloading files).

•	You can also run Automatic AOL at any time you are online by clicking Run Automatic AOL Now. First time users can click Walk Me Through for simple, step-by-step assistance in setting up Automatic AOL.

Spelling Preferences

Spelling Preferences determine what the spell check and grammar check correct in your email and text files. You can have the spell checker look for the following error types:

•	Capitalisation of sentences and proper nouns.

•	Doubled words (the same word appearing twice).

•	Incorrect uses of ‘A’ vs. ‘An.’

•	Errors when using compound adjectives such as anti-freeze instead of antifreeze.

•	General errors in punctuation.

Spelling preferences also allows you to change your language dictionary and delete words you've added to a Personal dictionary. The Advanced Spelling Preferences provide more detailed options for your spelling and grammar check including hyphenation errors and misused word and phrases errors.

Font, Text & Graphics Preferences

The Font, Text & Graphics Preference allows you to customise the way the text you type in email, chat, and Instant Messages looks. You can control the font (including typeface and point size), style (bold, italics, underline), text colour, text background colour, and page background colour.

This preference also lets you choose how much hard disk space you want AOL to use to store online art. To save you time, AOL stores online artwork on your computer. The art is transferred the first time you visit an area. During repeat visits, AOL simply uses the art on your computer's hard disk and displays it immediately.

Chat Preferences

The Chat Preferences lets you optimise chat room settings. You can opt for:

•	Announcements when members arrive or leave a room.

•	Double-spaced messages to help you follow a conversation.

•	Chat room sounds turned on or off..

•	Display smileys as art.

 Related Topics


Saving Copies of Your Email

You can save copies of your email in two ways:

Save your email to your computer or disk.

Save your email to your Personal Filing Cabinet.

Note

•	Email you save in your Personal Filing Cabinet will remain on your computer until you delete it.

For more information, see:

About Communications preferences


About Email Preferences

The following email preferences are available:

Reading Email

Play sound when new email is delivered

When you select this preference, a sound is played each time a new message arrives in your mailbox. This sound is played only if your mailbox is not empty at the time the new message arrives (if it is empty, you’ll hear the familiar ‘You have Email!’ sound).

Show addresses as Buddy Info links

When you select this preference, a "running man" icon [image] will appear next to the Screen Name of each AOL member or AIM user who is signed on at the time you are reading a piece of email.
It also means that clicking this icon (or clicking any underlined email address or Screen Name in the header of an email) will provide a list of options such as sending email, adding the person to your AOL Address Book, and more. (The precise set of options you see depends on whether the person is an AOL member and whether they are currently signed on.)
If you turn this preference off, clicking an underlined address in an email header will simply bring up a new Write Email window with the person's address already in the Send To field.

Notify me before opening email containing pictures

When you select this preference, a confirmation window appears each time you open email that contains an embedded image. If you don't the person know who sent the email, you may not want to view the email, since it could contain an objectionable image. Selecting this preference does not prevent you from opening email that contains an image.

Display next message when current message is deleted

When you select this preference, if you click Delete when you have a piece of email open, the next message in the list opens automatically. Otherwise, the remaining list of email appears.

Keep my old email online __ days after I read it

When you select this preference, you can choose how long (up to 7 days) email stays available in your Old Email folder on the AOL service. You must be signed on to set this preference.

Sort email in my mailbox by __

When you select this preference, you can choose how messages will be sorted by default each time you open your mailbox.

•	Type – email is sorted according to who sent it; someone you know, bulk senders, and then unknown senders

•	Date (newest at top) – your most recently received email is displayed at the top of the list

•	Date (newest at bottom) – the email that has been in your mailbox the longest is displayed at the top of the list

•	Email Address – messages are sorted by sender (or recipient if viewing Sent Email)

•	Subject – email is sorted alphabetically according to its subject line

Set default mailbox view

When you select this preference, you can choose which email is displayed by default each time you open your mailbox.

•	Everyone – all your new email is displayed

•	People I know – only email from "people you know" is displayed – namely people you've recently sent email to, or people on your Buddy List.

Remember, while reading your mail, you can filter the email displayed to you at any time by selecting the Show me email from option at the right of the Mailbox window.

Writing Email

Present resizing options when inserting pictures in email

When you select this preference, a selection window appears when you insert a picture into your email so you can choose whether to resize the picture. If you do not select this preference, pictures will be inserted into your email without resizing.

Use my Address Book and Buddy List to auto-suggest names

When you select this preference, as you begin to type a name or email address in the Write Email window, matches from your Address Book or Buddy List window will automatically be suggested so that you can finish addressing the email without typing.

Sending Email

Confirm that email has been sent:

When you select this preference, a confirmation window appears each time you send email.

Close email after it has been sent

When you select this preference, the Write Email window closes automatically after you send the email.

Confirm when email is marked to send later

When you select this preference, a confirmation window will appear when you click Send Later.

Perform a spell check before sending email

When you select this preference, the spelling checker will check your email when you click Send Now. (To send email without checking the spelling when this preference is set, hold the Ctrl key down when you click Send Now).

Remind me at sign-on if I have email waiting to be sent

When you select this preference, a confirmation window appears when you sign on, if you have email waiting to be sent.

For more information, see:

About Communications preferences


Setting Mail Preferences
Setting Email Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Email.

3.	Select your email preferences and click OK.

For more information, see:

About Communications preferences

About email preferences

About the Personal Filing Cabinet

Setting Font, Text & Graphics Preferences


Setting Automatic AOL Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Auto AOL.

3.	Tick the tasks you want Automatic AOL to perform (for example: Send email... or Get unread email...).

4.	Click Select Names.

5.	Select the Screen Names for which you wish the tasks you have selected to be performed.

6.	For each selected Screen Name type your AOL password.

Notes

•	Anyone who has physical access to your computer can sign on to your account if you store your password.

•	If you decide not to store your passwords, you can sign on to AOL with each Screen Name and start Automatic AOL manually while you are online.

For more information, see:

About Automatic AOL

About Communications preferences


Setting Spelling Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Spelling.

3.	Select your preferences for the spelling checker. You can have AOL check for the following errors:

•	Capitalisation of sentences and proper nouns

•	Doubled words

•	'A' vs 'An'

•	Compounding errors

•	Punctuation

4.	When you are finished, click OK.

Notes

•	When you first open the Spelling Preferences window, all options will be selected. To turn off a function, clear the checkbox next to the function.

•	For even more fine-tuning, click Advanced.

For more information, see:

Checking your spelling

Turning on the automatic spelling checker

Setting Email preferences

About Communications preferences


Setting Font, Text & Graphics Preferences

You can choose a particular font to be your ‘default’ for writing email, instant messages, and chat. This preference also lets you choose how much hard disk space you want AOL to use to store online art. To save you time, AOL stores online artwork on your computer. The art is transferred the first time you visit an area. During repeat visits, AOL simply uses the art on your computer's hard disk and displays it immediately.

To set font, text and graphics preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Font, Text & Graphics.

3.	Select the font characteristics that you want to apply as your default for writing email, Instant Messages and chatting, then click Save.

•	Choose a font:

•	Choose a font size:

•	Choose a font colour:

You may also choose to enhance your text further:

•	Choose style characteristics, such as bold, italics, or underline

•	Choose a default highlight or background colour for your text.

Notes

•	For certain fonts, you may choose to display the text as: Small, Medium, Large.

•	Use the arrows to adjust the amount of space AOL uses to store online art.

For more information, see:

About Communications preferences

About email preferences

Setting chat preferences


About Master Screen Names

The Primary Master Screen Name — the first Screen Name you created when you first registered as an AOL member — cannot be removed as a Master Screen Name. Master Screen Name status can be assigned to a maximum of 2 additional existing or newly created Screen Names besides the Primary Master Screen Name. To assign Master Screen Name status to a Screen Name, you must first assign it an 18+ rating through the Parental Controls feature.

A member who is signed on with a Master Screen Name can:

•	change the account's billing method and price plan.

•	change the Parental Controls settings for other Screen Names on the account.

•	create, delete, or restore Screen Names on the account.

For more information, see:

About Screen Names

Designating additional Master Screen Names

About your password


About Your Password

Anyone who knows your Screen Name and password can use your account. AOL employees will never ask for your password (or credit card number). Your password should be easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess. As an extra precaution, you should change it often (sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword:: Password). The most secure passwords are combinations of letters and numbers.

NEVER REVEAL YOUR PASSWORD TO ANYONE

For more information, see:

About password requests in email

About password stealing schemes

Changing your password


About Screen Names

Each AOL account can have up to seven Screen Names at any one time. The Screen Name you chose when you set up your AOL account is your Master Screen Name; it cannot be deleted or changed.

Keep in mind the following:

•	Your Screen Name is your AOL email address.

•	Your Screen Name can be seen in public places, such as chat rooms, message boards, AOL Hometown, and the AOL Member Directory (if you have created a Member Profile). If you want, you can take steps to protect your privacy while online.

To learn more about Screen Names:

1.	Sign on to the AOL service.

2.	Go to AOL Keyword: Screen Names.

3.	Click Help.

Notes

•	The Master Screen Name (the first Screen Name you selected when you registered your AOL account) cannot be deleted or changed.

•	Your account can have up to seven Screen Names, each with separate passwords, mailboxes, Personal Filing Cabinets, and Favourite Places.

For more information, see:

About Master Screen Names

Designating additional Master Screen Names


Designating Additional Master Screen Names

1.	Sign on to the AOL service with the Primary Master Screen Name.

2.	On the Settings menu, click Parental Controls.

3.	Click Set Parental Controls.

4.	Select the Screen Name you want to work with from the Edit Controls for list.

5.	If the Screen Name does not already have a category designation of General Access, click General Access from the categories at the bottom.

6.	Scroll the list of Custom Controls and click Additional Master.

7.	Read the information about master Screen Name designation carefully, and tick the Designate this Screen Name as a Master Screen Name checkbox.

8.	Click Save.

Notes

•	You can select up to two Screen Name(s) to designate as additional Master Screen Names.

