MDGx MAX Speed WinDOwS �Tricks � Secrets � Bugs � Fixes

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AOL 32-bit for Windows 95/98/ME �Tweaks + Speed-Ups
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These topics refer STRICTLY to ALL America Online (AOL) 32-bit client releases
for Windows 95/98/ME, unless specified otherwise:
http://www.mdgx.com/aol.htm
___________________________________________________________________
| ALWAYS BACKUP ALL YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM DRIVES TO A SAFE LOCATION |
| BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE ANY SYSTEM CHANGES ! |
| http://www.mdgx.com/secrets.htm#BKP |
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WARNING: Take EXTREME CAUTION when modifying your System/Startup settings!
Faulty changes may result in crashes/lockups/permanent data loss, or
might lead to having you REINSTALL your Operating System(s)!
YOU are the ONLY one responsible for ANY changes YOU make!
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR MOST RECENT SYSTEM BACKUP READY!

NOTES: - These �Tricks + Secrets have been tested on many computers, but with
NO guarantee they should also work for you!
- Some of these tips I stumbled upon while browsing the Internet or
while helping others with WinDOwS problems, some were kindly sent in
by concerned readers (all authors/contributors are acknowledged and
reliable sources given proper credit), and some I discovered on my
own. Enjoy the ride!
- Contributed tips (clearly marked) posted here do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the author of these files.

Please send me feedback online:

http://www.mdgx.com/form.htm

MUST HAVE from SOFTWARE.TXT (included):

- FREE WINDOWS 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 AOL 32-bit POWER TOYS:
http://www.mdgx.com/aoltoy.htm

AOLTIPS.TXT Contents: [New �tweaks added at the TOP]

DISABLE TURBO WEB

AOL.EXE SWITCHES
AOL ANTI-IDLE!
KILL AOL 4.0 [UPDATED 10-16-2001]
OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL
OPEN URL WITH AOL
AOL PROXY SERVER
AOL PERSONAL FILE CABINET
AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX
AOL 56K MODEM "PLAGUE"
AOL THROUGH TCP/IP (My �trick)
AOL INSTANT MESSAGES ON/OFF
AOL MAXMTU REVISITED (My �trick) [UPDATED 1-27-1999]
AOL WEB BROWSING
BACKUP WITH SCANREG -> TIPS98.TXT
FASTEST INTERNET 98 - #2-> TIPS98.TXT
FASTER 56K MODEM -> REGISTRY.TXT
MODEM INI STRINGS -> REGISTRY.TXT
URL PREFIX FIX -> REGISTRY.TXT
HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? #2 -> REGISTRY.TXT
REGISTER ACTIVEX CONTROL-> MYTIPS95.TXT
56K MODEMS @ 56K SPEED -> MYTIPS95.TXT
ISPS KNOWN MTU VALUES -> MYTIPS95.TXT
FAST, FAST, FAST -> MYTIPS95.TXT
SYSTEM.INI TWEAKS -> MYTIPS95.TXT

AOL Help + Tips on the Internet:

http://www.mdgx.com/aol.htm#AOLL
______________________________________________________________________________
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DISABLE TURBO WEB

Courtesy of Aint.

"This works with all AOL 3/4/5/6/7/8/9 32-bit client releases.

I have watched AOL's method of opening many a different port number, and
using ports other than the common HTTP 80 port. In my case it was:

205.188.146.146 port 11523

First make sure to close AOL completely.

To force AOL to act more like a normal browser (and fix problems getting web
pages): fire up Regedit and go to:
- for currently logged on user:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\America Online\AOL\CurrentVersion
and:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\America Online\America Online\CurrentVersion
- or for all users on the same computer:
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\America Online\AOL\CurrentVersion
and:
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\America Online\America Online\CurrentVersion
Under all Registry subkeys above (in the right hand pane) look for the
"WWWUseTurboWeb" DWORD [REG_DWORD] Values (no quotes, case insensitive).
(Double-)click on each and change their Decimal value from 1 (default) to 0.
Close the Registry Editor when done.
From now on AOL will act more like a standard browser and uses port 80 (HTTP)
to open web pages. This cured AOL's inability to surf the net, and seems to
load web sites a bit faster.
You can check this: open a DOS box -> type:

netstat -a 2 netstat.log

and hit Enter.

This will create a netstat .log file in your main Windows folder [if using
Win95/98/ME] or in your %windir%\SYSTEM32 folder [if using
WinNT4/2000/XP/2003], which will update every 2 seconds.
Press Ctrl + C simultaneously to stop logging. You can change 2 to 5 or 10
etc...
I also noted that NOT all WWWUseTurboWeb entries have the same value, so you
may want to make them all either 0 or 1 and see what works better for you."
______________________________________________________________________________
AOL.EXE SWITCHES

AOL.EXE command line parameters work with ALL Windows 3.1x/9x/ME releases.
To learn how to start AOL using command line switches, which allows you to go
directly to your area of interest upon running AOL, proceed with these steps:
1. Start AOL.
2. Click the Favorites icon.
3. Open Favorite Places.
4. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item.
5. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type:
AOL Logon Scripts
or any other suggestive name.
6. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type:
aol://4344:431.scrptaol.1313877.538546639
7. Click OK.
8. (Double-)click on "AOL Logon Scripts" and read the topic.

FYI: See "OPEN URL WITH AOL" + "OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this
file) for examples.
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL ANTI-IDLE!

If you are among the millions of frustrated AOLers who have been "greeted"
with a 45 minutes inactivity popup dialog box one too many times, when you ARE
in fact doing something on the Internet [eventually using a stand-alone web
browser (see "AOL WEB BROWSING" further below for details) while connected to
AOL], you should consider one of these solutions:

1. AOL users located in the USA or Canada:

If using a "Call Waiting" (or similar) service provided by your telephone
company (telco), turn it off by adding the *70 (or 70# or 1170 = depending on
your local phone line provider) prefix followed in most cases by a comma (,)
in front of your (local) phone number used to connect to AOL.

