AOL users - please read!!!! [Archive]

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Ryan

09-29-2006, 09:58 AM

I was getting really frustrated by many complaints from AOL users and decided to call AOL in an effort to get more clarity. After speaking with some amazingly poor customer service folks, I was finally forwarded a disgruntled tech guy that explained the problem to me.

Essentially, AOL uses a piece of software called "netcache". The idea behind this software is to store certain aspects of websites you visit alot locally on your computer so that AOL doesn't have to continually download this code. As an example, after a while the "manage attachments" button might dissapear from the HAMB simply because AOL thinks you have seen that image enough... The result is that AOL saves on bandwidth costs and you suffer from performance issues mostly on the sites that you visit quite often. Sucks for me, sucks for you, great for AOL...

But... there is a solution that disgruntled tech guy was willing to share. Follow the steps found here (http://help.aol.com/AIMhelp/dynamickc.do?externalId=http--helpchannelsaolcom-kjumpadparticleId219066&sliceId=&command=show&forward=nonthreadedKC&kcId=http--helpchannelsaolcom-kjumpadparticleId219066) and pay special attention to "run an AOL autofix" and "clear cache, rebuild adapter". Once all of these steps are taken, you should be fine for a while... However, expect to do these things every now and then...

A Better solution?
Use a real browser like internet explorer (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx) or firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/) after you have logged on to AOL.

An Even Better Solution?
Spend less money and get a better connection, buy getting rid of AOL all together. AOL really is a terrible service targeting folks that don't know any better.

fur biscuit

09-29-2006, 10:04 AM

a disgruntled employee at AOL? never!

MyOldBuick

09-29-2006, 10:08 AM

You might want to sticky this for a while . . . it's good info. I've had AOL since 1994 . . . not for the net connection, but mainly for continuity. I met my wife online back in November 1995 . . . . we've been (had been?) married for ten years this past May. AOL's going free if you bring your own access (IE: High speed) . . . don't know that this will help much. A lot of places are going to be trying to do different things like AOL is . . . AOL just got good at doing it. Unless something with Net neutrality law is passed, other things like this might start taking place. Comcast blocking Time Warner sites? Who knows. I know there's already been documented cases where VOIP stuff has been interferred with. Strange new world out there guys.

NONAME

09-29-2006, 10:09 AM

I was able to trace the loss of my last two systems directly to AOL (because my wife likes the e-mail)
slow learner I guess

KY Boy

09-29-2006, 10:10 AM

An Even Better Solution?
Spend less money and get a better connection, but getting rid of AOL all together. AOL really is a terrible service targeting folks that don't know any better.

Amen to that!!! But good luck cancelling with AOL if they have your credit card number. They will continue to bill you after you cancel. Happened to me, my dad, several people I work with and many others I dont know. Several class action lawsuits have been filed in various states. My mother works at a bank and she said if the customer says dont allow AOL to charge my account the 23.95. The bank does block that charge. But then AOL re-submits the charge as 23.94 or 23.96 and since the bank has no specific orders to block that charge, it goes thru. Customers have had to close their accounts and reopen new ones with new numbers to get this to stop happening. I guess what I am saying is if you cancel AOL get a confirmation number, date, time, employee name, etc and be prepared to threaten them with legal action the FIRST time they mess up.
Good Luck.

4t64rd

09-29-2006, 10:31 AM

Jeem

09-29-2006, 10:31 AM

Once all of these steps are taken, you should be fine for a while... However, expect to do these things every now and then...

A Better solution?
Use a real browser like internet explorer (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx) or firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/) after you have logged on to AOL.

An Even Better Solution?
Spend less money and get a better connection, buy getting rid of AOL all together. AOL really is a terrible service targeting folks that don't know any better.

Word.

Shane T.

09-29-2006, 11:14 AM

I just followed the links and it made a world of diffirence on my aol account at work. Like Ryan said mozzilla is way faster.
Shane T.

Digger_Dave

09-29-2006, 11:36 AM

Hummm ... NOW! I know why my "techie" friend - who helped me set up my system - "steered" me away from AOL!

I have been using "Netscape" (and IE sometimes) for years, for FREE; and NO problems!!

Flexicoker

09-29-2006, 12:24 PM

Firefox will treat you right

Deuce Rails

09-29-2006, 12:59 PM

You may have heard this before:
http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/aol/the-best-thing-we-have-ever-posted-reader-tries-to-cancel-aol-180392.php

It's a complete phone call recorded of a guy trying to cancel his AOL account, and the AOL representative won't let him. It's unbelievable.