For more information, see:

About Master Screen Names

About Screen Names


If Your Screen Name Is Not Visible on the Sign-On Screen

1.	On the Sign-On screen, select Existing Member from the Select Screen Name list.

2.	Click Sign On.

3.	Enter a Screen Name from your account and the password for that Screen Name when prompted. The next time you sign on, all of your Screen Names will appear on the Sign-On screen.

Why did this happen?

If you reinstalled the software on your current computer or installed software for the first time on a new computer, your Screen Names will not be available on the Sign-On screen until you sign on for the first time using that software.

What if someone else’s Screen Names are in the list?

If you share your computer with another AOL member, the shortcut you clicked to start the AOL software probably does not point to your copy of the software. Contact AOL Member Services for assistance with creating a new shortcut that will start your copy of the AOL software.

What if all my Screen Names are available except the one I am looking for?

Check with others who have access to master Screen Names on your account and confirm that the Screen Name you are looking for was not deleted or used to create a second AOL account. If neither of these scenarios has occurred, or if you need additional help, contact AOL Member Services.

For more information, see:

About Screen Names


About Newsgroups

Newsgroups allow you to communicate with other people interested in particular topics. They are similar to the message boards that you find in AOL, but offer a wider range of topics and participants.

Newsgroup names

Newsgroups are organised by category or topic into ‘hierarchies’. Newsgroup names show the position of the topic in the hierarchy. (AOL also gives you descriptive names for some newsgroups.) For example:

rec

Indicates a recreational newsgroup. Other top-level names are alt (for alternative), biz (for business) news, and so forth.

rec.autos

Indicates a recreational newsgroup about cars.

rec.autos.antiques

Indicates a recreational newsgroup about antique cars.

rec.autos.makers

Indicates a recreational newsgroup about car manufacturers.

rec.autos.makers.honda

Indicates a recreational newsgroup about the car manufacturer Honda.

Moderated and unmoderated newsgroups

In moderated newsgroups, a person or group of people reviews each message before it is posted to the newsgroup. The content of moderated newsgroups is usually better because only messages that are relevant to the topic are posted. The word ‘moderated’ appears in the title of moderated newsgroups.

Most newsgroups are unmoderated, but there are rules about what you should post, which you can find in the newsgroup's list of frequently asked questions (called FAQs). If you ‘lurk’ (read without posting) for a couple of weeks, you'll get a good sense of what is allowed.

Note

Some newsgroups may contain objectionable content. Although AOL cannot review each group and give appropriate warnings, AOL does provide Parental Controls found at AOL Keyword: Parental Controls to limit minors' access to these groups.


Newsgroup Netiquette

'Netiquette' refers to the polite and considerate treatment of others on the Internet. Here is a list of suggested guidelines for participating in newsgroups:

Read Before Participating

Read a group or list for a while before you post your first message. This allows you to become familiar with the participants, topics, and tone of the group. Reading a group without posting messages to it is sometimes called ‘lurking’.

Communicate Clearly

Write clearly when you compose a message. Review your message for spelling and typos. If your message can be misunderstood, it will be.

Refrain from using ALL CAPS

Typing in capital letters is considered to be the equivalent of shouting. It also makes your message more difficult to read. (SEE HOW ANNOYING AND DIFFICULT IT CAN BE?)

No Chain Letters or Advertisements

Chain letters are never appreciated in the online community, and they're a violation of your membership agreement with AOL. Advertisements are equally unwelcome, though there are some newsgroups designed just for this purpose. Please limit your ads to those areas, or go to AOL Classifieds at AOL Keyword:: Classifieds and post an ad there.

No ‘Me Too's’

‘Me too’ messages add nothing to the value of a newsgroup. If you agree with a posting, either enjoy your consent by yourself or reply with an informative comment about why you agree.

Be Kind

Don't issue personal attacks, use profanity, or betray a confidence. Rude or hostile verbal attacks (called ‘flaming’) are strongly discouraged. Disagreements are fine, but please limit your responses to a discussion of the topic and avoid attacks upon another individual.

Refrain from Cross-Posting

Cross-posting means posting a single message to several different newsgroups, and it is almost never appropriate. Such posts reduce the quality of the discussion and needlessly increase the traffic on the board. Find the best place for your post, and confine your message to one newsgroup.

Express Yourself with 'Emoticons'

Emoticons are human-face drawings composed of text characters. They help express emotions online – for more dynamic communication. Here are just a few (tilt your head to the left to see the effect):

:) = smile

;) = wink

:( = frown

>:-) is a devil

0:-) is an angel

Cancel or Postpone Subscriptions

If you've subscribed to an Internet mailing list and are going to be away from your computer for some time (perhaps on vacation), either temporarily remove your name from the list, or, if the list supports this feature, use the NOMAIL or POSTPONE feature to temporarily suspend your subscription. If you're going to delete a Screen Name that is subscribed to a list, or change your email address, please unsubscribe to the list first.

For more information, see:

About newsgroups


Newgroup Terms
Newsgroup Terms

Cross-posting

Posting a single message intended for several newsgroups. AOL members cannot cross-post by creating a new message. Cross-posting is almost never appropriate. Such posts (and cross-posted threads) tend to reduce the quality of the discussion and needlessly increase the traffic in newsgroups.

Emoticon

Emoticons are the drawings composed of text characters that allow for a show of emotion (hence the name emoticon) on the Internet. Here are just a few (tilt your head to the left to see the effect): :) is a smile. ;) is a wink. >:-) is a devil. 0:-) is an angel.

English-style names

The descriptive title given to a newsgroup by either the newsgroup's founders or by AOL (AOL provides a descriptive name if the group did not have one when it was created). For example, ‘Anxious talk’ is the English-style name for ‘alt.angst.’ You can set your preferences to show newsgroups by either the English-style name or the Internet-style name. To set this preference, from the main Newsgroup window, click Set Preferences.

FAQ

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are documents defining a newsgroup's focus and intent. They also generally discuss netiquette for the group. It's good netiquette to read a newsgroup's FAQ before posting to it.

Flame

Flames are posts that are hostile, rude, or otherwise confrontational.

Flame war

A thread or series of threads and messages that is composed of flames. It is usually best to ignore a flame war.

Internet-style names

An Internet-style name is the full Usenet name. For example, ‘alt.angst’ is the Internet-style name for ‘Anxious talk’ (the English-style name). For more information about newsgroup names, read About Newsgroups.

Lurk

To subscribe to a group and read through the posts before offering your own contribution. Lurking helps you find out what has already been said and how the newsgroup works.

Message

The unit of newgroups. It is the information you want to share with the group. Synonyms include ‘post’, ‘posting’, and ‘article’.

Moderated:

Newsgroups that have one or more individuals (called a moderator) who decide to allow a message to be posted for the whole group to see. The moderator's job is to keep conversations on topic and keep junk out of the group. Most newsgroups are unmoderated.

Netiquette

The recommended conduct of individuals on the Internet. For more about netiquette, read Newsgroup Netiquette.

Signature or .sig

Signatures are composed of text messages that are attached to all of your posts. They can contain your name, Web address, business information, or quotations that you associate with yourself. Signatures longer than four to five lines are generally considered a waste of people's time and network bandwidth. See Adding a signature to your posts.

Thread

Smaller conversations originating with a single post within the larger topic of the newsgroup. For example, a group about pets may contain threads about dogs, cats, iguanas, or other animals.

Troll

Posts that are meant to make people angry or otherwise provoke them. For example, posting a message in a Macintosh-focused newsgroup that states Macintoshes are inferior to PCs would certainly either provoke a flame, or be ignored.

For more information, see:

About newsgroups


About the Log Manager

The Log Manager feature enables you to transfer online text to a file you can read or print offline. You can transfer text from:

•	News or reference articles

•	Message board posts

•	Instant Message conversations

•	Chat rooms and auditoriums

For more information, see:

Reading News Articles and Other Text Items When You are not Signed On

Saving Conversations from Chat Rooms and Auditoriums

Saving Instant Message Conversations


Reading News Articles and Other Text Items When You Are Not Signed On

1.	Open the Log Manager by clicking File on the AOL menu bar, then click Log Manager.

2.	Under the Session Log heading, click Open Log to start a new session log.

3.	Choose a file and folder for the log file to be stored in, and click Save.

4.	Open the news articles (or message board posts or other text items) you wish to read offline, one at a time. (You can close them immediately afterwards)

5.	When you've finished, go back to the Log Manager window and click Close Log to finish the log.

The log file is stored on your hard drive as a text file, so you can read or print it at your leisure, either using AOL (click File, then Open), or any Windows word processor (Notepad, etc.).

Note

•	The Log Manager will not store the content of Web pages. If you wish to save a Web page and read it offline, then click the File menu above the AOL toolbar, then click Save As to store it on your hard drive as a HTML file. Afterwards, you can open the HTML file using AOL or any other Web browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer).

For more information, see:

About the Log Manager


Saving Conversations From Chat Rooms and Auditoriums

1.	Open the Log Manager by clicking File on the AOL menu bar, then click Log Manager.

2.	Under the Chat Log headling, click Open Log to start a new chat log.

3.	Choose a file and folder for the log file to be stored in, and click Save.

4.	If you haven't already done so, enter the chat room or auditorium which you want to save the conversation from. You can do other things around the service if you wish – as long as the chat window is open somewhere on screen, the conversation will continue to be saved.

5.	When you've finished, go back to the Log Manager window and click Close Log to finish the log.

The log file is stored on your hard drive as a text file, so you can read or print it at your leisure, either using AOL (click File, then Open), or any Windows word processor (Notepad, etc.).

For more information, see:

About the Log Manager


Saving Instant Message Conversations

1.	Open the Log Manager by clicking File on the AOL menu bar, then click Log Manager.

2.	Under the Session Log heading, click Open Log to start a new session log.

3.	Choose a file and folder for the log file to be stored in, and click Save.

4.	On the Log Manager window, tick Log Instant Message conversations.

5.	Continue your Instant Message conversation.

6.	When you've finished, go back to the Log Manager window and click Close Log to finish the log.

The log file is stored on your hard drive as a text file, so you can read or print it at your leisure, either using AOL (click File, then Open), or any Windows word processor (Notepad, etc.).

