(i'm guessing you work for AOL or one of the groups contracted
to do tech support for them.)

why do the AOL technicians try for at least an hour to get these
users re-connected (with no success) and then forward them to
a pay per minute tech support line after telling them that
it's obviously not AOLs fault.

With the number of calls ive been getting hundreds of calls since the third week in November.

(yep, AOL customers. told by AOL techs that its NOT AOL)

I think that their distribution had a code bug.
(I think the 8.0 had install or machine compatibility issues)

** After looking around on the web, I think that Mozilla may have
had something to do with all of these problems... (anyone that can verify/refute any of this???)

The AOL 7.0 client would no longer work (even if re-installed)
after the 8.0 client went in and botched DUN/RAS/TCP/MSnetworking

THIS IS MERELY AN EDUCATED GUESS. I have to admit that this may
be something else entirely, and don't want AOL to have me whacked
for libel.

http://www.nocrash.com/cgi-bin/ncbbs.pl?cmd=reply&threadid=298

How to start the computer in Safe mode

Situation:
You want to boot your computer into Safe mode.

Solution:
Safe mode is the Windows diagnostics mode. When you start the computer in Safe mode, only the specific components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded. Safe mode does not allow some functions, such as connection to the Internet. It also loads a standard video driver at a low resolution; therefore, your programs and the Windows desktop may look different than usual, In addition, the desktop icons may have moved to different locations on the desktop.

All Windows operating systems except Windows 3.1 and Windows NT can be started in Safe mode.

NOTES:

This information is provided for your convenience. Safe mode is a function of the operating system. If you need additional help with starting the computer in Safe mode, please contact Microsoft or the computer manufacturer.
The main focus of this document is for operating systems that are supported by currently available Symantec software and that include the System Configuration Utility, which can be used to configure the system to start in Safe mode. For those that do not include the System Configuration Utility, and for other ways to start in Safe mode for those that do, we provide links to other documents.

Please see the instructions for your operating system.

Windows 95
Windows 95 does not include the System Configuration Utility. Please read the document How to restart Windows 9x or Windows Me in Safe mode.

Windows 98/Me
Windows 98/Me includes the System Configuration Utility. If you can start the computer normally into Windows, this is the easiest--and the recommended--way to restart the computer in Safe mode.

To configure the System Configuration Utility to start the computer in Safe mode:
1. Close all open programs.
2. Click Start, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
3. As shown in this illustration, type msconfig and then click OK.

4. The System Configuration Utility, as shown in this illustration, appears. (It may look slightly different in Windows Me.) Click "Advanced."

5. The Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box appears. Check Enable Startup Menu as shown here, and then click OK. Click OK again when the System Configuration Utility reappears.

6. You will be prompted to restart the computer. Click Yes. The computer will restart in Safe mode. (This can take several minutes.)

NOTE: When you are finished with all troubleshooting (in Safe mode) repeat these steps, but in step 5, uncheck "Enable Start-up Menu," and then close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

Additional information
For additional information, including alternate ways to start Windows 98/Me in Safe mode, read the document How to restart Windows 9x or Windows Me in Safe mode

uninstall aolcoach version..
uninstall dotnet
uninstall all the versions of aol pls save the aol saves and pfc's
restart the machine in the safe mode..
install new fresh copy of aol on the machine
restart the machine again.

uninstall aolcoach version..
uninstall dotnet
uninstall all the versions of aol pls save the aol saves and pfc's
restart the machine in the safe mode..
install new fresh copy of aol on the machine
restart the machine again.

*** "Typical AOL 8.0 problems" *** include:

Increased memory requirements for this version of the AOL client
force many users to unload non-vital startup components and
other boot-loaded programs that aren't mission critical to free
up as much RAM as possible before the new AOL client will
function reliably.

AN AOL Tech Support Manager explained:
You really should have at least 128MB of RAM, and around 70
percent of system resources should be available to run smoothly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I have also come across several AOL 7.0 clients that have RECENTLY
developed problems with Internet Explorer browsing capability.
There are also assorted CRASHES involving WAOL.EXE and various
Windows components.

On several Win98 and WinME systems, the AOL client will attempt
to connect up to three times. It appears at this point that the
client has successfully logged into AOL, but IE will not connect
to any web sites. Users report that the AOL package appears to work
(mail, normal aol pages function) but not IE or anything using
the TCP stack or Windows dial-up networking.

Removing the AOL adapter from the network control panel fixes
some of these systems.
Running 'Repair Interner Explorer' utility from System Information
fixes some of these systems.
Running INETWIZ has successfully repaired a small number
of these systems.

Worst case scenario: (as best I can tell, the customer was still down)

Removed all AOL software (Add/Remove Programs)
Removed Dial-up Networking component (Add/Remove programs)
Removed ALL components from Network control panel.
Removed and reinstalled all modem drivers.
Reinstalled Internet Explorer (5.5)
Reinstalled AOL 7.0 and let Network components reinstall as needed.

This problem is teched out to varying degrees by AOL technical support, at which point the AOL tech deems the modem drivers or Windows OS to be at fault, and tells the AOL customer to call us
to fix the problem. Several AOL customers report spending HOURS with AOL customer support techs before being abandoned.

Please post any information that surfaces regarding any sources to
current AOL problems and any verified FIXES for these problems.

(I'd almost have to refer to these as possible 7.0/8.0 release BUGS)

thanks for your time and help!

I hope it works!

Sorry AOL guys and gals....You should try "upgrading the upgrade" before marketing it.

I loved my AOL before...This is a disappointment!

: How would I uninstall and reinstall AOL7.0 (have CD) without losing the old address books? I'm running Win98.

: rotissaratdog

RUTHJIN

: Start with an upgrade to AOL 7.0 if you do not have this version. If you do, just reinstall AOL 7.0. It is possible that there is a corrupt file in AOL that will be fixed when you reinstall the software.

: Also, after you reinstall AOL, check out Macromedia.com to get a copy of Flash player v6.0. This might also be creating a problem for your online gaming. Use the browser that you normally use to play games (Internet Explorer, AOL browser, Netscape, etc.).

: See where this takes you. If you get the same problem, then post back and I would be happy to explore other options.

: Computerpilot.

Also, after you reinstall AOL, check out Macromedia.com to get a copy of Flash player v6.0. This might also be creating a problem for your online gaming. Use the browser that you normally use to play games (Internet Explorer, AOL browser, Netscape, etc.).

See where this takes you. If you get the same problem, then post back and I would be happy to explore other options.