2. Install one of the "FREE WINDOWS 9x/NT/2000/ME/XP/2003 AOL 32-bit TOOLS"

listed in SOFTWARE.TXT (included):
http://www.mdgx.com/aoltoy.htm
which perform a similar job: monitor and dismiss the 45 min time limit
inactivity popup messages. Just make sure to get one that works with your
particular AOL version and MS Operating System. :)
______________________________________________________________________________

KILL AOL 4.0 [UPDATED 10-16-2001]

Have you ever had AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 (32-bit for Win9x/ME) freeze on you,
especially while trying to access AOL areas? If you just answered yes, read
on, there's still hope for ye. :)
I know of 3 ways to "kill" a frozen AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 session:
1. Hit the "three finger salute combo": the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys the same
time -> highlight "America Online [Not responding]" -> click the "End Task"
button.
But sometimes, under certain system configs, after doing this, your entire
machine (OS) may freeze, and you may have to punch that dreaded Reset button
on your computer case. :(
2. But fear no more, there is a way to close AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 WITHOUT locking
up your "beloved" Operating System. Get TaskMan for Windows 9x/ME [16 KB], a
great freeware tool that can "kill" ANY (in)visible running/locked app or
process:
http://www.reocities.com/SiliconValley/network/4414/Prod_Body.html#taskman
Copy TaskMan.exe over the one included with your Windows copy (which you
should BACKUP FIRST!) to your Windows folder. Now instead of using
Ctrl+Alt+Del, just run the new TaskMan (create a shortcut for it in the Start
menu) -> browse to "America Online [Whatever...]" -> (double-)click on it ->
poof, gone!
3. The above are only temporary measures though. :) The "radical" method is
to "ditch" (uninstall) AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 completely and get the new AOL 9.0
32-bit for Win98/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 from AOL keyword UPGRADE [36 MB
download!].
But do NOT forget to keep your custom settings [account info, screen name(s),
saved password(s), favorite links, saved e-mail, address book, buddies list
etc], by making a backup copy of these AOL 3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0 folders and their
contents beforehand (I used C:\AOL4 in this example but you can change that
if different): C:\AOL4\IDB and C:\AOL4\ORGANIZE, and of these files (if
present) from the C:\AOL4 main directory: AOL.INI, AOLPP.INI, AOLPP2.INI,
GOTO.INI and VIEWERS.INI.
Now you're ready to uninstall AOL by running: Start button -> Settings ->
Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> America Online -> hit the Add/Remove
button.
Finally install AOL9, and let it pick up your custom settings from your ol'
AOL 3/4/5/6 which you need to restore to their original folder names (listed
above), and you're all set.
Just make sure to answer NO to this question (or similar), while installing
AOL9:
"Do you want to make AOL your default browser?"
AOL9 adds some nice bonuses for ya: up to 7 screen names per account (and if
you have/create your own AOL based web site you'll get 2Mb of disk space for
each screen name, which amounts up to a total of 14Mb if using all 7 screen
names), access to new/improved AOL areas, better compatibility with external
web browsers (like MS Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator), and [cross
your fingers ;)] more stability.
After installing AOL 7.0 software, you MUST also upgrade your MS Internet
Explorer copy to the NEWEST version, which includes all current security
patches and fixes for safer browsing:
http://www.mdgx.com/nettoys.htm#IEX
... And from now on you'll experience (hopefully) fewer AOL lockups...
BTW: Yule need a serious dose of good luck too! :)
______________________________________________________________________________

OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL

Submitted by Da Drk Sde.

"To have a "Mailto:" URL you click in an external browser open in AOL e-mail
instead of Outlook Express (or whatever 3rd party e-mail application you're
using), you need to Edit the "Open" Action for the "URL:Mailto Protocol"
under File Types in Explorer to point to Aol.exe, by adding these command
line switches (quote marks are necessary as shown):
"drive:\directory\aol.exe -nUsername -pPassword -u" "%1"
[Thank you Troy for the correct syntax!]
Where:
- Username: will be the name you wish to send AOL e-mail from, if not already
connected to AOL. If connected, AOL will igore the Username and Password.
- Password: use this option if the name used above doesn't have a saved
password and you do not want to type it in everytime AOL starts up.
- %1: in this case the command line will be filled in by the contents of the
mailto link you clicked in the external browser, so AOL will recognize it as
such, and will open the appropriate Username and Domain to fill in the address
boxes."

NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in
AOLTIPS.TXT (this file).

UPDATE:
"With AOL 7.0 in Windows 98 the shortcut target for supplying AOL with name
and password is (default location):
"C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aol.exe" -nUserName -pPassWord
Note that the name and password parameters are not between the quotes."
[Thank you Ken!]
______________________________________________________________________________

OPEN URL WITH AOL

Courtesy of Ben.

"To open an URL (internet address) directly with AOL, add this new command to
the "Internet Shortcut" file type in Explorer -> View -> Options -> Open with
AOL. The command line should read (quote marks are necessary as shown):
"drive:\directory\aol.exe -u" "%1"
Any stand-alone browser that was the default for the "Internet Shortcut"
should remain the default. Right-clicking an Internet Shortcut and selecting
"Open with AOL" will now open and dial AOL, and then open the Internet
Shortcut with the normal (default) browser.
This is tricky though, and may cause some strange results with different
browsers and versions."

NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in
AOLTIPS.TXT (this file).
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL PROXY SERVER

Using a proxy server with ISPs that support it (including AOL), enables
anonymous ("stealth") Internet browsing. This means that a web site using
server based Java, JavaScript, CGI, Perl or any other tracking technology
cannot detect your IP, IP point of origin or e-mail address anymore.
Normal browsing allows this detection, and further more, by using one of
Netscape's or other 3rd party 32-bit WWW/FTP browsers with built-in e-mail
capabilities, a server you access can "extract" your personal e-mail info,
and also use IP detection for sending and/or reading cookies to and from your
browser (only if your browser is set to accept cookies). MS IE 3/4/5/6
browsers make an exception, and therefore are "safe" for "stealth" browsing,
because they don't have a built-in e-mail tool.
Another advantage of using proxies is an increase in browsing speed, due to
the ISPs/Online Services capability of caching web pages and graphics files
locally on their servers, thus accessing various web sites faster from the
cached pages.
IMPORTANT:
The AOL MTU workaround (described in "AOL MAXMTU REVISITED", also included
here) needs to be applied AFTER enabling the AOL proxy feature, in order to
make the faster AOL MTU of 576 work properly!
Also, enabling the AOL proxy in your browser might revert the AOL MTU back
to 1500 on some Win9x systems! In this case, if you'd like to speedup your
AOL connection by using a MTU of 576, you might need to disable it.
The AOL proxy server works ONLY IF YOU:
1. Are an AOL (America Online) member.
2. Connect to AOL ONLY by using one of AOL's proprietary networking
protocols, NOT through a 3rd party ISP using AOL's TCP/IP protocol!
3. Use 32-bit AOL client software 3/4/5/6/7/8/9 for Windows 9x/ME, and
4. Use a 32-bit proxy capable web browser, like Mozilla Gecko/Firefox 1.xx,
Netscape Navigator/Communicator 3/4/6 (freely distributed), or Microsoft
Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 (also free) for Windows 9x/ME.

AOL PROXY SERVER USING NETSCAPE BROWSERS:

... Appears courtesy of Jason, and updated courtesy of Ben:

"1. You MUST be a member of AOL using AOL 32-bit for Windows 9x.
2. Go to the Netscape web site:
http://browser.netscape.com/
and install the latest version of Netscape Communicator 32-bit.
3. Run Netscape and go to: Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Proxies.
4. Choose "Manual Proxy Configuration", and click on View.
5. On the HTTP space, type:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
6. On the small space just to the right which is the Port, type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS).
7. Netscape will work with AOL perfectly and FAST!"

AOL PROXY SERVER USING MICROSOFT BROWSERS:

To use the AOL proxy server feature with your 32-bit Windows 9x/ME Microsoft
Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 browser (started separately, NOT using AOL's custom
IE interface from within AOL), apply these easy steps, courtesy of The
Captain, and updated courtesy of Ben:

"This works with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x 32-bit (instructions for
1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x, 5.0x + 6.0x are slightly different) and AOL 32-bit software
in Windows 9x/ME.

Open IE4 -> click View -> Internet Options -> Connection tab. Place a check
mark in "Access the Internet using a proxy server". Type in:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
in the Address field, then type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS) in the Port field, and check "Bypass proxy server for
local (Intranet) addresses".
Click OK twice.

Open IE5 -> click Tools -> Internet Options -> click "LAN Settings" under the
"Connection" tab to list the "Proxy Server" options on the bottom half of the
window that comes up. Place a check mark in "Use a proxy server". In the
"Address" box type:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
In the "Port" box type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS).
Click OK twice."

NOTE: If you use another ISP besides AOL as your alternative or primary
Internet connection (and then eventually log on to AOL through AOL's TCP/IP
protocol), you need to disable the AOL proxy in your web browser while
connected to your other ISP, and eventually enable the specific proxy for your
ISP, if available.

More info:
http://webmaster.info.aol.com/proxyinfo.html

UPDATE: [Thank you Ben!]

"I investigated the AOL proxy server option further, and discovered that
"ie3.proxy.aol.com" and "www3.proxy.aol.com" must be "generic" names for all
"vip-**.proxy.aol.com" servers.
Maybe they're juggling this around because too many users who aren't "Very
Important People" (VIP) are using the "ie3.proxy.aol.com" setting. :)
If "ie3.proxy.aol.com" is used, the actual server will vary:
vip-wo.proxy.aol.com
vip-wn.proxy.aol.com
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
etc...
To see what I mean, run:
PING -a -l 548 ie3.proxy.aol.com
eventually changing 548 to various packet (MTU) sizes."
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL PERSONAL FILE CABINET

Many thanks Ed for your cool trick!

"Saving your AOL artwork and Personal Filing Cabinet

This is a little trick I learned when my AOL software crashed (due to a
power surge and I didn't have a recent backup) and I found out my Personal
Filing Cabinet was too large to be transferred to another installation
using AOL's standard procedures (i.e. reinstalling the software). Follow
these steps to recover your information:

1. From Windows 9x, exit to DOS.

2. Rename your original AOL directory to something like AOL30BAK (RENAME
C:\AOL30 C:\AOL30BAK where C represents the drive letter to which you
installed AOL.)
3. Restart Windows and install the AOL software, being sure NOT, repeat
NOT, to let the installation software search your hard drive for a previous
AOL installation.
4. After AOL has installed, DO NOT start it. Exit Windows again to DOS.
5. Go to the AOL30BAK\IDB directory (CD\AOL30BAK\IDB) and copy everything
but the MAIN.IDX file to your new AOL IDB directory (COPY *.*
C:\AOL30\IDB). DO NOT, repeat DO NOT tell the COPY command to overwrite
files always when it asks if you want to.
You can overwrite every file but MAIN.IDX. Failure to follow this step
could cause problems later on.
6. Go to the AOL30BAK\ORGANIZE directory (CD\AOL30BAK\ORGANIZE). Copy the
contents of this directory to your new AOL directory (COPY *.*
C:\AOL30\ORGANIZE).
7. Restart Windows. Start AOL and follow the instructions for signing on
as a new user. When AOL asks, enter your Screen Name and Password to sign
on to the network. Go to the Members drop-down menu and select PREFERENCES.
Set both Graphics and Personal Filing Cabinet to at least 30MB.
8. Sign-off and exit AOL. Then exit to DOS one last time.
9. Go to the AOL30BAK\IDB directory (CD\AOL30BAK\IDB) and copy the
MAIN.IDX file to your new AOL IDB directory (COPY MAIN.IDX C:\AOL30\IDB),
overwriting as necessary.
10. And that's it. When you sign on in your new installation, AOL tries to
create a new Personal Filing Cabinet for you. Since your old filing
cabinet is already in the ORGANIZE directory and providing that it is not
corrupted, AOL recognizes it and acts accordingly. Your data should be
recovered. Copying MAIN.IDX into your new installation preserves any
artwork you have acquired, and when you sign on again the software will
automatically update and (providing none of the files in the IDB directory
is corrupt) all of your old settings should be restored.
But double check your modem setup all the same.