For more information, see:

About the Log Manager


About AOL's Conditions of Service

The foundation of AOL's relationship with members is the Conditions of Service or COS. The COS contains AOL's commitments to you, as well as your rights and responsibilities as an AOL member.

To read the AOL Conditions of Service agreement, sign on to AOL, and go to AOL Keyword: COS.

For more information, see:

About email scams and schemes

About AOL Keyword: Notify AOL


About AOL Keyword: Notify AOL

If you witness any inappropriate activity by other members while signed on to AOL, report it at AOL Keyword: Notify AOL:

1.	Click Chat to report vulgar language and disruptive behaviour in chat rooms.

2.	Click Email to learn how to report email from strangers that contains attached files or requests for your password, credit card number, or other personal information.

3.	Click Instant Messages if you receive requests for your password or observe disruptive behaviour in an Instant Message.

Notes

•	Problems in online areas such as message boards, Web pages, AOL member Screen Names or AOL Member Directory profiles can be reported by clicking Message Boards, Web Pages, Screen Names or Member Profiles, respectively.

•	Your report will be sent to AOL's Conditions of Service team, who will review this report and take action against the members responsible if the activity shows a violation of AOL's Conditions of Service. Our options include both written warnings and account termination if necessary.

For more information, see:

About AOL's Conditions of Service

About email scams and schemes

About Parental Controls


About Parental Controls

Parental Controls enable the Primary Master Screen Name (the first Screen Name that you created when you registered your AOL account) to restrict access to certain areas and features on AOL for one or all of the Screen Names on the account.

Once Parental Controls have been set for a particular Screen Name, they are active each time that Screen Name signs on. The master account holder can make changes to these controls at any time. The master account holder may also designate Master Screen Name status for up to two additional existing or newly created Screen Names besides the Primary Master Screen Name. Any Master Screen Name can set/change Parental Controls for any other Screen Name, so this capability should not be given to Screen Names used by children.

Sign on to AOL and click the Parental Controls icon [image] on the AOL toolbar at the top of your screen to familiarise yourself with the controls that are available to help you make your child's online experience a safe and positive one.

For more information, see:

About AOL's Conditions of Service

About AOL Keyword: Notify AOL


Email Scams and Schemes

Junk email is any unsolicited advertising, promotional material, or other forms of solicitation masquerading as an email message. In addition to being a nuisance, junk email can carry dangerous Trojan Horse programs. These programs come to your mailbox as email attachments disguised as software, screen savers, photos or some other offer of free products. If you mistakenly download one of these attachments, the Trojan Horse program captures your password and emails it back to the hacker's email address. NEVER download files from someone you don't know!

Hackers and junk emailers risk permanent cancellation of their AOL membership. If you've received junk email, either with or without attachments, sign on to AOL, open the email, click Forward, and send the junk email to Screen Name: COSMail1 or COSMail2.

For more information on the latest scams and schemes, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Safety.

For more information, see:

About AOL's Conditions of Service

About AOL Keyword: Notify AOL

About Trojan Horse programs


About Computer Viruses

If you download files or email attachments, exchange floppy disks with other people, or use the Internet frequently, your computer is at risk from viruses and Trojan Horse programs. Virus-checking software can help prevent serious problems.

What is a computer virus?

Computer viruses are small programs that can reproduce themselves and spread from one computer to another when people exchange files. Some viruses do nothing more than fill up space on your computer's hard drive. Other viruses can destroy critical data on your computer.

What Is a Trojan Horse program?

A Trojan Horse is a program that appears to function normally, but contains hidden instructions that cause damage (sometimes severe) to your computer. Trojan Horse programs may compromise the security of your AOL account, contain objectionable graphics, or cause damage to your computer files.

How to avoid computer viruses and Trojan Horse programs

Get anti-virus software and use it. AOL offers an excellent anti-virus program. This program can be downloaded at the AOL Anti-Virus Centre. Sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Virus. There you can get assistance with your virus questions and find the latest software to aid you in checking and protecting your system. You'll find anti-virus software products available from major software manufactures, and a free trial version of anti-virus software available to AOL members. The main consideration you should have in selecting a virus checking program is the availability of updates for the software.

Downloadable anti-virus programs like Dr. Solomon's provide checking for KNOWN viruses, so as new viruses are discovered, the software manufacturer provides updates, which are a must for keeping your system virus free. Updates for the Dr. Solomon's software are provided in the Anti-Virus Centre on a regular basis so check there often if you decide to download Dr. Solomon's.

If you use a web based product like McAfee Clinic you must remember to run McAfee Clinic routinely in order to take advantage of its updates.

In addition to making sure you have anti-virus software, don't open file attachments from strangers. If you use Automatic AOL to download your email, consider not automatically downloading attached files. You can download attachments once you know who sent them, and you'll still be able to automatically retrieve email messages.

Back-up important files – correspondence, contact names and addresses, work-in-progress documents, and manuscripts – regularly.

Run your own virus-check on any file you download. AOL is one of the safest file sources anywhere, and many of the files in AOL's download libraries have already been scanned with the latest anti-virus software. Files you download from the Internet or receive in email cannot be scanned by AOL.

If you exchange floppy disks, virus-check your floppies. You don't know how careful – or how lax – others are about avoiding computer viruses.

To find anti-virus software

To get the latest virus-protection tips and software, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Virus.

For more information, see:

About Trojan Horse programs

About email scams and schemes


About Trojan Horse Programs

A Trojan Horse is a program that appears to perform a valid function but contains, hidden in its code, instructions that cause damage (sometimes severe) to your computer. Trojan Horse programs may compromise the security of your AOL account, contain objectionable graphics, or cause damage to your computer files.

Protecting yourself

You can avoid most Trojan Horse programs by NEVER downloading a file attached to an email from someone you don't know.

Obtaining anti-virus software

Anti-virus programs come with a database of information on thousands of known viruses. The program looks through all the data on your hard drive to see if anything matches a pattern in that database. Since new viruses are constantly appearing, you must update your anti-virus program regularly. Most anti-virus software publishers release updates to their software containing information on new viruses every few weeks.

To learn more about computer viruses and to get anti-virus software, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Virus.

For more information, see:

About computer viruses

About email scams and schemes


Password Requests in Email

AOL staff will never ask you for your password or credit card information.

If you receive official-looking email – supposedly from an AOL employee – do not give out information about your password or billing (credit card) information. It's the online equivalent of handing your house keys to a stranger.

If you receive suspicious email, sign on to AOL, click Forward and send the email to Screen Name COSMail1 or COSMail2.

For more information on the latest scams and schemes, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Safety.

For more information, see:

About your password

About password stealing schemes

Changing your password


Password Stealing Schemes

One of the most important things to remember about your AOL password is to keep it a secret. Anyone who knows your password has access to your AOL account and can pose as you in chat rooms, send email in your name, or shop online leaving you with the bill.

There are four general categories of password stealing schemes intended to trick you (or your computer) into revealing your password. If you receive a suspicious email, sign on to AOL and click Forward and send the email to Screen Name COSMail1 or COSMail2. If you receive a suspicious Instant Message, click the Notify AOL button on the Instant Message window.

Here are some common scams you should be aware of:

The So-Called Online Technical Consultant

This is someone posing as an AOL Consultant and claiming to offer you help with problems relating to passwords, line noise, hackers, or other technical problems. What they really want is to help themselves to your password. AOL staff will never ask you for your password.

The So-Called Hacker Enforcer

Although AOL does have employees who work to prevent hacking, they would never contact you via Instant Message or in a private chat room. AOL staff will never ask you for your password.

The So-Called Billing, Credit, or Community Action Team (CAT) Department

Again, we obviously have a billing department, but would never try to conduct these types of inquiries via Instant Message. AOL staff will never ask you for your credit card number.

The Trojan Horse Programs

Trojan horse programs arrive to your mailbox as email attachments disguised as software, screen savers, photos or some other offer of free products. If you mistakenly download one of these attachments, the Trojan Horse program may contain a virus that will damage files on your computer, or it may capture your password and email it back to the hacker's email address. If you receive a suspicious email with a file attachment, DO NOT DOWNLOAD THE FILE. Instead, sign on to AOL, click Forward and send the email to Screen Name: COSFiles. Never download files sent to you from people you don't know!

For more information, see:

About your password

About password requests in email

About email scams and schemes

Changing your password


Changing Your Password

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Passwords.

2.	Click Change Password.

3.	In the Old Password window, type your old password in the Current password: box.

4.	In the Enter new password twice: boxes, type the new password exactly the same way.

5.	Click Change Password.

Notes

•	Anyone who knows your password and Screen Name can sign on to your account. No one from AOL will ever ask you for your password (or your credit card number). You should never reveal your password to anyone.

•	Use different passwords for each Screen Name on your account.

•	Never download files attached to email from someone you don't know. These files may contain ‘Trojan Horse’ programs that can give your password to scam artists without your knowledge.

•	You should change your password frequently.

•	Report all email password solicitations by signing on to AOL and clicking Forward and sending the email to Screen Name COSMail1 or COSMail2. Report other password solicitations – via Instant Messages, for example – at AOL Keyword: Notify AOL.

If you are tricked into revealing your password:

Online scam artists can succeed in tricking even the most seasoned cyber-veteran. Immediately change your password. Before you sign off, change your password for your Screen Name. Also change the passwords for any other Screen Names on your account.

If you downloaded a suspicious file and think you may have a Trojan Horse program, contact AOL Member Services immediately.

For more information, see:

About your password

About password requests in email

About password stealing schemes

About email scams and schemes


About the Media Player Feature

The Media Player is an easy-to-use, integrated feature of the AOL software. That means you don't have to download and install any additional software to enjoy playing sound and video files you have stored on your computer, or streaming audio or video files you encounter online. (Streaming audio and video files play ‘on the fly’ and are never completely downloaded to your computer.)

The Media Player supports the following formats:

Sound

•	WAV

•	MIDI

•	MP3, including MP1, MP2

•	PLS, M3U playlists

•	Shoutcast, receipt/playback of streaming MP3

Video

•	MPEG video

•	AVI

Sound/Video

•	Real Media

•	Windows Media Player Files (WMA, ASF, ASX, WM, WMV, WMX)**

** Only when Windows Media Player 7.0 or higher is present on your computer.


About the My Playlist Feature

You can create and save customised playlists using the My Playlist feature. Playlists are customised lists of audio files, which you have organised to play in a certain order. You create a playlist from audio files you have saved on your computer. Once you have created and saved a playlist, you can edit the playlist and add new files, remove files, or change the order of the files in the list.


