| Author |
Message |
    
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 481
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 10:43 pm: |     |
I have both AOL 8.0 and 9.0 on my computer, (2 different accounts) but mostly use AOL 8.0. For some reason all of a sudden (as in the past few days) I can't pull up my buddy list on 8.0. I can get a little IM block, where I can enter a name, but when I hit 'send' nothing happens. After a few minutes I get a 'system not responding' message.
However, when I use AOL 9.0, a different account on the same computer, the buddy list loads fine. If I try to IM one of the screen names from 9.0 to one on 8.0 I get 'the person is unavailable' message.
I tried system restore, no luck. Reinstalled the software for 8.0. Even tried the AOL 'fix. Nothing.
I need to continue to use 8.0 seperate from 9.0. Any suggestions?
Thanks! |
Mayor McCheese
Citizen
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 12:25 am: | |
Did you uninstall the 8.0 software before you reinstalled it? Sometimes this can make a difference.
Are you just trying to keep the accounts on different AOL programs? Or do you need to keep 8.0? I know I had 2 versions of 3.0 installed at one time. So, you may be able to have 2 versions of 9.0 on the computer, with 2 different accounts on them.
You may also want to run a virus scanner just to be sure that is not the problem.
Sorry I don't have a better solution for you. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 4858
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 4:35 pm: | |
If at all possible, you should not have two versions of AOL on your computer at the same time. Doing so can lead to all types of problems. Unless you have performance issues with AOL 9.0, I would delete both versions of AOL from the hard drive, using the "remove programs" function in your control panel. Then I would reinstall 9.0 from the disk. You shouldn't lose your personal settings because AOL saves them for you when you do an uninstall if reply "yes" at the appropriate time. Since AOL 9.0 offers something like 7 separate users per account, you can easily set up two or more distinct identities with distinct settings on AOL 9.0.
Regarding the IM question, if your AOL 8.0 and AOL 9.0 accounts have different user names, you won't see the IM contacts from one account when you toggle to the other. In the worst case scenario, you may have to re-create some of your buddy contacts.
|
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 483
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 10:30 am: | |
I'm starting to pound my head on my desk!!! I was up to 3am trying to correct the AOL problem with no luck! I uninstalled all the copies of AOL on my computer, both 8.0 and 9.0. I then reinstalled 8.0. The sane problem with the instant messaging exists! Since my sister has AOL 8.0 on her computer, I signed on hers as a guest to see what would happen. Guess what? My buddy list loaded! I've run Norton, Spybot, Spyhunter, nothing worked.
Joan? Mayor? Any other suggestions? Anyone? Thanks!
Luckily I don't have to be back at work til 2pm... |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 505
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 12:05 pm: | |
Did you do a restart between un-install and Re-install?
You might want to clean your registry out a bit Before a re-install also.
There are several cleaners out there, here is a link for Registry Medic, http://www.iomatic.com/products/product.asp?ProductID=registrymedic
it is shareware and will allow you to try it on a trial basis.
After this is done I suggest another restart before doing the re-install.
1- un-install
2- restart
3- clean the registry
4- restart
5- re-install
6- restart
7- check it out....
|
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 885
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 6:30 pm: | |
Just an FYI (though you might already know this), your buddy list and email are stored on AOL's servers, not locally (unless you download your emails). So even if you were to completely remove every trace of AOL from your computer, you could still recoup your buddy list (and any emails you haven't deleted) when you reinstall.
Also, if you only need IM (not the rest of AOL, you could use AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) rather than AOL itself. It's smaller, and it'll pull your buddy list straight from AOL. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 487
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 7:21 pm: | |
Hi Monster-
No I didn't do a restart between un-install and Re-install. And I had no idea about cleaning out the registry.
I downloaded and installed the one you mentioned. Decided to clean out the registry before I did anything else. LOTS of things came up! I don't even understand it al. The problem is with the shareware, you can only corect five files. Guess I'm going to be buying it like I bought Spyhunter, which also stopped working when I reinstalled it.
I'm then going to go through the steps you suggested. Think I'll be busy for the next few hours. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 488
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 7:25 pm: | |
Hi Woodstock-
Thanks I didn't realize the buddy list was stored on the AOL server. But maybe I should have because it shows up when I log on from other computers.
I do save my mail to my hard drive in AOLs file cabinet.
Unfortuantely, I need all of AOL 8.0.  |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 489
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 10:43 pm: | |
Monster-
Sigh. I tried what you suggested. It didn't work. Now I have trouble stayng connected. If I did a system restore, will it undo everything I did today? |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 506
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 2:04 am: | |
a system restore should help,
Did you by any chance try contacting an AOL representative for help with this, perhaps there is something they could recommend, it may very well be an issue with having two versions on the computer at once. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 490
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 6:28 am: | |
Hi Monster-
I'm going to call AOL later today. It's just so hard to get through to them. After I did what you suggested, I only installed AOL 8.0. I have a feeling it's going to turn out to be something with Norton. But that's a whole nother story. Thanks again. I'll let you know what happens. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 491
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 6:50 am: | |
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!! I know what the problem is!!! As I typed my last note the thought crossed my mind it had to be something on my computer causing the problem.
I went through Norton Firewall and System Works yesterday even upgraded to Norton 2005, thinking that might be the problem. But the AOL problem still persisted. LAst night when I finally gave up (at 1am) I had though about uninstalling Norton and trying again; but was too tired.
I realized after I typed my last note I could just disable the firewall to test my theory before I do a total uninstall.
Guess what? IT WORKED!!! So, there is a problem with the Norton! I thought that yesterday and upgraded to 2005 by downloading it (my subscription had ended a few days ago) which is when the problem with AOL started!!!
I ordered the disks for 2005, but they hadn't come yet, so I downloaded the upgrade yestterday thinking if it's Norton the problem would be corrected. I'm guessing when I upgraded to 2005 it saved whatever messed up setting I already had on my Norton 2004 had.
So, I'm thinking what I now need to do is uninstall Norton Firewall and System Works then reinstall it with NEW Norton 2005 disks when they come that way there won't be any old settings. Do you think that will work?
An added footnot -as soon as I re enabled the firewall the buddy list disappeared and I got knocked off line. So it's the Norton casuing the problem!
I can't believe the HOURS I spent trying to correct this mess! |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 507
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 10:34 am: | |
Just the Aunt,
I must be slippin', because one of the first things you should always look at is any recent changes made to the computer, either software or hardware.
To un-install Norton 2005, and re-install it, check out this page at Symantec, http://tinyurl.com/48fbf
Or, you could take a good look at the preferences for what the Firewall is blocking and then remove the rule pertaining to AOL IM.
|
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 4869
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:50 pm: | |
Just the Aunt:
I would also suggest that you check your system resources to see if you have enough memory to support both AOL 8.0 and Norton 2005. Each program requires a lot of memory and your system may not be capable of running both programs at the same time.
The disconnects you are describing could result from your computer not having enough memory to stay connected when Norton is running. I had just that problem with my former computer and ended up buying a new one. |
monster
Citizen
Username: Monster
Post Number: 509
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 4:56 pm: | |
System resources may be a factor, but since it was running fine before the upgrade to Norton 2005, I wouldn't think it Nortons draw would change that much, then again...this is Symantec's Norton.... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 492
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 10:09 pm: | |
Thanks Joan Woodstock and Monster for your suggestions!!! The problem is corrected! It was Norton 2005 Firewall and Systemworks. I deleted them, got a refund and kept 2004. Instead of upgrading to 2005 I renewed for 2004. |
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