I've only tried this with AOL 3.0 (I don't care for 4.0 because of the way
it handles mail), but I suspect it will work with 4.0 as well because the
architecture is basically similar."

UPDATE:
"Here's another way to save your File Cabinet if you have to reinstall AOL
(this works with AOL 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). Since AOL will save the Download and
Organize folders when you uninstall, copy only your Idb folder somewhere else,
uninstall, and then reinstall AOL. Then copy it back under your new AOL
folder, replacing the one there."
This update courtesy of Tom.
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX

This Registry fix applies to ALL AOL users who installed AOL v4.0 or v5.0
32-bit software for Windows 95/98, and is aimed to obtain MAXimum transfer
speed on AOL, with a 28 - 56 kbps analog modem.
This is THE ONLY way you can force AOL 4.0 and 5.0 to use a MTU value other
than 1500 or 1472 (default), which is optimized ONLY for LAN/WAN networks,
xDSL and cable and satellite modems, but NOT for analog modems, no matter how
you connect to AOL:
- using AOL as your primary ISP by dialing one of AOL's local phone numbers
available in your area;
- using another primary ISP to log on to the Internet, and then using AOL's
TCP/IP protocol to sign on to AOL.
CREDITS:
This workaround was successfully experimented by Arvid with AOL 4.0 and by
Jeff with AOL 5.0. Many thanks for sharing!
THE BUG:
When you install AOL 4.0 or 5.0 on your Windows 9x computer, it creates this
new Registry key, you can see by running Regedit:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\aolsock
and in the right hand pane you'll notice one of these DWORD values (default):
mtu 0x000005dc (1500)
or:
mtu 0x000005c0 (1472)
THE FIXES:
1. You MUST apply this fix [delete the "aolsock" Registry key], and then set
your TCP/IP MTU to 576, as described in the "AOL MAXMTU REVISITED" topic, also
included here, to make all this work properly!
2. On some Win9x machines you'll also notice this AOL 4/5 Registry key (using
Regedit):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\AolsockBack
If your Registry doesn't have this key, you need to create it: start Regedit
-> go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL
right-click on "AOL" -> select New -> click Key -> type "AolsockBack" (no
quotes) -> click OK or press Enter.
This is the "AolsockBack" MTU DWORD value in the right hand pane (default):
mtu 0x000005dc (1500)
or:
mtu 0x000005c0 (1472)
To create a new "mtu" DWORD (if not present) under "AolsockBack": right-click
in the right hand pane -> select New -> DWORD Value -> name it "mtu" (no
quotes) -> click OK or press Enter.
To change the MTU used by AOL to 576 (for MAX speed) under "AolsockBack":
right-click on "mtu" -> select Modify -> check the Decimal box -> type 576 ->
click OK or press Enter.
Now restart Windows and log on to AOL.
According to Arvid (using AOL v4.0) and to Jeff (using AOL v5.0), their
download speeds went from 1-2 KB/sec to 4-5 KB/sec, sometimes even faster,
ONLY after applying this tweak!
Have fun.
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL 56K MODEM "PLAGUE"

This fix was kindly sent in by Ojatex, a frustrated AOL 32-bit client user
and Windows 98 OS owner.
NOTE: This fix affects ALL Windows 95/98/ME 56K modem Internet PPP (Point to
Point Protocol) and Dial-Up Connection (DUN) hookups, no matter what Internet
Service Provider (ISP) or Online Service you are using.

"Hi Captain,

In your MODEMS.TXT file you write:

"MaxMTU Fix

Some people have found that their Internet file transfers are quite slow,
often between 900 - 1,800 characters per second, even on a 56k modem."

This problem was a plague even though I usually connect to AOL at 41,333 -
49,333 bps and browsing is fairly speedy. However download speed of files
was miserable. There is a "fix" that works quite well on my system:
1. Open Control Panel -> Modems.
2. From General Tab select Properties.
3. Select Connection Tab -> Advanced.
4. Under Add Extra Settings, enter the following:
ATS27=64S15=128
This increased my download speed to 4.5 - 5.0 kbps."

FYI:
- Captain's MODEMS.TXT is included in this archive for your reading pleasure.
- See also "56K MODEMS @ 56K SPEED" in MYTIPS95.TXT (included) for more
details using 56K modems to connect to the Internet in Windows 9x/ME.
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL THROUGH TCP/IP (My �trick)

This tip applies to all America Online members who:

