Internet Connection

[xonk]

Not quite sure which thread to use in an effort to get help/advice. Hopefully if this is incorrect, someone can advise me which thread to use.
My problem concerns AOL who is my provider. Theoretically I would like to connect to the Internet without actually having to use the AOL Dialler. What do I actually have to do to bypass AOL to connect to the Internet?
Having asked this question I suppose that in order to check my email I would then have to sign on to AOL!! Is that correct?

Technically I am lost when it comes down to things of this nature so please understand my predicament.

Thanks

[Gizmokid2005]

Do you have another provider other than AOL? If now, you are stuck in one way or another using their software to get connected to the internet.

You don't actually have to use AOL's software to check your email either, though I personally recommend it as their webmail page is dreadfully large and slow loading.

[xonk]

Hi

AOL is the only ISP I have ever used. Have thought of changing but never got around to it plus the fact my contract does not expire for a number of months.

As far as checking email is concerned, are you suggesting outlook express or maybe other means? I have thought about that but actually not got around to it.

Can I safely assume that you don't think much of AOL ???

[jholland1964]

How are you physically connected to the internet? Dial-up or something high speed?
You can easily change Internet Providers. Check out your local telephone book first. You can also check online doing a google search for internet providers. There are any number of ones that are nation wide.
I have no idea what you are paying for AOL, believe the national average is between $15 and $25 a month, our local dial-up internet provider charges $15 a month and there are many national dial-up providers which have local numbers that charge as little as $10 a month. Of course you don't have the local tech support with those, though many do offer telephone and online support.

[TurcoLoco]

Xonk, from your AOL dialer comment, I am assuming you are on AOL Dial-up service, if so, time to upgrade!

Just to answer your question, if AOL is your Dial-up ISP, then you have to connect with it first, then you could minimizer the connection window and the AOL browser and use another browser.

or

Configure a Dial-up entry to dial the AOL Internet server at the same phone number that the AOL dialer using. For the Phone Dial-up entry (shortcut) you have to specify your AOL login credentials as well (user name/password). This way you can connect to the Internet (to AOL's server) without having to use AOL dialer or browser. Once the connection is established you could use any broswer you want. This workaround used to work but I am not sure if it'd still be do-able since I have not yet messed with AOL since the 6 months I was a member back in 1998.

May I remind you that there are really good highspeed options out there? If you do not live in the middle of nowhere and can get AT&T/Yahoo DSL, I'd look into it. Heck even my stubborn sister gave up on Juno (so called Accellerated Dial-up service for $14.99) and got SBC/Yahoo ADSL package for $14.99 a month. It has plenty speed for common net users (128Kbits upload and 768Kbits download if I am not mistaken).
Also, now their home line doesn't ring busy when they are online!

~TL

[Gizmokid2005]

I was on AOL for a while. No, I do not and never will like them. You could theroetcially like TL said, setup a dialer to use AOL's number and credentials.

Now, as for using Outlook Express for your mail, I'm not sure. You'd have to find their mail servers...which I'm sure are hard to find with them...

[jholland1964]

I don't believe you can use Outlook Express with AOL to pick up AOL mail. You can use it for other email accounts, just not AOL.

[Gizmokid2005]

I'm not 100% sure either...I doubt you can...

[xonk]

Hi ALL

Sincere apologies for ignoring this thread but only just came across it today whilst checking on unanswered threads.
This matter can be considered closed. I decided some time ago to get rid of AOL hence not interested any more. They were a pain in the a--

Thanks

[jholland1964]

Hi ALL

Sincere apologies for ignoring this thread but only just came across it today whilst checking on unanswered threads.
This matter can be considered closed. I decided some time ago to get rid of AOL hence not interested any more. They were a pain in the a--

Thanks

You are one of the first people I have had say you got rid of AOL...Bravo!