KY Boy

09-29-2006, 02:10 PM

Katuna

09-29-2006, 05:00 PM

Thanks Ryan. Mines better. Not great but better. AOL must be having some major brain farts ( more than usual ). It sounds like eveyone started having problems in the last week or two.

Boones

09-29-2006, 07:19 PM

Ryan, thanks for digging into this. A few months back, I finally had enough of the problems and did switch over to Internet Explorer, no more problems and once I got used to using it, I decided to get ride of my AOL account since I have to go thru BellSouth and they give me email also.

paperdog

09-29-2006, 07:57 PM

thanks Ryan

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS DUMP SCHEDULE FOR A WHILE ..
kinda like emptying your pockets after being at the junk yard ...
lotta crap you save for no good reason...
BUT IF YOU DON'T GET RID OF FRONT POCKET FULL OF TRIM SCREWS THEY WILL EVENTULLY DRAW BLOOD AND RUIN YOUR POCKETS!

I use internet explorer now with broad band when i can ... its so nice not to lose long / quick posts cuz of the connection fluctuation

PAPERDOG

50dodge4x4

09-29-2006, 08:21 PM

When I canceled my AOL, I called my credit card services first and told them I had been trying to cancle AOL for a couple months. The nice lady at the credit card place told me that was taken care of. Then I called AOL. When you talk with them ,keep repeating over and over " Cancle my account, I am not paying another penny. I do not want anything to do with you or any of your services. Terminate my account imediately. My credit card has stopped any future payments to AOL." After repeating it several times and getting a conformation number, a name, and the close account email sent to my non-AOL email, I was done with it. I did watch my credit card for a few months, but nothing else was charged. Worked for me, might work for you.
Gene

Kiwi Kev

09-29-2006, 09:32 PM

After weeks of trouble,very slow moving, shutting itself down, can't load pictures etc I just tried internet explorer and all my troubles disapeared. Thanks Ryan and others who helped this puter dummy through it!

Unkl Ian

09-30-2006, 06:52 PM

I frequent a couple other boards that run the same software as the Hamb,
using AOL,and they work just fine.Never a problem that I wouldn't have on any other random site.

However,trying to use the HAMB with AOL varies between "No Problem",
and "Not a Fucking Chance";depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Kerry

09-30-2006, 07:47 PM

It's not referred to as AOHell without cause.

zealot9802

09-30-2006, 07:54 PM

AOL is the vehicle that in which the four horseman of the apocalypse will fund there last ride.

Unkl Ian

10-01-2006, 12:36 AM

Ryan: what version of Vbulletin are you running ?

They use 3.5.5 on Metalmeet.com and 3.5.4 on Volksrods.com
I never have problems viewing or posting on either site.FWIW.

And I have the exact same problems on both the HAMB and Jockey Journal.

Since AOL is my ISP,and I'm on Dial Up,any other browser is slower.
I've tested IE,Netscape,Firefox,and Opera so far.

As crappy as AOL is,it's still faster,and that's where all my bookmarks are.

Ryan

10-01-2006, 08:11 AM

3.5.4.

If clearing the AOL cache fixes the issue (which it seems to do), there is no logical way you can say the HAMB is the issue... In my opinion, there is no excuse to use AOL.

VolksRodder

10-01-2006, 11:19 PM

Actually, I just had my first "banging head against wall" moment the last couple days with trying to get a new member sorted out on my forum that is using the same version as the HAMB.

He would sign in and the forum would show him as logged in (listed in the "who's online" area), but then when he went to post... he would get an error saying he "must be logged in to do this...".

He also couldn't do anything with attachments.

I logged into his account under his name and it worked perfect from my end. :confused:

Then I noticed he had AOL and remembered seeing this post here. I forwarded the info to him and just noticed that he posted his first post in the Intro section... I haven't heard from him personally yet about his fix, but I'm thinking this must've done it for him. I had been working on it for a couple days with him trying to figure it out before this.

Thanks for the heads up, Ryan.

texoutsider

10-01-2006, 11:43 PM

Thanks for the tip Ryan...this has been a problem for about a month now..
Mark

DrJ

10-02-2006, 09:33 AM

I like AOL.
They mailed out their CD's in these cute little tins that are great for keeping allen wrenches in and the CD's make great mini-frizbee cat toys and coffee mug coasters!
:)

Digger_Dave

10-02-2006, 10:46 AM

I like AOL.
They mailed out their CD's in these cute little tins that are great for keeping allen wrenches in and the CD's make great mini-frizbee cat toys and coffee mug coasters!
:)

Ahh ha; another good use! :D

garysgun

10-02-2006, 10:58 AM

Ryan, Thanks for the tips on AOL. I will try them later. I did down load FireFox and use that when things get too slow on AOL and it works just fine and so much quicker. Keep up the good work. Gary M.

