A less crappy AOL?

[timswim78]

The hard disk in my friend's computer started clunking and died. So, I put in a new hard disk and reinstalled their Windows XP. At their request, I installed AOL for them (I used my broadband connection to download it).

I have a few problems with the AOL software and was wondering if there is a "leaner" version that can be downloaded.

Here are the problems that I had with AOL:
- After installing and configuring Windows, I ran the AOL installation and it killed Windows! So, I reformatted the hdd, reinstalled Windows, and made a ghost image this time.
- AOL installs way too much stuff. It installed about 6 - 8 different applications and put about 10 icons onto the desktop.


*If you feel the need to flame AOL, please take it to another thread, and I will join that thread. However, this thread is a serious request for some assistance.

 

[Toro 45]

I'm sure you may have tried this but back in the day, I would connect with my Aol connection, then just browse the web with Internet Explorer.

 

[John]

http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=aol

🙂

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Toro 45
I'm sure you may have tried this but back in the day, I would connect with my Aol connection, then just browse the web with Internet Explorer.

Yeah, that certainly works (it's what I would do at home when my folks were on AOL dial-up). But I think his beef with the AOL software is the fact that it installs bloat to the system. Also, it still has to run (minimized probably) whilst he uses IE.

I guess I'd try an old version...though, will the old versions even interface with AOL anymore...or are you just going to be required to upgrade the software anyway?

I'd say that if they're not using the "features" AOl provides their customers, then they need to just switch to a different no-frills dial-up service for half the price anyway....something like NetZero I guess (I haven't been on dial-up in ages).

 

[bersl2]

I know this likely won't help you, but for Unix-like OSes, there is a program that will allow you to get standard Internet from AOL. I have used it before, so I can tell you that it has worked.

The project has been inactive since 2003, but if it still works, what this means is that the proprietary fashion in which you authenticate with AOL remains reverse-engineered, so that a Windows port is possible. It's just that the interest really isn't there. Really, GTFO AOL.

- AOL installs way too much stuff. It installed about 6 - 8 different applications and put about 10 icons onto the desktop.

Don't forget about the crap that it inserts into the networking stack.