Attention AOL users:

Please note that while the AOL program itself presents no issues in conjunction with the ZAPP™ system when AOL is used as an Internet service provider only, AOL's built-in browser and firewall configuration does cause issues for users attempting to access the ZAPP™ system from within the AOL program. To mitigate this issue (after you log in to AOL), please be sure to minimize the AOL program and launch Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, or another external browser so that you can access ZAPP™ with no problems. Unfortunately, AOL has never been recommended for using ZAPP™. Please see the Tech Tips on the ZAPP™ Web site for additional troubleshooting information related to AOL.

ZAPP® Team



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2009 01:35PM by zappadmin.

If you only use AOL as your internet service provider and do not care for the bells and whistles AOL provides, this tutorial may be for you. Outlined below are steps that will allow you to

* remove the AOL software
* allow you to automatically setup an AOL internet connection when starting the computer
* and use the Internet Explorer browser instead of AOL's integrated browser.

Setting up a connection with AOL so you can remove their software:
The instructions below are for the windows platform.

1. Make sure you are disconnected from AOL via their software.

2. Start -> Connect To -> Show All Connections.

3. Double-Click "New Connection Wizard".

4. Hit "Next".

5. Make sure "Connect to the internet is selected" and hit "Next" again.

6. Select "Set up my connection manually" and hit "Next".

7. Select "Connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password" and hit "Next".

8. In the "ISP Name" box enter something to describe it to you. SOmething like "AOL Broadband" will do you.

9. Enter your User Name in the box - Something like "KeSmi747@aol.com" then enter the password you use to connect to AOL in each of the boxes below. Hit "Next".

*** IMPORTANT - you must get your username right and the standard format is the first two letters of your first name, the first three letters of your last name, then three random numbers, not forgetting that you also need to include "@aol.com". The example above is what Kevin Smith's AOL username might be. ***

10. Hit "Finish".

At this point you can stop and simply connect to AOL by going Start -> Connect To -> AOL Broadband, but I recommend taking the next few steps and having your connection always on.

11. In the box that comes up hit "Properties". (This box can also be brought up by going Start -> Connect To -> AOL Broadband)

12. Goto the "Options" tab and increase the "Redial attempts" to 100, then change the "Time between redial attempts" to 1 second.

13. On this same screen uncheck the box labelled "Promt for name and password, certificate, etc." Hit "OK".

14. Open Start -> Connect To -> then left-click and drag "AOL Broadband" to your desktop to create a shortcut.

15. Right-Click the new shortcut and select "Cut".

16. Right-Click the Start button and select "Open".

17. Open "Programs" then "Start Up".

18. Right-Click in the blank space and select "Paste".

That's it - now when you log into windows your AOL connection will automatically connect itself and stay connected.