AOL takes over PC's Windows XP ??

[tposts]

AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I have been having problems on my computer IE: unable to access Yahoo mail/Yahoo groups/checking accounts/ordering stuff on line.It can't be done. I cannot use Internet Explorer/Firefox/Netscape. I cannot use the Walmart internet provider, I can view Ebay but I cannot log onto my E Bay account. My mothers has AOL on here PC and I had been stopping at her place and logging on to check my mail and her PC is starting to show the same symptons of mine. These events did not happen all at once,but slowly. Early on when this problem started we could access our yahoo email by logging into yahoo groups and eventually that quit working.
I was doing some random searches on the internet and found some other AOL users had had similar problems.Anyone here ever heard of this happening ? I have ran virus scans/addware scans and nothing shows up.
Thank goodness I can still log onto TBN !!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DannyD]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

AOL should stand for trouble if you want to do anything else online besides what they have planned for you. Dump it! If you have highspeed with them, you can have it with anyone that provides it, your cable or phone company for instance. Then you can use the browser that you want. I use Avant, like it, and no problems. I do not use any commercial providers besides my cable company. Go thru my own router for a firewall and no hacking as of yet. I run seagate personal firewall also to let me know of redirects etc.

 

[nobull1]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

Check tools/internet options/security/restricted sites/ Then see if there is any listed.

 

[midlf]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

NoBull1 - great website you have. The owner/estimator/operator statement sure gets the point across.

 

[nobull1]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

Thanks very much. Over the years of having work done for myself I always liked it best when you were always talking to the boss. This way nothing get misinterpreted and you can make changes on the go without waiting for permission.

 

[tawilson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I've never used AOL but recently my daughter wanted to start using AIM, so I let her go ahead. Of course it requires the whole AOL setup, and it sure does take over. When she's done chatting, I close the AIM software from the toolbar, then I go to taskmanager and stop the two AOL/AIM processes that are going there. Both of those are memory hogs. The one thing I haven't figured out yet is how to get the Internet Explorer search function to go back to Microsofts' search instead of using the crappy AOL search engine. I can't find anywhere in Options where to reset it. AOL sucks.

 

[nobull1]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I don't have AOl so I am just taking a guess. If I want to change the search engine on my toolbar I just open it . After you open you just click customize and pick just one search engine, than pick msn. As I said don't have AOL so who knows.

 

[RoyJackson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I had AOL for a short time a few years back. It did try to re-associate many of my applications (change the software that opens some applications).
AOL is also a real PITA if you close your account...definitely watch the charges on your credit card used to open the AOL account (even if it's a "free" demo period)!

I suggest you uninstall it, completely, then reboot. See if you can open the apps you cannot now. Then you'll know for sure if AOL is the culprit.
Now, when I say AOL, I mean the installation may be installing a firewall and anti-virus software as well. That is what is probably causing your problems.
You may be able to disable these features in AOL. Look in the help files.

 

[tawilson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

Excellent suggestion and one I didn't think of cause I don't have the standard buttons showing and don't use the search window. I just type the word or phrase into the address bar and let the "search for" option come up. After exploring your suggestion, I see I can change the address bar and standard search engines on the computer that hasn't been taken over by AOL, but not on the other. I'll play with it, there's got to be a way to get around it. Thanks, I'm smarter now, anyways. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[tawilson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

Correction. It took a restart of the computer to take the settings to work on the AOL infested computer. On the other all I had to do was close the browser and open it again. Thank you.

 

[MotorSeven]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I have to second(or third) the "get rid of AOL advise. Anytime i have have had trouble similar to yours i discovered that my 15 year old daughted had downloaded AIM. She now has a standing rule....nothing loaded that has anything to do with AOL or AIM.
It's true, AOL does seem to take over and control alot of systems. Wait......what's that....i hear a stran........

PLEASE IMMEDIATLY RE-INSTALL AOL........AAAHHHHUUUMMMM!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
RD

 

[tawilson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I got ticked and sent AOL a piece of my mind email. Things'll change now.

 

[thcri]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've never used AOL but recently my daughter wanted to start using AIM, so I let her go ahead. Of course it requires the whole AOL setup, and it sure does take over. When she's done chatting, I close the AIM software from the toolbar, then I go to taskmanager and stop the two AOL/AIM processes that are going there. )</font>


I put AIM on my computer and I don't think I have the whole AOL installed?? I just have AIM. I load task bar then exit AIM and the programs drop out from task manager. So I am not sure what you have here. Your not talking about AOL chat you have to have the whole thing?

murph

 

[Jstpssng]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I made the mistake of signing up for "Free AOL" about 3 years ago; halfway through the process I aborted after discovering that it would be a toll call from anywhere I live or work; Me, NH, Vt, upstate NY...(Despte claims of "free access in 98% of the US")

Ever since then I get a "file not found" popup message EVERY time I boot up my computer; because it is proprietory info in my setup menu I've been unable to delete it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[MotorSeven]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

uh oh...."They" will be after you now....BEWARE! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif



RD

 

[TresCrows]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

As a long time AOL user--until a few weeks ago--I can assure you there is no such thing with AOL as a little bit of AOL. Once it gets a foot hold it begins to take over and reassociate everything. Sometimes it asks at first and if you say no it just does it anyways. AOL is a virus. Once you fianlly get it off the computer, never ever go back to an AOL site like my wife did because it auto loaded junk back onto the computer. I told her not to and she did anyways. Now, I think I have both units mostly free of AOL. Unless you want to be an AOL customer never ever load or visit any AOL stuff onto your computer. It will screw it over big time.
Their anti-spy programs are nothing, they are just gizzmos that go around and around but don't actually do anything, same for much of their stuff, it is just flash. J

 

[tawilson]

Re: AOL takes over PC\'s Windows XP ??

I let her install it, so probably she installed some things she didn't need to. Perhaps they do the old express/custom setup where express installs everything under the sun and custom lets you chose. I know I've tried to get rid of it without getting rid of AIM and haven't figured it out yet. And even after exiting AIM, there are still two processes running in taskmanager, one starts with the letters aim, and the other aol. I'll dig around some more in the programs, maybe somewehere in the preferences I can control. I use Startup Monitor, and use msconfig to control what starts with the computer, these appear after she opens up AIM.