Playing an Audio File

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder on your computer where the audio file is located.

3.	Double-click the file to open it.

4.	In the AOL Media Player window, click the Play button.

Notes

•	Hold your mouse over a function button on the Media Player for a few seconds and a help message will appear telling you what the button does.

•	To play a streaming audio file found at a Web site, just click the link to begin playing the file.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


Playing a Video File

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the video file you want to play.

3.	Double-click the file to open it.

4.	If the file does not automatically begin to play, click the Play button in the AOL Media Player window.

Note

•	To play a streaming video file found at a Web site, just click the link to begin playing the file.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


Creating a Playlist From Audio Files on Your Computer

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder that contains your audio files and double-click the first audio file you want to add to the playlist.

3.	In the AOL Media Player window, click My Playlist.

4.	In the AOL Playlist Editor window, click Add Item.

5.	Navigate to the folder that contains your audio files.

6.	Select the file(s) you want to add to the playlist (hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one file) and click Open.

7.	If you want to save the list to listen to again later, click Save.

 To create a playlist of streaming audio files from a Web site

1.	Navigate to a Web site that contains streaming audio files you want to hear.

2.	Click the links to the audio files to add them to your playlist.

 To listen to the playlist later

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder that contains the playlist you want to hear, and double-click it to open it. The first audio file in the playlist begins to play automatically.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


Adding New Audio Files to an Existing Playlist

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the playlist.

3.	Double-click the playlist to open it.

4.	In the AOL Media Player window, click My Playlist.

5.	In the AOL Playlist Editor window, click Add Item.

6.	Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the audio file(s) you want to add.

7.	Select the file(s) you want to add to the playlist (hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one file) and click Open.

8.	Click Save.

Note

•	To begin listening to the playlist, select the first item in the list and click Play.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


Changing the Order of Audio Files in a Playlist

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the playlist.

3.	Double-click the playlist to open it.

4.	In the AOL Media Player window, click My Playlist.

5.	In the AOL Playlist Editor window, select an item to move.

6.	Click the arrow to the right of the list to move the item up or down the playlist.

7.	Click Save.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


Removing Audio Files From a Playlist

1.	On the File menu (above the AOL toolbar), click Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the playlist.

3.	Double-click the playlist to open it.

4.	In the AOL Media Player window, click My Playlist.

5.	In the AOL Playlist Editor window, select the audio file you want to remove from the playlist, and click Remove Item.

6.	Click Save.

For more information, see:

About the Media Player Feature

About the My Playlist Feature


About the Picture Finder

The Picture Finder allows you to preview up to 6 image files at a time from the same folder. This makes it easy to decide which ones to add to your emails. You can also edit the pictures themselves from the Picture Finder and change the contrast, rotation, brightness, etc.


Editing Pictures in the Picture Finder

1.	On the File menu, click Open Picture Finder.

2.	Navigate to a folder on your disk that contains image files.

3.	Click Open Gallery. The Picture Gallery window will appear, with the first 6 images in the folder.

4.	If you have more than 6 image files in the folder, click the right arrow to move to the next set of 6 images.

5.	Click the picture you want to edit.

6.	Click the arrow icon above the picture to display the image file editing tools.

7.	When you have finished editing the picture, click Save.

Notes

•	To see the function of an image-editing tool before you use it, hold your mouse over the tool for a few seconds.

For more information, see:

About the Picture Finder

Using the Picture Finder to send pictures in email


Using the Picture Finder to Send Pictures in Email

1.	On the File menu, click Open Picture Finder.

2.	Navigate to a folder on your computer that contains image files.

3.	Click Open Gallery. The Picture Gallery window will appear, with the first 6 images in the folder.

4.	If you have more than 6 image files in the folder, click the right arrow to move to the next set of 6 images.

5.	Click the picture you want to use.

6.	Click Insert in Email.

For more information, see:

About the Picture Finder

Editing pictures in the Picture Finder


About Capture Picture

The Capture Picture feature is available if you have a digital camera installed on your computer. It allows you to take pictures and save them directly to your computer, so you can send them to your friends in email.

For more information, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Capture Picture.


Adjusting Picture Quality

1.	On the Edit menu, click Capture Picture.

2.	In the Capture window, click Settings.

3.	Select the type of adjustment you want to make (for example, Zoom).

Notes

•	The Capture Picture feature is only available if you have a digital camera installed on your computer.

•	The instructions for using your individual camera with the AOL software may vary from the above.

•	For more help with picture quality adjustments, see the manual that came with your digital camera.

For more information, see:

About Capture Picture

Taking pictures and saving them on your computer


Taking Pictures and Saving Them on Your Computer

1.	On the Edit menu, click Capture Picture.

2.	Adjust the camera angle and picture quality until you are ready to take a picture.

3.	Click Capture.

4.	On the File menu, click Save.

5.	Type a name for the image file and navigate to the folder where you want to save it on your computer and click OK.

Notes

•	You must have a digital camera installed on your computer to use the Capture Picture feature.

•	To return to Preview mode so you can take another picture, click Preview.

•	The instructions for using your individual camera with the AOL software may vary from the above.

For more information, see:

About Capture Picture

Adjusting the picture quality

About the Picture Finder


About Calendar

The AOL Calendar is the perfect way to organise your daily schedule and find fun events that interest you.

You can use it as your online diary, to keep track of appointments. There's also a built-in Event Directory with movies, live music, sporting events, family days out and much more! You can even personalise your Calendar to display your local weather forecast or your horoscope every time you use it.

To start using your Calendar, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Calendar.


How to Use an AOL Keyword

Keywords make it possible for you to jump directly to an area on AOL, without having to click several buttons or links.

To go to a Keyword

1.	Type the Keyword for the area you want to go to into the address bar at the top of the AOL window.

2.	Click Go.


Definition of a Frame

The Help window is divided into two vertical frames. Depending on whether the Contents tab, Index tab, or Search tab is active, the left frame displays the table of contents, index, or search results list. The right frame displays the Help topic corresponding to the entry selected in the left frame.


Accessibility at AOL

At AOL, we value our members and strive to provide them with the highest quality, easiest, and most convenient services and products. We also believe that the Internet and the AOL service should be friendly and easy-to-use for all customers, including those with disabilities. In this spirit, AOL has developed the AOL Accessibility Policy which expresses our commitment to the development of products and services that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

We are proud to announce that our newest version of the AOL software greatly improves the accessibility of our software for Windows. AOL has made significant improvements in compatibility with screen readers such as JAWS and Window Eyes, and our goal is to continue to make improvements with each new release.

For more information, see:

•	Tips for Connecting to the AOL Service Using A Screen Reader

•	Getting Around the AOL Service

•	Keyboard Shortcuts

•	Contacting AOL using Typetalk


Getting Around the AOL Service

AOL’s number one priority is improving the service so members can navigate the AOL service effortlessly and use its features easily.

Upon sign-on, the AOL service opens several windows. For the best results open the AOL Window menu by pressing Alt + W. Navigate to the Welcome screen and open it by pressing Enter. The Welcome screen will now be your active window and your screen reader will read "Welcome" and your Screen Name. The AOL service also activates other windows upon sign-on e.g., the Buddy List, AOL Channels and promotional windows (the windows that open may vary each time you sign on). As you become more familiar with the AOL service you will be able to determine which windows you would like opened upon sign-on and which you would not like to see.

Note

One helpful tip for ensuring your screen reader is locked into the active window is to use the ‘Close All Except Front’ feature, which is available from the AOL Window menu.

For more information, see:

Keyboard Shortcuts


Keyboard Shortcuts

Toolbar Functions

These shortcuts perform functions that are listed in the Toolbar. We have listed the most popular to help you get started.

Email
Ctrl + E = Write Email
Ctrl + R = Read New Email
Alt + M = Opens the Email menu. This menu provides access to your Address Book, online mailbox, and other email related features

Instant Messaging
Ctrl + I = Send Instant Message
Alt + P = Opens the People menu. This menu provides access to chat and instant messaging related features.
Alt + P followed by B = Buddy List
Alt + P followed by C = Chat

General Windows Navigation
Ctrl + Tab = Switch between open windows on the AOL service
Alt + W = Window menu
Shift + F2 = Close All Windows Except Front
Ctrl + K = Go to Keyword
Ctrl + W = Navigates to the address bar where you can type Web addresses, search terms or AOL Keywords (similar to Ctrl + K)
Alt + V = Opens the Favourites menu. From here you can add areas of the service you commonly use to your Favourites list and access your Favourites.

Other Shortcuts
Ctrl + P = Print
F1 = Help
Alt + C = Opens the Services menu. This menu provides various services such as TV listings, travel bookings, and stock quotes.
Alt + S = Opens the Settings menu. From this menu you can change your password or set up Parental Controls for yourself and family members

Note

•	When writing an Instant Message or an email to someone, Ctrl + Enter performs the same function as selecting the Send button.


To move a window:

1.	Click the title bar of the window and hold the left mouse button down.
(The title bar is the coloured area (usually blue) across the top of the window which contains the title of the window – for example, AOL Version 8.0 Help)

2.	Drag the window to a new location.

3.	Release the left mouse button.


Setting Chat Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Communications, click Chat.

3.	Select your chat preferences and click Save.

Notes

The following preference options are available:

Notify me when members arrive

When you select this preference, you see a line of text in the chat window alerting you that someone new has entered the chat room.

Notify me when members leave

When you select this preference, you see a line of text in the chat window alerting you that someone has left the chat room.

Double-space incoming messages

When you select this preference, the text in the chat room is shown double-spaced. Otherwise, it appears single-spaced.

Enable chat room sounds

When you select this preference, you can play and hear .wav files that are on your computer from the chat room window.

Display smileys as art

When you select this preference, shorthand (emoticons) such as :-) will appear on your screen as [image] .

