How to dump AOL and keep screen name for IM?

[stingygrrl]

Hi
my friend wants to dump AOL, but keep her screen name to instant message people with the independent AOL Instant messenger. Of course she can't register the name bc it's in use (by her at AOL).
Is there some way to convert it so she can still use it once she drops AOL (without waiting for them to recycle it?) How??
Thanks

 

[Ornery]

Why can't she use the same name? She couldn't use the same email addresss, but IM ought to still work. My son switched from one IP to another and kept the same IM account. He's never been on AOL, so I don't know if I'm missing something here or not...

Basically, she just needs the Username and Password, no?

 

[T4NNER]

She has to repent from her AOL ways first. Tell her to draw a pentagram on the floor and place the computer in the center. Then she needs to pour gasoline over the entire area and light it with a grill lighter (safety's paramount).

That should do the trick.

 

[yakko]

She's screwed. She has to wait six months for the name to be made available again and hope no one gets it first.

 

[d0ofy]

Just goto aim.aol.com. Then scroll down to the bottom and click on "New Users Click Here." Then on the next screen, click on "already an aol member." Then enter your AOL screen name and select a new password. AIM and AOL have different passwords, but same name. It's weird. So once you register with AIM, install it and sign on. Now you're ready to cancel your AOL. You're AOL will be gone, but you'll still have your AIM forever. Hope this helps.

 

[Gatsby]

D0ofy's right so I won't repeat what he said.

I did this with a few of my AOL names back in my AOL days before I came up with my current AIM name. I can still use those old aim names even when I did not have the AOL account.

Gatsby

 

[stingygrrl]

Great news! -- Thanks for the help!
I just sent the info to her, so I'll report back when I hear from her!

 

[Cable]

Waiting six months doesnt actually mean six months. it means like wait two years at the least. lol

 

[DarkManX]

yea what they said will work, u can get AIM useing ur AOL SN (but ur AOL account probly has to be open cause they ask for ur zipcode i think) but u can do it the other way arround unless u open a new AOL account and use ur AIM SN.

 

[ratkil]

<<my friend wants to dump AOL>> yeah right, fess up stingy, admit your AOL use now before it just gets worse.....

 

[stingygrrl]

hahaha ratkil,
I knew there would be some smart-aleck around!