- use Windows 95/98 OS;
- use AOL v3.0 software client 32-bit for Windows 95/98 [this does NOT work
with AOL v4.0 or v5.0!];
- connect to AOL through another (primary) ISP (Internet Service Provider);
- log to the Internet using Win95/98 TCP/IP PPP protocol through the Dial-Up
Networking (DUN) applet, configured for the primary ISP.
NOTE: This tip is NOT valid for AOL 4/5 users, who have to configure the
built-in AOL protocol for TCP/IP connections. See your AOL 4.0 or 5.0 help
files for details.
I'm going to use in this example AT&T Worldnet as primary ISP. This means
your DUN must be configured to log on to Worldnet FIRST. You should be able
to log on to the Internet by (double-)clicking the Worldnet icon on your
desktop.
NOTE: To learn how to "squeeze" maximum performance out of your DUN connection
using your ISP, read "SPEEDUP MY DUN!" in MYTIPS95.TXT (included).
Then you have the choice of starting your favorite web browser and surf away,
or/and check your e-mail on AOL the same time (like I do).
And AOL membership is only $9.95/month for unlimited use, if using another
ISP to connect (the so-called "BYOA" option = Bring Your Own Access). See
details at AOL Keyword: BYOA.
I use a local provider (TWR Online) as my primary ISP, which charges only
$10.75/month for unlimited use (with an anual fee of $129). Therefore my
monthly online charges amount to a grand total of $20.70, including AOL's
$9.95/month, which allows me to use both for less than AOL's standard fee of
$21.95/month (their unlimited use option).
Worldnet has its own proprietary method of starting AOL through a link found
usually at the top of your web browser's Bookmark file/Favorites folder.
But this may be time consuming, because you need to connect to Worldnet's
server every time you want to access the AOL link. :(
BUT luckily there is a workaround. :)
This solution is valid no matter which primary ISP you are using, as long as
you meet ALL conditions enumerated at the beginning of this topic.
Just follow the easy steps below to start AOL locally, without using
Worldnet's (or your primary ISP's) remote AOL link.
1. Create a new shortcut on your desktop for AOL 3.0: right-click on an
empty spot on your desktop.
2. Select New.
3. Click Shortcut.
4. Browse to your AOL 3.0 folder.
5. (Double-)click the AOL.EXE (or WAOL.EXE) executable.
6. Type in these parameters on the command line AFTER aol.exe (or
waol.exe), separated by a space (AOL 3.0 is installed by default in the
C:\AOL30 folder):
C:\AOL30\AOL.EXE -aATT -cTCP.CCL
or:
C:\AOL30\WAOL.EXE -aATT -cTCP.CCL
7. Click Finish.
8. Optional: change your AOL shortcut's name and/or icon if you so desire.
HINT: You can use the AOL custom icon (the small magenta sphere in the
middle of a triangle) found in MYICONS.DLL (included).
Bingo! If you (double-)click your new AOL shortcut, you'll see a new AT&T
icon to the right, on AOL's main menu bar. If you click the AT&T icon, AOL
simply shuts down if you are not signed on (offline mode), or logs off and
then exits if you happen to be online.
The "-aATT" parameter can be used independently, just to get the extra
"AOL shut down" icon (the only drawback is that AOL's modem Setup is
disabled).
What this means: the "-cTCP.CCL" command line parameter tells AOL 3.0 to
start in "TCP/IP mode", instead of its default "modem mode" (used to
connect through AOL's proprietary modem protocol, using AOLNET.CCL by
default, when you use AOL as your primary ISP). TCP.CCL (AOL's proprietary
TCP/IP protocol) is actually a file found in the \AOL30\CCL subfolder,
when using the same folder name in the example above.
This way you can start AOL even if you are not connected to your primary
ISP (Worldnet in this example), and then you can sign on to AOL as soon as
your TCP/IP Internet connection has been established.
Have fun!
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL INSTANT MESSAGES ON/OFF

To turn off AOL Instant Messages (IMs) so they won't pop up while you're in
the middle of doing something else, log on to AOL and follow these steps:

A. First method:
1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box.
2. Type:
$im_off
in the IM Send to box.
3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box.
4. Hit Send.
To turn AOL Instant Messages back on:
1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box.
2. Type:
$im_on
in the IM Send to box.
3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box.
4. Hit Send.

B. Second method (some steps may differ slightly depending on your AOL
version):

1. Click the Favorites icon.

2. Open Favorite Places.
3. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item.
4. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type:
IM OFF
or any other suggestive name you wish.
5. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type:
aol://9293:$im_off
6. Click OK.
7. (Double-)click "IM OFF" to turn off AOL Instant Messages.
To turn IMs back on:
1. Click the Favorites icon.
2. Open Favorite Places.
3. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item.
4. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type:
IM ON
or any other suggestive name you wish.
5. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type:
aol://9293:$im_on
6. Click OK.
7. (Double-)click "IM ON" to turn on AOL Instant Messages.

C. Third method (applies ONLY to Windows 9x users):

Set AOL KillTimer for Win9x [74 KB, freeware]:

http://cbajgier.tripod.com/
to disable all IM pop-ups. KillTimer can also automatically push the "Yes/OK"
button whenever the annoying message generated after 45 minutes of online
inactivity shows up.
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL MAXMTU REVISITED (My �trick) [UPDATED 1-27-1999]

... As published at CNN, PC World, LangaList etc, and used in EasyMTU,

TweakDUN + TweakMASTER. See REVIEWS.TXT (included) or go to:
http://www.mdgx.com/reviews.htm

REQUIREMENTS:
This workaround applies to ALL America Online users who:
- connect to AOL using a 28 - 56 kbps analog modem;
- use Microsoft Windows 95 or 98 Operating Systems (ANY release); [... don't
we all?! :-)]
- use America Online (AOL) client software 32-bit version, ANY
retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM release 3.0/4.0/5.0 for Windows 95/98, and
- connect to the Internet using an AOL (local) phone number (via AOLnet).