For more information, see:

About Communications preferences


About Account Control Preferences

You can set the following AOL account preferences:

Marketing Preferences

Marketing Preferences lets you specify the product and service categories that you are most interested in receiving further information on.

AOL occasionally extends valuable product and service offers that are specially selected for you. These offers are intended as unique member benefits as many will add value to your online time and enhance your computing experience. Marketing Preferences also gives you the ability to tell us to exclude certain information delivery methods.

Password Preferences

AOL has two password storage features to help with both ease-of-use and security for your information.

•	Storing your sign on password can make signing on to AOL easier.

•	A password for your Personal Filing Cabinet protects its contents by making it necessary to enter a password each time your Personal Filing Cabinet is accessed.

Privacy Preferences

Control who can see you online and contact you.

The Privacy preference lets you control who can contact you using Instant Messages and who can add you to their Buddy List groups. The Privacy preference is helpful when you want to block or allow only Screen Names that you identify.

Association Preference

Use AOL as your primary Internet software.

The Association preference lets you set AOL as your default Internet software. By using this preference, your computer will automatically open AOL when you click on links or select other options on your computer that require you to browse the Web, send email, or open a newsgroup posting.

 Related Topics


Setting Password Preferences

You can set a preference to store your password so you don't have to type it in every time you sign on. You can also create a password for accessing your Personal Filing Cabinet. A password for your Personal Filing Cabinet protects its contents by making it necessary to enter a password each time you go to your Personal Filing Cabinet.

To store your password:

1.	Sign on to AOL with the Screen Name for which you want to store the password.

2.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

3.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Passwords.

4.	Type your password in the box and tick the Sign On checkbox. If you want to have your Personal Filing Cabinet ‘locked’ (so you have to enter your password to open it), tick the Personal Filing Cabinet checkbox.

Notes

•	You must be signed on to AOL to store your password.

•	If you store your Sign On password, you must use the same password for your Personal Filing Cabinet.

•	To store passwords for another Screen Name, you must sign on with that Screen Name.

•	Storing your password does not change it. To change your password, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Passwords.

•	If you store your password, anyone with access to your computer can sign on to your account.

•	Any violations of AOL's Conditions of Service committed under your Screen Name are subject to COS action, whether you were behind the keyboard or not.

For more information, see:

About Account Controls preferences


Setting Privacy Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Privacy Preferences.

3.	Select your preferences for who can see that you are online (Buddy List) and who can send you Instant Messages, then click Save.

Note

•	You must be signed on to AOL to set this preference.

For more information, see:

About Account Controls preferences


Setting Association Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Association.

3.	Click OK to select AOL as your preferred application for Web browsing, Email, and Newsgroups.

Note

•	The email and newsreader associations can be reset in the Internet Options Control Panel.

For more information, see:

About Account Controls preferences


Setting Marketing Preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Account Controls, click Marketing.

3.	In the Marketing Preferences window, select your preferences for receiving marketing information via post (from AOL and/or other organisations), telephone, email, or pop-ups that appear when you sign on to AOL.

Notes

Some examples of the types of products and services offered include:

•	The newest and fastest modems, digital cameras, scanners and more.

•	Software to enhance your online experience

•	Products that carry the AOL brand, such as the AOL Visa Card.

For more information, see:

About Account Controls preferences


About the Instant Message Feature

The Instant Message feature allows you to have immediate, one-on-one, private chats in real time with other AOL members who are online at the same time as you (or with non-AOL members using the AOL Instant Messenger service).

Notes

Some AOL members have used the Instant Message feature to impersonate AOL staff and claim an emergency need for your password or credit card number. AOL staff will never ask you for your password. To report a violation, click Notify AOL in the Instant Message window.


Sending an Instant Message

To send an Instant Message:

1.	On the AOL toolbar, click IM.

2.	In the Send Instant Message window, type the Screen Name of the person you want to chat with in the To: box.

3.	Type your message in the box and click Send.

Notes

•	Email addresses that are stored in your Address Book will be automatically completed for you as you type. When there is more than one possible matching address, a list of suggestions will appear below the Send To: box.

•	When you receive an IM from a friend, just click Respond to continue the conversation.

•	To determine if your friend is online before you send the IM, click Available? in the Send Instant Message window.

•	Some AOL members have used the Instant Message feature to impersonate AOL staff and claim an emergency need for your password or credit card number. AOL staff will never ask you for your password. To report a violation, click Notify AOL in the Instant Message window.


About AOL Chat

AOL's popular chat feature allows you to talk in real time to other members of AOL (or even people from around the world!) about anything you are interested in.

For more information, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Chat Help.


Chat Guidelines
Chat Etiquette

Chat rooms are like any other organised gathering of people; there are rules of etiquette that everyone is expected to follow. Your AOL experience is bound by a set of common sense rules that ask you to be civil and show respect for others when you are online. These rules are part of the Conditions Of Service agreement every member has with AOL. To view your complete Conditions of Service agreement go to AOL Keyword: COS.

Be Safe

AOL staff will never ask you for your password. If you are asked for your password or credit card information by anyone online, immediately report it at AOL Keyword: Notify AOL.

Refrain from typing in ALL CAPS

Typing in capital letters is frowned upon; it's the equivalent of shouting at everyone. It also makes your message more difficult to read.

Report Problems

Treat others with civility and respect. Keep in mind that vulgarity and disruptive behaviour are inappropriate online. If you encounter a troublesome member in a chat area, you should first try to manage your own chat experience by using the Ignore feature. If you encounter Conditions of Service violations, click the Notify AOL button to request assistance or report the violation.


Chatting Online

To enter a general chat room on AOL, click Chat on the AOL toolbar at the top of your screen.  From there you can select one from AOL's selection of chat rooms to match every interest.

When you first arrive in a chat room, you'll see an announcement telling you where you are. A moment later, you'll see the conversation of the other people in the chat room start scrolling by.

To contribute a comment, simply type what you want to say into the small box at the bottom of the window and click Send.

Your text will appear in the conversation above, with your Screen Name in front of it. Everyone present in your room will be able to see what you've typed.


About the Buddy List

The Buddy List feature lists the Screen Names of your friends and family members who are online when you're online — allowing for easy, spontaneous communication using either the Instant Message feature, or by setting up a private chat room. You can add or remove people from your Buddy List groups at any time.

Note

•	You must be signed on to use this feature.

For more information, see:

Adding Names to Existing Buddy List Groups

About the Instant Message Feature


Adding Names to Existing Buddy List Groups

1.	If your Buddy List window is not open, click the People menu [image] on the AOL toolbar at the top of your screen and click Buddy List.

2.	In the Buddy List window, click Setup.

3.	In the Buddy List Setup window, select the group you want to add a name to and click Add Buddy.

4.	In the Add New Buddy window, type the Screen Name you want to add in the Enter New Buddy's Screen Name box and click Save.

Note

•	You must be signed on to use this feature.

For more information, see:

About the Buddy List


About Groups@AOL

Groups@AOL lets you create your own online community, a convenient place where people can go to communicate. There are two types of Groups, Public and Private, and each has a distinct set of features.

A Public Group is a Web page that is listed and searchable so others can find it and join.

A Private Group is a Web page that can’t be searched or browsed, so only people who receive an invitation can join.

Public Groups

A Public Group is a Web page where people can go to discuss a topic and exchange ideas. Public Groups let you:

•	Read and post messages on a comprehensive message list

•	Participate through email, the Web or both

•	Invite others to join

•	Meet people who share similar interests

Private Groups

A Private Group is a Web page that cannot be viewed by anyone outside of the Group. Private Groups are ideal for staying in touch with family and friends, and only the people who are invited can join a Private Group. Private Groups include:

•	A simple message area for reading and posting messages

•	A photo display area

•	An events listing area

•	A selection of fun personal icons

To start using Groups@AOL or for more help, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: Groups.


Definition of a Number (Connection)

A number (connection) contains the information your computer needs to connect to AOL — such as what type of modem you have (or whether you use TCP/IP to connect) and what access phone numbers to use to connect.


Definition of a Location

A location contains one or more numbers (connections) that contain a common element (for example, numbers that will connect you from a certain country). If you are using AOL on your laptop computer, you can create several different locations for use at home, at your office, or for countries you travel to frequently.


More Information About the Guest Function

•	The time you spend online is charged to your account (not applicable to unmetered

•	You cannot access your Personal Filing Cabinet or your Favourite Places when signed on as a Guest from another computer (because this information is stored on your own computer.)

•	You cannot use Automatic AOL or Download Manager when you are signed on as a Guest.


What's a URL?

The URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is a path for locating sites on the World Wide Web. For example, http://www.aol.co.uk is the URL for AOL UK's Web site.


Understanding Internet Addresses

An email header is a history of the route a particular piece of email has ‘travelled’ from the time it was created until the time it was delivered to your email inbox on the AOL service. You can think of an email header like the stamps in a passport – each stamp shows a country that was visited or passed through during a trip.

While email header information can be used to trace the origin of a piece of email, persons who send unsolicted bulk email routinely manipulate this routing information to make it appear that the email originated from someplace other than it actually did. In fact, some persons attempt to make it look as though the email was sent by AOL itself. AOL version 8.0 makes it easy for you to identify email that originated from outside the AOL service by replacing the email headers with a simple link that reads ‘Sent from the Internet (Details)’. If you wish to see the complete header information, just click Details.

Notes

•	You should generally not respond to unsolicited bulk email (also known as junk email), even when the text of the email has instructions to unsubscribe. Our experience shows that responding to a piece of junk email merely confirms that your email address is legitimate and can often result in even more junk email being sent to you.

•	You can report unsolicited bulk email received from the Internet by forwarding it to Screen Name COSMail1 or COSMail2.

•	AOL Mail Controls allow you to block email from Internet domains (the information that is found after the ‘@’ sign in an Internet email address) and email addresses that you specify. For more information, sign on and go to AOL Keyword: Mail Controls.


Setting Multimedia Preferences

Multimedia Preferences allows you to customise how AOL handles certain audio and video files as well as whether to display captions where available.

