AOL connection problems for a newbie
Discussion
Ok, I have zero computer skills and I am getting a bit pee'ed off.
I have AOL (yeah I know but I have had it a long time and email addresses are needed)and run Windows XP. There are technical issues with running AOL and Windows Xp and I am told I need to upload a XPS patch to fix the problem.
Whilst online, I get an error message saying that 'A network cable is unplugged' Now I am not on a network at all. Once I get this message it then turns into a lost connection message and the green Upstream/Downstream arrows turn yellow and everything freezes.
If I try to deal with AOL they just say its a computer error and offer no help at all.
Can someone let me know if it is something I can easily sort out.
Cheers
Kev
They are saying its a BT problem with the line. They assume that there is a problem with the physical connection. BT have checked twice now and report all clear.
It has started happening since my PC did an automatic Windows update. For some reason I have 2 Local area connections. One of which is disabled and the other is reporting Limited or no connectivity.
I thought LAN connections were only necessary if you have your PC as part of a network?
K
Hmmm, I'l put £5 on BT. Did they check properly by sending someone out or just use ESP from bangalore?
TBH you're stuck between a rock and a hard place here, both AOL and BT are world masters at the fob-off. Best thing to do is probably get a friend's PC or laptop set up there, try different combinations of your combined equipment to see if you have any joy. If you can get some other equipment to be stable on your line, its probably either the modem or something weird with the PC and if not its the BT line. For the line, try it with everything else unplugged from the wall and move the PC to connect it directly to the first socket as the line comes into the house. If that still doesnt work explain to them that you've tried different equipment on the line with the same result... Take the fob-offs with good humour, roll with the punches and eventually someone will take pity on you and send a bloke out, who will miss the first four appointments that you wait in all day for, not ring you on your mobile no matter how many times you give bangalore the number and then fix it in seven seconds on the fifth visit. They will try to break you, but you must be strong. Good luck.
Edit: Just a thought, does it say anything on the USB modem, and are there any lights on it/what do they do in terms of flashing/colours?
>> Edited by aldi on Sunday 12th March 22:53
TBH you're stuck between a rock and a hard place here, both AOL and BT are world masters at the fob-off. Best thing to do is probably get a friend's PC or laptop set up there, try different combinations of your combined equipment to see if you have any joy. If you can get some other equipment to be stable on your line, its probably either the modem or something weird with the PC and if not its the BT line. For the line, try it with everything else unplugged from the wall and move the PC to connect it directly to the first socket as the line comes into the house. If that still doesnt work explain to them that you've tried different equipment on the line with the same result... Take the fob-offs with good humour, roll with the punches and eventually someone will take pity on you and send a bloke out, who will miss the first four appointments that you wait in all day for, not ring you on your mobile no matter how many times you give bangalore the number and then fix it in seven seconds on the fifth visit. They will try to break you, but you must be strong. Good luck.
Edit: Just a thought, does it say anything on the USB modem, and are there any lights on it/what do they do in terms of flashing/colours?
>> Edited by aldi on Sunday 12th March 22:53
If you have XP SP2 installed you need to download the patch. Just type "xpsp2" into the AOL browser, hit return and click to install it. (It will tell you if it has already been installed before)
If you have the BT Voyager 105 modem you can try and install the drivers again from the AOL disc you got with it, choosing the option to remove previous versions of drivers.
When that is done go to add/remove programs select "AOL connectivity services" > "change remove" > "repair AOL connectivity services", a black window with a load of garbage comes up, when it has finished try to log on again and follow prompts.
Disclaimer: I know less about computers than most that post on here but it worked for me.
If you have the BT Voyager 105 modem you can try and install the drivers again from the AOL disc you got with it, choosing the option to remove previous versions of drivers.
When that is done go to add/remove programs select "AOL connectivity services" > "change remove" > "repair AOL connectivity services", a black window with a load of garbage comes up, when it has finished try to log on again and follow prompts.
Disclaimer: I know less about computers than most that post on here but it worked for me.
Ribol,
Ahh the old patch..I have done this a couple of times now. The problem seems to be the XP SP" software and the AOL package. Both companies know there is an issue with connectivity but I think the patch sometimes fails to work.
Iw as told that the new version of AOL will fix the problem but they couldnt tell me when this would be available.
I will try the download again.
Cheers
Kev
Ahh the old patch..I have done this a couple of times now. The problem seems to be the XP SP" software and the AOL package. Both companies know there is an issue with connectivity but I think the patch sometimes fails to work.
Iw as told that the new version of AOL will fix the problem but they couldnt tell me when this would be available.
I will try the download again.
Cheers
Kev
evolutionvalet said:
I have done this a couple of times now.
If you do it as I posted above it will either say the patch is already installed or it asks you do you want to install it. If it does anything else something else is wrong.
I and millions of others have AOL9.0 with SP2 working fine with the patch, waiting for the new software is a fob off.
No offence to anyone from India but if you are getting the tech support from there you won't get anywhere with it. The only tech support people worth talking to are the ones in Ireland, which is level 2 support.
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