Is AOL Ver. 5 messing with ISP's?

[Mr Twobit]

Heard a rumor today. It seems that the new version of AOL software keeps your system from connecting with any other ISP while it is installed on the system. Anyone heard about this, or do I place it in my hoax folder????

[chipbgt]

ALways trust AOL to mess with everybit of your computer. If AOL doesnt have anything to do with it, they will find some way to mess it up. or maye its just my experience.

[Mr Twobit]

I kinda feel the same way, but on this one I need real facts. I hear there's a lawsuit pending, and since I work for an ISP.........get the pic?
Twobit

[chipbgt]

Well, I searched the net and didnt see any big commotions about this anywhere. If this were true, you coudl be sure companies would be making a big stink about it. I dont know if AOL would seriously try and jepordize itself this way. At least it doesnt seem wise.

[jad1097]

Yes there is a class action lawsuit against AOL for there software. I will find a link.

Well here is one of the stories. http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories/news/0,4153,2432995,00.html

here is the search I did. http://xlink.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/xlink/xlink/search.html?Utext=aol+lawsu it&Uch=Tech+News&db=zd (http://xlink.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/xlink/xlink/search.html?Utext=aol+lawsuit&Uch=Tech+News&db=zd)



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 03-21-2000).]

[DHatAVI]

I have both AOL(5.0) and Juno installed on my computer. I don't use AOL very often, but I installed it because thats what we use at work, and it gives me easy access to that account. I installed Juno after AOL, so I don't know if that makes a difference, but I have had no problems using Juno web.

David

[CujoRbd]

my dad uses AOL 5 (who knows why?) and i am now on freewwweb (http://www.freewwweb.com/), so i don't think this is true.

it is possible, however, that it may occur with certain computers. such as those that come pre-installed with AOL 5.

but do note that AOL (all versions) overwrite many system files and severely twist up your registry and file system.

dHatAVI-
if you are just using aol for the screen name (i.e. to chat with co-workers or whoever), then just download aol instant messenger. it doesn't screw up your puter as much and it uses ALOT less memory to run it. but if you use it for e-mail, then you're pretty well SOL.

well, i have to go and do dishes, so....


CujoRbd

[Mntsnow]

Well I can tell you it didnt mess up anything on my families computers. We still have an AOL account and use what is called "BYOA" Bring Your Own Access. As my wife and daughter love using AOL. but they still "connect" thru MY ISP (which is a local ISP) both thru Modem and DSL and NOTHING has been messed up! And YES they are using AOL 5.0.

So I say the jury is still out on this one http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mntsnow

[Mr Twobit]

Thanks for the info. I thought I was going nuts!
Client called in tonight for help with his setup. NOTHING we tried would let him connect. He could use hyperterminal and connect to AOL, but that was it! He does have a preinstall of AOL ver 5! I think we will try an uninstall!
Thanks again,.... This is the place!

[grandslammer]

Nah, we use aol (They Do!) and I use charter pipeline. Also use freewwweb, and a couple of others. So yeas Virginia, there is life beyond AOL, even if they are still there on your system...

BUT, I have read SEVERAL articles, I think one was a PC MAG, if I'm not mistaken... About the AOL 5.0 bugg. They said 4.0 was fine, but that 5.0 changed registry entries that didn't even have anything to do with connections. AND that the only way to completely remove it's influence was to re-format and reload Doze. Now, they said that 4.0 did not do this, just the last, and most evil incarnation! 5.0!

So, is having the extra 2 screen names worth all of this? Not to me, but I guess the family likes it. If it wasn't for them missing the extra two names, I'd do it while they were asleep, but that's another story better left to another time, huh?

Later..

Mike

[Dash]

I had thought that the only bug in 5.0 was that when connected to it, you couldnt connect to non-AOL email servers...

[Mntsnow]

I cry BS on that one too! My wife and daughter WHILE connected to AOL use OUTLOOK to connect to my pop3 email accounts @ mntsnow.com and they retrive it with no problems.

Mntsnow

[beller6]

Have you tried free ISP's? I have 5 loaded and no charge. I don't trust or use AOL.
I love worldspy, no banner.

[CujoRbd]

well, maybe that's the problem i am having. (forget what i said in previous post as i had to reformat. check out this (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum2/HTML/005812.html) post.

though i have 4.0 (IMO it is the same thing, just little-changed), maybe i am experiencing this prob. who knows, it could be in all (or atleast many) versions of aol that have this problem.

well, just my added thoughts on the subject...


CujoRbd

[Tex_Gex]

It has definetly whacked a couple of laptops here at work.. In fact every laptop that has had it installed I've had to rebuild..

Here is a good one for ya, Our head of international sales tells me I have to make AOL 5 work on his laptop. I ask why he says because it has new features and he wants it !!! I go grab a laptop with aol 4 and then start it up next to a laptop with 5 and say show me the difference.. He can't and mumbles some thing about my boss and his boss. What a lamer !!!!

In all fairnees the reason we don't want Aol 5 is it screws our dialup citrix setup plus our Intranet/LAN ip settings, everytime we install it we can't access our intranet.

Sorry to ramble but this guys a whiney piece of corparate dog doo...