To set Multimedia preferences

1.	From the Settings menu [image] on the AOL toolbar, click Preferences.

2.	In the Preferences window, under Organisation, click Multimedia.

3.	Select your preferences and click OK.

Notes

The following preference options are available:

Player Preferences

Use the AOL Media Player for supported file types

When this preference is selected, the AOL Media Player will start any time you click a link or elect to open a multimedia file type that is supported by the AOL software. Disabling this preference will not prevent you from using the AOL Media Player to open supported file types using the File menu.

Use the AOL Media Player as my default CD player

When this preference is selected, the AOL Media Player will start whenever a CD is inserted into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. If the AOL software is not running, it will start before the Media Player window is opened.

Accessibility Preferences

Display captions when available

When this preference is selected, closed captioning information will be displayed when any area that supports it is visited.


Tips for Connecting to the AOL Service Using A Screen Reader

The following section provides tips that will help make the AOL service easier to use with screen readers, particularly Jaws and Window-Eyes.

•	Menu Bar

•	Toolbar

•	Text Styling Toolbar

•	Email

•	Buddy List

•	Instant Message

•	Chat

•	Preferences

•	Parental Controls

•	AOL Updates

•	Error Messages

Once you sign on, the AOL service activates multiple windows e.g., the Welcome Screen, the Buddy List, AOL Channels and promotional windows.

To get oriented, first confirm that the AOL Welcome Screen is your active window: open the AOL Window menu by pressing Alt + W, then press the Down arrow until you get to the Welcome screen, and open it by pressing Enter. The Welcome screen will now be your active window and your screen reader will read "Welcome" and your Screen Name.

Tip: Tabbing is the recommended approach to navigating between controls (links, buttons, form fields, etc.) on all AOL screens. Pressing the space bar or Enter key invokes the feature that is in the focused control (link, buttons, etc.).

Tip: To ensure your screen reader is locked into the active window use the ‘Close All Except Front’ feature, which is available from the AOL Window menu (Alt + W) to close all windows except the active window (the window you are currently navigating).

Note: The mode that allows the area of focus to be changed is referred to as the ‘PC Cursor’ by JAWS and the ‘Cursor’ by Window-Eyes. This document will use the generic term ‘Focus Cursor’ to refer to this mode for either program.

Menu Bar
The words across the top of your screen – File, Edit, Print, Window, Sign Off and Help – make up the AOL Menu Bar. These Shortcuts will help you use the Menu Bar:

Alt = Move to Menu Bar
Left and Right arrow keys = Move between menus in the Menu Bar
Enter = activate a highlighted menu in the Menu Bar
Down arrow key = activate a highlighted menu in the Menu Bar
Esc (while a menu is open) = close a menu
Alt (while a menu is open) = close a menu

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Toolbar
For members using JAWS or Window-Eyes screen reader technology you can use keyboard shortcuts to access Toolbar drop-down menus. The row of icons near the top of your AOL screen, yet under the Menu Bar, is called the Toolbar. The Toolbar is divided into five sections: Email, People, Services, Settings and Favourites, each of which has a drop-down menu of options.

For members using JAWS or Window-Eyes screen readers you can use keyboard shortcuts to access Toolbar drop-down menu options.

Tip: Use the following shortcuts for accessing the Toolbar drop-down options:

Alt + M = Email
Alt + P = People
Alt + C = Services
Alt + S = Settings
Alt + V = Favourites

Tip: When these shortcuts are invoked, the options for the associated toolbar menu appear. Use the Down arrow to hear each option and press Enter to choose one.

Text Styling Toolbar
The Text Styling Toolbar is located in three places: the Email message screen, the Instant Message screen and the Chat screen. It is located just above the box where you type your message. This Toolbar contains a number of formatting features, from text colour to centring to bolding. The changes you make using the Toolbar will only apply to that message. If you want to make the Font, Text & Graphics changes permanently in all your Emails, Instant Messages, and Chat sessions. Go to AOL Keyword: Preferences. In the second of three columns, which is titled Communications, look for Font, Text & Graphics.

Tip: Use the following shortcuts for accessing the Text Styling Toolbar while in the text box, the area in which you will type your Email message, Instant Message or Chat message:

Ctrl + B = Bold
Ctrl + T = Italics
Ctrl + U = Underline

Tip: Once the cursor is in the portion of the window where the text of the message is typed, pressing Tab will insert a tab space into the message rather than providing navigation.

Tip: Press Tab to navigate forwards through the options, or Shift + Tab to navigate backwards.

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Email
Electronic mail (email) allows you to exchange messages, documents, photographs, even sounds, with anyone with an email address, virtually anywhere in the world, virtually instantaneously.

These shortcuts will help you get started using email:

Ctrl + R = Read New Email
Ctrl + E = Write Email
Ctrl + F4 = Close Active Window.
Alt + M = Opens the Email menu. This menu provides access to your Address Book,
online mailbox and other email related features.
Ctrl + Enter = Send Email

Reading Email
Tip: When you are online your mailbox can be accessed from anywhere within AOL by pressing Ctrl + R. Use the Tab key to move among the various options of the Mailbox window. Press the space bar or Enter key to activate the desired option.

Tip: When the first email message is selected, you can use the Up and Down arrows on your keyboard to move among the current messages. Press the space bar or Enter key to open the selected message.

Writing Email
Tip: A blank window for composing a new email message can be accessed from anywhere within AOL by pressing Ctrl + E.

Tip: Press Tab to navigate forwards through the options, or Shift + Tab to navigate backwards.

Sending Email
Tip: Ctrl + Enter will send an email without having to use the Tab key to reach the Send Now button.

Text Styling Toolbar on the Email Form:
Each email form has a Text Styling Toolbar, located just above the box where you type your email message on the Write Email screen, contains a number of formatting features, from text colour to centring to bolding. The changes you make using the Toolbar will only apply to that message. If you want to change the font, text and graphics permanently in all of your emails, go to AOL Keyword: Preferences. Look under the second column, Communications for the Font, Text & Graphics preference.

Tip: Use the following shortcuts while in the text box:

Ctrl + B = Bold
Ctrl + T = Italics
Ctrl + U = Underline

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Buddy List
The Buddy List feature lists the Screen Names of your friends and family members who are online when you're online – allowing for easy, spontaneous communication using the Instant Message feature. The following tips will help you get started using the Buddy List:

Setting up the Buddy List:
Tip: From the Buddy List window, Tab to the Setup button and press the space bar or Enter key. You can navigate among buttons using the Tab key and activate these buttons by pressing either the space bar or Enter key.

Modifying Buddy List Preferences:
Tip: From the Setup window, Tab to the Preferences button and press either the space bar or Enter key. The Preferences window consists of three sections: Buddy List, Instant Messages, and Privacy. To move among these sections, use the Right and Left arrow keys.

Tip: To move among the options in each section, press the Tab key. In most places within these sections, you will need to press the space bar or Enter key to activate the selected option.

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Instant Message
The Instant Message (IM) feature allows you to have immediate, one-on-one, private chats in real time with other AOL members and non-AOL members who use the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service, which can be downloaded from: www.aol.co.uk/aim

Sending an Instant Message:
Tip: Press Ctrl + I to bring up a blank window for composing a new Instant Message. This can be done anywhere within the AOL service. Use the Tab key to move around the Instant Message window.

Tip: Press the space bar or Enter key to activate the highlighted ‘Send’ or ‘Available?’ buttons.

Tip: Ctrl + Enter will send an Instant Message without having to use the Tab key to reach the Send button.

Responding to an Instant Message:
An Instant Message will ‘steal the focus’ from the page your screen reader is reading. For some this is exciting because it quickly indicates that one of your Buddies is contacting you in real time and would like to talk. Others find the feature annoying because it ‘steals the focus’ from what they are doing.

Tip: If you prefer not to be interrupted, turn off the Instant Message or put an Away Notice on. The Away Notice feature allows you to set up a brief message to automatically display to anyone who sends you an Instant Message when you are signed on but not at your computer or when you do not wish to be disturbed.

To use the Away Message feature:

1. On the Buddy List window use the Tab key to reach and activate the Away Message button.

2. Use the Tab key to put focus on the window with your choices. You can use the Up and Down arrows to select your choice (At Lunch, Be Right Back, On the Phone, etc.) and hit the space bar or Enter key to activate the Away Notice choices.

Tip: You can close each IM after you reply if you want your Buddy's reply to ‘steal the focus’. If you don't and are using IM within the AOL service, leave the IM form open after you reply. If you are using the AIM service from the AOL Web site you can minimise the form, it will go to the bottom of your screen and will not focus steal until you maximise it. You will hear the sound of a reply.

Tip: For an AOL member using Instant Message, you will receive a tone alerting you to an Instant Message even while you are in another program.

Note: The IM forms sit on top of each other in the upper left side of your screen, so it can take a little time to determine which IM needs your attention.

Text Styling Toolbar on the Instant Message Form:
The Text Styling Toolbar, located just above the box where you type your Instant Message, contains a number of formatting features, from text colour to centring to bolding. The changes you make using this Toolbar will only apply to that message. If you want to change the font, text and graphics permanently in all of your Instant Messages, go to AOL Keyword: Preferences.

The Tab key cannot be used to control the Text Styling Toolbar in the text box of an Instant Message.

Tip: Use the following shortcuts while in the text box:

Ctrl + B = Bold
Ctrl + T = Italics
Ctrl + U = Underline

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Chat
AOL's popular chat feature allows you to talk in real time to other members of AOL (or even members from around the world!) about anything you are interested in.

You can reach Chat at AOL Keyword: Chat or from the People menu on the AOL toolbar: press Alt + P followed by C.

Using the Chat option from the Buddy List window:
Tip: From the Buddy List window, tab to the Chat button and press the space bar. Clicking on any of the text fields enables the ability to navigate among fields and buttons using the Tab key. Pressing either the space bar or Enter key will activate buttons.

Text Styling Toolbar on the Chat Screen:
The Text Styling Toolbar, located next to the box where you type your message, contains a number of formatting features for your text– bold, underline, and italics. The changes you make using this Toolbar will only apply to that message. If you want to change the font, text and graphics permanently, go to AOL Keyword: Preferences.

Tip: The Tab key cannot be used to control the Text Styling Toolbar in the text box of Chat.