BACKGROUND INFO:

DEFINITION:
Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) or packet size of a Network/ISP is the largest
amount of data that can be transferred in one physical frame on that Network.
Fragmentation will occur if a packet is sent across a Network that has a MTU
smaller than the packet's frame length. This leads to lower performance as
fragments need to be reassembled. The workaround in this case is to decrease
the Winsock's MTU value to match the minimum MTU of ALL intervening Networks.
Since it is virtually impossible to determine the minimum MTU of so many
Networks, trial and error is almost always the best choice. Start by trying to
match your MTU value with your Network/ISP's MTU. Typical cases:
- Ethernet networks: MTU = 1500
- SLIP servers: MTU = 1006
- PPP protocol (Internet TCP/IP): MTU = 576.
See also Microsoft's explanation of (Max)MTU:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050204171028/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140375

The only way for ALL AOL members to connect to the Internet (so far) is by
using AOL's software, [:-(] which in ALL 32-bit releases implements its own
built-in version of MTU setting of 1500. AOL's "mtu" parameter is found under
this Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\aolsock
"mtu"=dword:000005dc
and canNOT be changed when using version 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 of AOL 32-bit client.
It is ALWAYS reset to AOL's default value of 1500 whenever one logs on to AOL,
by being "hardwired" into AOLNDI.DLL, a file installed by the AOL 32-bit
software, and located both in AOL's folder and in Windows 95/98's
C:\Windows\System subfolder.
And if the "aolsock" Registry key is present, AOL 32-bit software also resets
(depending on different Dial-Up Networking system configurations) the NetTrans
MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU [Win98] back to 1500 under the TCP/IP Registry
keys, corresponding to the "AOL Adapter" and "TCP/IP -> AOL Adapter" items,
found on the Network Control Panel applet list.
But I have found a way around this AOL's limitation. [looks more like a bug
to me... :-)]

FAST FIX:

To speed up your AOL connection, and the same time skip the techno "geek
speak" in this article, I recommend using the new versions of these fine
programs, the only ones that (so far) apply ALL the Win95/98/AOL/MTU
recommended tweaks described below to your system:
- Rob Vonk's EasyMTU v3.0:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu/
the first, the best and the only FREEware
AOL/MTU/TTL/RWIN/COMBoostTime/cachesize/etc tweaking tool [360 KB]:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip
EasyMTU v3.0 includes FindMTU [a PING tool] to determine EXACTLY the MTU
value used by your ISP/Online Service (i.e. AOL).
- TweakDUN + TweakMASTER:
http://web.archive.org/web/20061020232245/http://www.pattersondesigns.com/tweakdun/
This topic suggested by Steve Bass, PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/
Editor + author of PC Annoyances book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0596008821/

THE WORKAROUNDS DETAILED:

DELETE "aolsock":

1. First, exit the AOL interface COMPLETELY.

2. Now run Regedit.exe (the Registry Editor), located in your Windows folder,
and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online
Export the ENTIRE Registry key above to a text file, using Regedit's
"Registry" -> "Export Registry File" feature. Save it as AOLKEY.TXT.
It's safer to choose the .TXT extension instead of the default .REG, so you
don't re-register (merge this key again into the Registry) by accident. :)
3. With the Registry Editor open, DELETE the "America Online" registry subkey
below. Right-click on "aolsock", select Delete, and answer Yes to the
confirmation prompt:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\aolsock
IMPORTANT:
You need to repeat ALL the steps described here EVERY time after you
(re)install ANY 32-bit version of AOL software, because it rewrites the
"aolsock" Registry key, and also resets the AOL "mtu", the TCP/IP NetTrans
"MaxMTU" (Win95), and/or the Net "IPMTU" (Win98) values back to 1500!

4. MANDATORY for ALL AOL v4.0 or v5.0 (beta or Gold) 32-bit software users,
Win98 and Win95: apply the "AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX", also included here.

5. TWEAK "MaxMTU" [Win95] + "IPMTU" [Win98]:

Recommended Registry values for AOL:

* Win95/OSR2 users: MaxMTU=576
* Win98/98 SE users: IPMTU=576
A MUST: READ my original/unique "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 2" tweak in
TIPS98.TXT (included), to learn how to MAXimize your AOL analog modem
connection speed by adjusting your MTU to ANY value you want!
NOTE: MaxMTU [Win95], IPMTU [Win98], DefaultRcvWindow [RWIN], DefaultTTL [TTL]
and cachesize [NDI] are NOT present in your Registry if you have never used a
"MTU tweaker" like EasyMTU, or added them yourself using a Registry editor
like Regedit.
AOL MTU in USA and Canada is actually 1500. But AOL servers do NOT support the
"do not fragment bit" protocol, therefore you NEED to use MTU=576 with AOL for
MAXimum performance!

* WINDOWS 95 + OSR2 USERS ONLY:

- THE EASY WAY [USE THE REG FILE]:

All necessary settings can be implemented by using the included file:
AOLMTU95.REG (or restored by using AOLDEF95.REG, also included). But FIRST
open these .REG files in Notepad and compare the Registry keys listed there
with yours. To view/edit your Win95 Registry, run the Registry editor
(REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win95 folder), and scroll to the keys listed in
AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF95.REG. The "DriverDesc"="TCP/IP" NetTrans keys: 0000,
0001, 0002 might have different values on your system. You may have more than
one "00nn" NetTrans keys ("nn" is an actual number, ranging anywhere from 00
up to 50, depending on your system's Network/Dial-Up settings). If that is
true, you HAVE TO REPLACE THEM with the ones found in YOUR Registry!
After modifying the AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF95.REG keys to match YOURS,
(double-)click on AOLMTU95.REG in Explorer or File Manager, to merge
(register) the new settings. Then restart Win95, log on to AOL as usual, and
notice any differences in access speed.

- THE HARD WAY :) [MODIFY THE REGISTRY MANUALLY]:

Run the Registry editor (REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win95 folder) and set
MaxMTU to 576 (Win95 default MaxMTU value is 1500) into ALL your TCP/IP
NetTrans Registry keys (these are the SLIP/PPP protocol keys). You may have
more than one.
Examples (these are ONLY my TCP/IP NetTrans registry keys, you MUST
customize YOURS to get similar results):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0000
"MaxMTU"="576"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0001
"MaxMTU"="576"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0002
"MaxMTU"="576"

MEANING:

"MaXMTU" = Maximum Transmission Unit, or MTU (packet size in Bytes).