Haunted Ken

10-02-2006, 12:36 PM

FYI, "Opera" is a great browser to use as well..... Just Google it....

Wasn't there a website a few years back where they collected ONE MILLION of those free AOL CD's and returned them all using return post.... all at once?

Unkl Ian

10-02-2006, 01:02 PM

We don't get the fancy AOL tins in Canada,
but their CDs make good pallets for Pinstriping.

I like AOL.
They mailed out their CD's in these cute little tins that are great for keeping allen wrenches in and the CD's make great mini-frizbee cat toys and coffee mug coasters!
:)

Bazooka

01-01-2007, 08:39 AM

I have been a AOL user for about 8 years. It just keeps going further downhill. I would have got rid of it years ago but my wife is fond of it.. She knows the Ins and Outs of it and doesnt want to change. The HAMB doesnt work that well on AOL for sure. I also have alot of trouble with that one site. Ebay! This tip worked for me.

I mostly use Internet Explorer to browse the web because it works so much better.

Thanks Ryan Now my wife can continue her love affair with Ebay.. Lol
I will continue to use Internet explorer myself tho..

xtralow

01-13-2007, 06:29 PM

I have a work email address (which I have been using for personal too) So I need to get another email address.
Who does everyone use for good email that is compatible with everything and it works good seems AOL is not the choice?
thanx.

CURIOUS RASH

01-13-2007, 06:54 PM

yahoo and hotmail are good and FREE.

Ranunculous

12-10-2007, 05:51 PM

I've been fortunate to not have any problems with AOL.My neighbors are constantly complaining of grief the local Bb/cable setup gives them.Being at the end of the state,the line must not have the uumph to carry them?
Dunno?
Factoring the cost of service,the XM music they provide,the service and trouble-shooting and I'm happy.I added the call wave answering service and no problems.Works for me.
Go with whatever gives you the best service and ease of use.
I have no connection to AOL,other than as a customer.

P.S. This forum is great!

Rockin_Rollita

12-12-2007, 10:30 AM

AOL sucks donkey balls... If you DO cancel AOL, make sure you do it before the end of their billing period, they bill in advance and will charge you for an extra month... Then do it again the next day... they know if they screw up, they get to bill you for an extra month.

When I set up my new computer, I used the free trial to download some drivers I needed and forgot to cancel, they charged for an extra month. then there was a "glitch" and they had to do it again and I had to argue with them, even though they had the intial cancel call on record, to take off the second extra month.

Bastards!

I'm sure Ryan doesn't want to turn this into a AOL rant post, just check back a time or two when you cancel to make sure you really are cancelled.

I also had a free trial period when I bought my laptop.....it was hell getting rid of AOL....lol...they billed me for $110 after my 3 free months were up because supposedly I ran out of minutes!! What is that!!!! I didn't pay.....well my parents didn't....and they threatened them with legal action and I finally got rid of AOL.....

BillBallingerSr

05-01-2008, 07:21 PM

3.5.4.

If clearing the AOL cache fixes the issue (which it seems to do), there is no logical way you can say the HAMB is the issue... In my opinion, there is no excuse to use AOL.

You are absolutely correct. AOL is and always has been garbage, and has spread more trouble than they ever did anything worthwhile. My first ISP was a local phone company that I helped them get off the ground by doing troubleshooting in my spare time. Netscape 1.0 and Eudora Mail, and a local closet for the whole town. No long distance crap or 800 numbers or credit card hassles. Once they get your hooks into you, its like canceling a cell phone contract. There is absolutely no reason to use a parasite company who sells your marketing information to anyone who will buy it. And in this case, decides that you have seen a picture "enough".

I am using the Mozilla browser, with pipelining enabled and Thunderbird for email. Local sourced DSL behind my own router, and with a Zone Alarm firewall, Norton anti-virus . Never a hitch, and fast as you can safely navigate with any kind of security, and its plenty fast. And if someone hits me, I can track them down.

Call your cable company, or your local phone company for access, and set up a secure system with a NAT router. If you need help PM me, I will be glad to help.

Ferndale Flyer

11-24-2008, 08:08 PM

paperdog

11-25-2008, 12:04 PM

I'm using AOL. When I go to fix the problem (by clicking on the link on the first post), I get the following message:

HTTP Status 404 - /AIMhelp/dynamickc.do

type Status report
message /AIMhelp/dynamickc.do
description The requested resource (/AIMhelp/dynamickc.do) is not available.
Apache Tomcat/5.5.17

Can someone help? Thanks!

http://help.channels.aol.com/kjump.a...cleId=218737#a

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