Tip: Use the following shortcuts for using the Text Styling Toolbar while in the text box:

Ctrl + B = Bold
Ctrl + T = Italics
Ctrl + U = Underline

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Preferences
Customise the AOL service to better meet your needs by setting Preferences. Example preferences include Toolbar & Sound Preferences; Font, Text & Graphic Preferences; and Marketing Preferences. These preferences can be found on the Preferences page within one of three preference categories: Account Controls, Communications, and Organisation.

Alt + S followed by P = Opens the Settings menu to Preferences

For more information on all Preferences, go to AOL Keyword: Preferences. Below several Preferences are summarised – those that are relevant to people with disabilities or are frequently used by AOL members.

Toolbar & Sound Preferences are under Account Control:
The AOL service provides sounds such as the Welcome greeting and Instant Message chimes. You may want to change the sounds in order to reinforce what is on the screen and make the sounds easier to hear.

Tip: To enable AOL sounds, press Alt + S followed by P and navigate to Toolbar and Sound under Organisation. Sound Preferences is the last option on the page.

Font, Text & Graphics are under Communications:
This Preference allows you to permanently set your font for writing email, Chat messages, and Instant Messages.

Marketing Preferences are under Account Controls:
AOL occasionally extends product and service offers to our members. We've created this area to let you know more about these products and services, and to provide you with the option of not receiving such offers. If you choose to receive marketing information you can also choose how to receive this information, through the post, via the telephone, via email or via AOL pop-up screens.

For more information, go to AOL Keyword: Marketing Preferences when you are signed on to the AOL service.

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Parental Controls
Parental Controls lets you tailor your family's online experiences. Give each family member a separate Screen Name and level of online access.

Alt + S followed by C = Opens the Setting menu to Parental Controls
Alt + S followed by S = Opens the Setting menu to Screen Names

Tip: From the Parental Controls page, you are able to create or modify Screen Names as well as provide levels of access for each Screen Name.

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AOL Updates
When new software is released, such as a new version of the AOL software, it is difficult to include all of the desired features in a particular release. Sometimes, bugs are found in the released versions that need to be fixed. Rather than download a whole new copy of the AOL software to fix one or two items, the AOL software will download a short update, usually when you sign off. This update will download at no cost to you and install itself into the existing AOL software.

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Error Messages
Error messages can occur for many different reasons and the error message is accessible and will be read by your screen reader. For information on error messages and what causes them, or for additional help on any AOL feature, go to AOL Keyword: Help.

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Making the AOL Media Player Your Default CD Player

You can choose to make the AOL Media Player your default CD player. After you have set this preference, the AOL Media Player will start any time you insert an audio CD into the CD-ROM drive on your computer.

To make the AOL Media Player your default CD player

1.	On the Settings menu, click Preferences.

2.	In the Organisation section of the Preferences window, click Multimedia.

3.	In the Player Preferences section of the Multimedia Preferences window, tick the Use the AOL Media Player as my default CD player checkbox.

Notes

•	The opportunity to make the AOL Media Player your default CD player is offered after you have first installed the AOL 8.0 software.

•	Once you have made the AOL Media Player your default CD player, and if your computer is set up to play CDs automatically when thay are inserted into the CD drive, then the AOL software will start automatically if it is not already running any time you insert an audio CD (you won't be signed on).

•	If you would like to use another program as your CD player, un-tick the Use the AOL Media Player as my default CD player checkbox.


Playing Audio CDs Using the AOL Media Player

To play an audio CD using the AOL Media Player

1.	Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2.	On the File menu above the AOL toolbar, click Open CD/Media Player.

Notes

•	If you have made the AOL Media Player your default CD player, and your computer is set up to play CDs automatically when thay are inserted into the CD drive, then you will not need to perform step 2 listed above unless you insert a mixed-media CD (one that contains both data and music).

For additional assistance, consult the help documentation for your operating system (On the Windows Start menu, click Help).

•	If you wish to replay a CD that is already in your CD-ROM drive click the Play button on the AOL Media Player window (if the Player is running), or click Open CD/Media Player on the File menu (if the Player is not running).


Viewing a List of Song Names for an Audio CD

To view a list of song names for an audio CD

•	On the AOL Media Player window, click View CD Tracks.

Notes

•	A CD must be in your CD-ROM drive for this feature to work.

•	Song names are retrieved using the Gracenote CDDB database and stored on your computer. You must be signed on for this retrieval to take place. This means that specific song names will not be displayed if you play a particular CD for the first time when you are not signed on.

•	Song names are not available for all CDs. When song names are not available, the tracks will be listed by numbers (e.g., Track 1, Track 2, etc.).


Adjusting the Volume of Audio or Video Playback

To adjust the volume of audio or video playback

•	On the AOL Media Player window, move the volume slider (underneath the picture of a speaker) up or down until the desired volume setting is reached.

Note

•	The speakers that came with your computer may have their own volume controls. If the volume is too loud or too soft even after you have made adjustments using the AOL Media Player volume slider, you will need to use the controls on your speakers. Consult the manuals or other documentation that came with your computer for more information.


About the CD Tracklist

When an audio CD is in your CD drive and the AOL Media Player is running, you can click View CD Tracks to see a list of song names. You can play any song from this window by clicking the song name once to select it, and then clicking Play Track.

Notes

•	Song names are retrieved using the Gracenote CDDB database and stored on your computer. You must be signed on for this retrieval to take place. This means that specific song names will not be displayed if you play a particular CD for the first time when you are not signed on.

•	Song names are not available for all CDs. When song names are not available, the tracks will be listed by numbers (e.g., Track 1, Track 2, etc.).

•	If you insert a different CD while the AOL CD Player Tracks window is visible, or if you first inserted the CD when you were not signed on, click Refresh List to retrieve a list of song names.

•	The CD Tracklist cannot be reordered, nor can songs on an audio CD be added to an AOL Media Player playlist.


Displaying Addresses by Category

When you assign a category to an address in your Address Book you can quickly locate a specific entry by limiting the list of displayed addresses to those that match your chosen category.

This feature is especially handy to identify contacts that have been automatically added to your Address Book because you sent or forwarded email to them.


Using Email Stationery

Spice up email with a variety of email stationery.

To add stationery to an email message

1.	Click Write on the AOL toolbar.

2.	In Send To, type the email address of the person you want to send email to. (To send the same message to another person, type a comma and add the next email address.)

3.	In Subject, type a brief description or title for your message.

4.	On the style toolbar above the large message box, click the stationery button

5.	Make a stationery choice from the list of available options. The background of your message will be updated to show the stationery you have chosen.

Notes

•	You can add or change stationery at any point before you send your message.

•	To add or remove stationery choices from your list of options, click the stationery button, and then click Set Up Stationery.

•	You can automatically have a specific stationery added to every message you write:

1.	Click the stationery button, and then click Set Up Stationery.

2.	Click the stationery you wish to add to your email messages once to select it, and then click Default On/Off. A red check mark appears next to the stationery name to indicate it will be added to all messages you write by default.

3.	Click the Close button or [image] to close the Set Up Stationery window.


What Do the Different Email Icons in My Mailbox Signify?

The email icons in your mailbox are designed to help you quickly distinguish whether the email is from someone you know and whether it has an attached file or picture embedded in it.

Email Type Description	Icon
Email from people you know
– with attachment
– with embedded image
– with attachment & embedded image
– Official AOL Email
Bulk Email
– with attachment
– with embedded image
– with attachment & embedded image
Email from unknown senders
– with attachment
– with embedded image
– with attachment & embedded image


Why Are Some Messages in My Mailbox Listed in Bold Type and Others Are Not?

AOL makes it easy for you to distinguish between messages that you have read before and kept as new in your mailbox, and messages that you have yet to read.

•	Email that you have read before will be listed in normal type.

•	Email that you have yet to read will be listed in bold.

Note

•	If new email arrives while your mailbox is open, the email will be listed in bold and an asterisk will appear next to the date.


Forgotten Your Password?

If you've forgotten the password to any of your AOL Screen Names, you can choose a new password yourself, without needing to contact AOL Member Services.

Simply try signing on to the Screen Name in question, as normal. If you get the password wrong twice, you will be given the option to reset the password, provided you can verify your identity by confirming certain details about your AOL account (for example, the name of the account holder).

Notes

•	This feature only works when connecting via modem (not TCP/IP) and is not available when signing on as a Guest.

•	If you encounter problems resetting your password, contact AOL Member Services for assistance.


Listen to Your Voice Mail

The arrival of new voice messages on your phone line activates a "stuttering" dial tone, which may stop your modem connecting to the Internet. To avoid this problem, simply listen to your voice messages and the dial tone will revert to normal.

How you do this depends on your telephone service:

BT Customers with BT Answer 1571 or Call Minder:
To listen to your messages, simply dial 1571.

Customers of other Telephone Services:
For instructions on how to listen to your voice messages, contact your telephone company:


Unable to Connect Via Broadband

If you are having trouble getting connected using AOL Broadband, try the following troubleshooting steps in order:

1.	Check Your Modem's Physical Connections

2.	Disable Firewall Software (if applicable)

3.	Perform a Whoosh Test

4.	Uninstall and Reinstall the AOL Software

If you can sign on to AOL using an analogue modem, go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Help for more in-depth troubleshooting information.


Perform a Whoosh Test

A "Whoosh" test is a useful troubleshooting tool to diagnose problems with your AOL Broadband connection.

Perform the test

1.	Connect using your Broadband modem
How you do this depends on your type of modem:

•	Alcatel modem:
Double-click the Speedtouch Dial Up shortcut icon on your desktop. If this icon is not present, re-install your modem drivers using the CD that came with your modem.

•	BT Voyager modem:
Double click the BT Voyager icon in the system tray (on your Windows taskbar beside the clock). From the menu that appears, click Connect.

2.	Perform AOL Whoosh Test
In the Username box type: ISUR_AOLDSL@americaonline.aol.com
In the Password box, type: roughalien
Click Connect.

3.	Perform BT Whoosh Test
Repeat Step 1, then:
In the Username box type: bt_test_user@startup_domain
Leave the Password box blank.
Click Connect.

Did the tests work?