Valid values: MTU = MSS + 40.
Respectively: 576, 1006, 1500 (other values are valid as well, depending on
the MTU used by different ISPs).
AOL in USA/Canada: MTU = 1500. But AOL servers do NOT support the "do not
fragment bit" protocol, therefore you NEED to use MTU = 576 with AOL for
maximum performance!
Default: 1500.
Recommended: 576.
Data type: string:
"MaxMTU"="576"

To determine EXACTLY which NetTrans keys you need to alter (and NO others),
bear in mind that you MUST have this entry:
"DriverDesc=TCP/IP"
under EACH of your TCP/IP NetTrans keys you want to modify! Change/add the
MaxMTU string ONLY under your NetTrans keys that have "TCP/IP" on the
"DriverDesc" line!
You may have more than one "00nn" NetTrans keys ("nn" is an actual number,
ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's
Network/TCP/IP/DUN settings).
Here there are two possibilities:
A. If you already have a "MaxMTU" entry: (double-)click on the right hand pane
"MaxMTU" string, and type in 576. Click OK.
B. If you don't have a "MaxMTU" entry: you can add it manually, by
(double-)clicking on EACH of your left hand pane TCP/IP NetTrans 000n/00nn
keys and then selecting New -> String value. Name the new string MaxMTU.
(Double-)click on it and give it a value of 576.
Repeat the steps above for ALL your TCP/IP NetTrans keys, to include the
recommended values for MaxMTU.
Restart Windows 95 when done so all changes can take effect.

* WINDOWS 98 + 98 SE(U) USERS ONLY:

- THE EASY WAY [USE THE REG FILE]:
All necessary settings can be implemented by using the included file:
AOLMTU98.REG (or restored by using AOLDEF98.REG, also included). But FIRST
open these .REG files in Notepad and compare the Registry keys listed there
with yours. To view/edit your Win98 Registry, run the Registry editor
(REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win98 folder), and scroll to the keys listed in
AOLMTU98.REG and AOLDEF98.REG. The "DriverDesc"="Dial-Up Adapter" and
"DriverDesc"="AOL Adapter" Net keys: 0000, 0001 etc might have different
values on your system. You may have more than one "00nn" Net keys ("nn" is an
actual numbers, ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's
Network/Dial-Up settings). If that is true, you HAVE TO REPLACE THEM with the
ones found in YOUR Registry!
After modifying the AOLMTU98.REG and AOLDEF98.REG keys to match YOURS,
(double-)click on AOLMTU98.REG in Explorer or File Manager, to merge
(register) the new settings. Then restart Win98, log on to AOL as usual, and
notice any differences in access speed.

- THE HARD WAY :) [MODIFY THE REGISTRY MANUALLY]:

These are the Registry settings you can change to get the fastest possible
AOL/Internet connection under Windows 98, using the TCP/IP protocol (Dial-Up
Networking) and AOL (America Online) 32-bit 3.0/4.0/5.0, only if you connect
to AOL through an AOL local phone number:
I. Start Regedit, and go to (default Win98 Registry key):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0000
"SLOWNET"=hex:00
"IPMTU"="576"
Make sure you modify these values ONLY under the Net keys that display
"DriverDesc"="Dial-Up Adapter" and/or "DriverDesc"="AOL Adapter" in the right
hand pane!
A. In the right hand pane, (double-)click the "SLOWNET" hex value, and change
its number from 01 to 00.
This won't dramatically increase your transfers but will reduce timeouts.
B. Change the "IPMTU" string to read 576. Win98's default is 0,
corresponding to the "Automatic" IP Packet Size setting: Control Panel ->
Network applet -> Dial-Up Adapter -> Advanced -> IP Packet Size.
Various Win98 TCP/IP configurations may contain the "SLOWNET" and "IPMTU"
values under different Registry subkeys. (Double-)click on the "Net" key (see
above) to view all its subkeys. Substitute the "00nn" key below with the
appropriate integer number(s) present on your machine (valid values for
nn = 00 - 50):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\00nn
Then track down all "SLOWNET" and "IPMTU" instances and modify them as
described above. Example (nn = 01):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0001
"IPMTU"="576"
II. Run Regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0000\Ndi\params\IPMT
U
"default"="576"
The same 00nn -> 0000, 0001... etc substitution principle (see above) applies
here.
Change the "default" string found in the right hand pane from 0 (Win98's
default "Automatic" setting) to 576.
Restart Windows 98 when done so all changes can take effect.

6. TWEAK "RWIN", "TTL", "maxconnect", "maxsockets" + "cachesize":

Tweak these other Registry settings (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!) to speed-up your

AOL connection (ALL Win98 AND Win95 users): follow the guidelines in "HOW FAST
CAN YOU GO? - Part 2" in REGISTRY.TXT (included).

Close the Registry Editor when you're done.

7. TWEAK "ComBoostTime":

You may gain MORE modem transfer speed by adding/modifying this line under
your SYSTEM.INI's [386enh] section to read:
COMBoostTime=1
SYSTEM.INI is a text file located in your Windows folder. Open it for editing
in Notepad.
The "COMBoostTime" setting affects the time (in milliseconds) the Operating
System processes a COM port interrupt. The default value is 2. If you notice a
loss of keyboard characters while using your ISP/AOL/communications
programs, increase COMBoostTime to 4 (further experimenting may be necessary
to determine your own optimal setting).
NOTE: You need to RESTART Windows EVERY time after modifying ANY SYSTEM.INI
settings!