Yes, both tests connected fine

•	Reinstall your Broadband modem

•	Reinstall Dial-Up Networking (Windows 98 SE & Windows ME only)

No, one or both tests failed to connect.

•	Are you using firewall software?

•	Reinstall your AOL software


About Firewall Software

Broadband technology makes it convenient to stay online for long periods of time. However, the longer you remain connected, the more opportunities there are for someone to attempt an attack on your PC.

Taking simple precautions can reduce potential security risks. We recommend that AOL Broadband users install personal firewall software to block hacking attempts, and also that you sign off from AOL after each session. For more information, go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Security.

Please note that, some personal firewall software configurations can restrict access to AOL. If you find that you are having persistent difficulties with connections to AOL Broadband, it may be due to the presence of firewall software.

Classic symptoms of software conflict include Web pages not displaying and the Buddy List failing to load. In the event of this happening, disable your firewall software and retry AOL. If you do not know how to disable the firewall please check the help file or the manual for the program. Before doing this, please ensure that you have your firewall software installation discs, as you may need to load this software again.

If you can connect when your firewall software is disabled, try changing the security settings on the software and signing on again to see if the problem is resolved. If you have lowered your security settings and still can't get online, please contact your firewall software vendor for further advice.


Reinstalling your Broadband Modem

Before continuing, please ensure that you have a copy of your modem driver CD-ROM as you will need it. If you don't have it to hand, you can download replacement modem drivers online at AOL Keyword: Broadband Help.

Alcatel Speedtouch USB ADSL Modem:

6.	Unplug the modem from the USB port.

7.	Go to Start, Settings, open the Control Panel and click on Add/Remove Programs.
(Windows XP users, click Start, then Control Panel, then click Switch to Classic View (if visible), finally click Add/Remove Programs.)

8.	Highlight the Alcatel Speedtouch Driver and click Add/Remove or Change/Remove.

9.	When the process has completed, restart your computer.

10.	Insert the Alcatel Speedtouch Driver software disc and then follow the on-screen instructions.

11.	When the drivers have been installed, plug your modem back into the USB port.

Now try to sign on to AOL again.

BT Voyager USB ADSL Modem:

1.	Unplug the modem from the USB port.

2.	Click your Windows Start, button, click Programs, then BT Voyager and click Uninstall BT Voyager.

3.	When the process has completed, restart your computer.

Note: The above steps 1-3 may not work for all members – if you encounter any problems, do the following instead:

•	Insert the modem driver CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

•	Click on Start, then Run

•	Type in D:\setup2.exe REMOVE (where D is your CD-ROM drive letter)

4.	Insert the BT Voyager software CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

5.	When the drivers have been installed, plug your modem back into the USB port.

Now try to sign on to AOL again.

For more information, see:

Reinstalling Dial-Up Networking


Reinstalling Dial-Up Networking
Reinstalling Dial-Up Networking (DUN)

AOL Broadband uses Dial-Up Networking (DUN) to connect to AOL. From time to time the settings may become corrupted and will need to be removed and reinstalled in order to resolve problems you may have getting online.

Important Notes:

•	The following instructions only apply to Windows 98 (SE) and ME. Dial-Up Networking cannot be uninstalled on Windows 2000 or XP.

•	Before proceeding, ensure you have your Windows installation CD to hand as you may be asked to insert it during installation.

Removing Dial-Up Networking (DUN)

1.	Click Start , then Settings then Control Panel.

2.	Double click Add/Remove Programs.

3.	Click the Windows Setup tab.

4.	Click on Communications to highlight it, then click Details.

5.	Remove the tick from Dial-Up Networking. This may make another dialgoue box appear, asking whether to remove other components. If this appears, click Yes.

6.	Now that Dial-Up Networking is un-ticked, click OK, then click OK again to finish.

7.	Windows will update itself. Click Yes when prompted to restart your computer.

Reinstalling Dial-Up Networking (DUN)

1.	Repeat Steps 1-4 above.

2.	Re-tick all the boxes except for Internet Connection Sharing.

3.	Click OK, then OK again to finish.

4.	Windows will update itself. Click Yes when prompted to restart your computer.

Now try connecting to AOL again.

For more information, see:

Reinstalling your Broadband Modem


What's New in AOL 8.0

AOL 8.0 has a range of new features & improvements to make your online experience easier and more enjoyable. For example:

•	Express yourself by customising your AOL desktop, email and Instant Messages – choose from a wide range of colourful wallpapers, sounds and icons!

•	The new AOL Companion gives you quick access to AOL services & features all the time – even when you're not running the AOL software!

•	Automatically block annoying "pop-up" advertisements while you're surfing the Web.

•	Filter your mailbox with the click of a mouse – for example, choose only to display email from people you know and hide annoying "junk email".

•	Automatically keep your Address Book up to date – AOL now automatically "remembers" the email addresses you use when sending email.

For more information, sign on to AOL and go to AOL Keyword: AOL 8.0.


Check Your Broadband Modem's Physical Connections

The simplest way to eliminate problems connecting to AOL Broadband is simply to ensure your modem is securely plugged in:

•	Ensure the modem is plugged in to a USB port on the PC. The ADSL USB modem derives its power from the USB port. Ensure that the connections from the modem to the wall socket are secure (these are like normal telephone line connections).

•	If splitters or extensions are being used on the line, please remove these and test directly with the supplied cable from the wall socket to the modem.

•	Ensure the DSL filters are connected correctly. NOTE: A filter will need to be connected to every extension socket that has telephony equipment connected to it; the phone, fax or analogue modem, etc.

Now try connecting to AOL again.

For more information, see:

Unable to Connect via Broadband


Setting Up Locations for Use Within the UK

If you bring your computer with you when you travel around the UK, you can set up additional dialling locations in your AOL software for the cities or places that you intend to travel to.

1.	On the Sign-On screen, click Setup.

2.	On the Edit AOL Setup window, click Add Location.

3.	In the Add Location window, type a name for the new location into the Name box (for example, London)

4.	Click Select access numbers to add to my new location and click Next. Move this help window if it is in the way.

From here you will be guided through the process of adding access numbers to your location. For further information on this process, see Adding Access Numbers to Locations

Important: If prompted to enter your telephone number and telephone provider, you should enter the details of the phone line you will be dialling from (not necessarily the phone line you are currently using). This is to ensure that the access numbers you are given will work correctly. For more information about this, see Choosing Your Best UK Access Number

5.	Select any applicable dialling options in the Confirm Your Selections window, then click Next.

6.	Verify the information in the Confirm Location window, then click Finish.

Note

When you want to use your new dialling location, simply select it from the Select Location drop-down menu on the AOL Sign-On screen.


Disconnections From AOL Broadband

If you are are being disconnected from AOL Broadband with the error message 'Init packet not acknowledged', try the following troubleshooting steps in order:

1.	Check Your Modem's Physical Connections

2.	Close Power Management on Your Broadband Modem

3.	Remove other USB devices from your system
In other words, make sure your Broadband modem is the only device connected to your computer's USB ports. For further instructions, consult your USB device's manual.

4.	Reinstall your Broadband Modem

5.	Uninstall and Reinstall the AOL Software

If you can sign on to AOL using an analogue modem, go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Help for more in-depth troubleshooting information.


Close Power Management on Your Broadband Modem

Note: This only applies to the BT Voyager USB ADSL modem.

1.	On the Windows Start menu, click Settings, then click Control Panel. (Windows XP users, simply click Start then Control Panel)

2.	Double-click System. (Windows XP users may need to click Switch to Classic View in order for this option to be visible)

3.	Click the Hardware tab.

4.	Click the Device Manager tab.

5.	Double-click Globespan USB ADSL WAN Modem.

6.	Click Properties.

7.	Click the Power or Power Management tab.

8.	Un-tick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

9.	Click OK to confirm your changes.

10.	Windows XP users only – go back to the Device Manager window, double-click USB Root Hub and repeat steps 5-9.


About the "Choose Your Best AOL Access Number" Window

When selecting an AOL access number for use within the United Kingdom, depending on your AOL setup you may sometimes be asked to provide information about the telephone line you are currently using to connect to AOL. This is to maximise the quality of your AOL connection by ensuring that we give you the most appropriate access numbers for your local exchange.

When this is necessary, you will be prompted for the following information:

1. Who provides the telephone line you currently use to access AOL?

Select BT, NTL or Telewest as appropriate if the telephone line you currently using to connect to AOL is provided by one of the above companies.
(Note: Eurobell customers should also select Telewest.)

Select Other if your telephone line is provided by a different company than those named above (for example, Kingston Communications, Jersey Telecom, etc.)

Select Roaming in either of the following situations:

•	You are currently attempting to access AOL away from your normal (e.g. home) line.

•	You intend to regularly access AOL through two or more different telephone providers.

2. Please enter the number of the telephone line you use to connect AOL from:

You should enter the full area (STD) code and telephone number of the telephone line you are currently using.  For privacy reasons you may change the last three digits to 000 if you wish. (This information is only used to determine which telephone exhange you are connected to.)

When finished, click Next and follow the remaining on-screen prompts.

Note

At any point in the future, you can go to AOL Keyword: Best Number online in order to keep your selection of access numbers up to date.


Contacting AOL using Typetalk

RNID Typetalk is the only national telephone relay service which enables deaf, deafblind, deafened, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people to communicate with hearing people anywhere in the world.

You can make AOL enquiries using Typetalk on 18001 0800 376 5432

RNID Typetalk provides a link between the textphone user and the hearing person. The link is a highly trained RNID Typetalk Operator who understands the needs of deaf and speech-impaired people and provides a discreet and confidential service.

The textphone user will then type their part of the conversation. A RNID Typetalk Operator will read exactly what is typed to the hearing person. The hearing person replies and the RNID Typetalk Operator will type exactly what is said so the textphone user can read the response on their textphone display panel.

For further information on Typetalk, how to join for free and how to obtain a textphone, please email: helpline@rnid-typetalk.org.uk, call 0800 500 888 (textphone), 0800 7311 888 (voice) or visit the Typetalk Web site: www.rnid-typetalk.org.uk

Note

For AOL customer support enquiries, you can also "chat" directly online to an AOL Member Services representative at AOL Keyword: Live Help.

See also:

•	Accessibility at AOL