8. THE MAGIC HOSTS FILE:

"One more speedup trick: You can save two to six seconds every time you go to
your favorite web pages. Just use a HOSTS file. This is your very own DNS
server, right in your own PC, and it translates the domain name into an IP
address. That means when your browser tries to contact www.microfsoft.com, the
HOSTS file runs interference, changes the URL into an IP address
(207.46.131.137) and speeds up the time it takes to get there.
Many programs create and manage HOSTS files. I don't have a favorite... any of
them will do the job."
See HOSTS Files, Guides + Tools [freeware]:
http://www.mdgx.com/hosts.php
This topic courtesy of Steve Bass, PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/
Editor + author of PC Annoyances book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0596008821/
HINT:
By default the HOSTS file (no extension) is located in your Win95/98 folder.
Edit it with Notepad, to read the usage guidelines and then add your
frequently visited web sites IP addresses/host names.
To get the IP address of your favorite server, let's say www.pcworld.com, run
PING (a Networking tool found also in your Win95/98 folder) from a DOS prompt
box/session, while connected to the Internet:
ping www.pcworld.com
These are the IP numbers you need:
Pinging www.pcworld.com [209.1.23.30] etc...
Copy them on a separate line into your Hosts file:
209.1.23.30 www.pcworld.com # PC World
Everything after the pound sign (#) is a comment.
Repeat this operation for each web site you want added.
TIP: Most web sites use dynamic IP addresses, meaning the numbers change every
time you try to access them. Therefore you might want to PING the same site
more than once, and then add ALL IP numbers found for that site, followed by
the host/website name (see example above) on separate lines in your Hosts
file.

9. Use a PROXY with AOL:

Read "AOL PROXY SERVER" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this file) for step-by-step

guidelines.
NOTE: The AOL MTU workaround (described above) needs to be applied AFTER
enabling the AOL proxy feature, in order to make the faster AOL MTU of 576
work properly! Enabling the AOL proxy in your browser might revert the AOL MTU
back to 1500 on some Win9x systems!
In this case, if you'd like to speedup your AOL connection by using a MTU of
576, you might have to disable the AOL proxy.

10. Restart Windows 95/98 and then start AOL. Connect as usual. Notice any
differences in access speed/modem throughput, while browsing through AOL and
Internet areas, and try to download some files off AOL/Internet for
comparison.

RESTORE DEFAULTS:

If you experience slow-downs accessing AOL and/or the Internet after applying
the above workarounds:
I. (Double-)click on AOLDEF98.REG [Win98 users] or AOLDEF95.REG [Win95 users]
(also included) to RESTORE ALL Registry settings to their DEFAULTS. But FIRST
you *MUST* modify AOLMTU98.REG/AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF98.REG/AOLDEF95.REG
(using Notepad), to CUSTOMIZE ALL TCP/IP NetTrans MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU
[Win98] lines to MATCH YOUR OWN SYSTEM: *READ* the step-by-step guidelines at
paragraph #5 above to learn how to do this PROPERLY!
II. Re-register (RESTORE) the America Online "aolsock" subkey you have saved
as AOLKEY.TXT (as described at paragraph #2 above): FIRST RENAME it to
AOLKEY.REG and then (double-)click on it in Explorer or File Manager.
AOLKEY.REG is also included with these files.
III. Remark with a semicolon (;) the "COMBoostTime" line under the [386enh]
section of your SYSTEM.INI:
; COMBoostTime=1
IV. Restart Windows so all changes can take effect.

TIPS:

- Use Windows 95/98 System Monitor tool (SYSMON.EXE, located in your Windows
folder), to monitor your modem connections, as described in "DUN MONITOR -
Part 1" + "DUN MONITOR - Part 2" from MYTIPS95.TXT (included).
- For extensive details/specs on analog/digital modems, Win95/98
communications, TCP/IP, DUN and more MTU/TTL/RWIN/etc tweaking programs, check
out these reference links:
http://www.mdgx.com/modem.htm

MANDATORY UPGRADES:

You might also see modem speed improvements over the Internet by installing
these free Microsoft communications upgrades:
- ALL Windows 95/98 users: Dial-Up Networking (DUN) Upgrade 1.4:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050316085327/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285189
- ONLY Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2 users: Windows Sockets (Winsock) Upgrade 2.0:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182108

FIND OUT YOUR ISP'S MTU:

You may need to switch back to AOL's default "mtu" value of 1500 if your
connection slows down (you have to wait a while longer to access web sites or
download files), depending on your location, phone number/protocol used to
connect, or if you use a 3rd party ISP to connect to AOL that requires a MTU
value of 1500 at server end.
To determine the EXACT MTU value used by your ISP/Online Service, especially
if you connect to the Internet/AOL using an ISP other than AOL, apply one of
the following methods:
- Check out this list of known MTU values, detailed in "ISPS KNOWN MTU VALUES"
from MYTIPS95.TXT (included).
- Download and run Rob Vonk's EasyMTU 3.0 [includes FindMTU, 360 KB,
freeware]:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip
- Read "FIND YOUR ISP'S MTU" in TIPS95.TXT (included).

BTW: ... Almost forgot: [:-)] ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR FILES TO A SAFE LOCATION
BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES!
Respectively:
1. The Windows 95/98 Registry files: SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT, found in your
Windows folder. These files have the hidden and system attributes, for
write-protection purposes.
2. SYSTEM.INI, also residing in your Win9x/ME folder.
Happy surfing!
______________________________________________________________________________

AOL WEB BROWSING

Courtesy of Ojatex.

"Any AOLer should ALWAYS use their browser as a STANDALONE and NOT under the
AOL shell, which cripples AOL's internal (built-in) browser (eg. MS Internet
Explorer 3/4/5/6) in several ways. Some Java and JavaScript problems disappear
when one loads a web site using MS IE/Netscape as a standalone, outside the
AOL interface.
Many AOLers (especially newbies) don't realize that STANDALONE browsing is
possible and BETTER. It also gets rid of the annoying AOL toolbar that hogs
the screen."

FYI:
1. AOL 32-bit software 3/4/5/6/7/8/9 for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 have
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 32-bit browser built-in. I recommend to
use the free Mozilla Gecko or Firefox 32-bit browsers to access the Internet
instead, while logged on to AOL:
http://www.mdgx.com/nettoys.htm#MOZ
2. Learn how to make Netscape browsers work with AOL software:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060402224103/http://help.netscape.com/kb/consumer/1997
0331-2.html
______________________________________________________________________________
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