Modems .....

[Hrant]

Well we have quite a few tech gurus in the list so I might as well ask .........

It appears that my cable modem (RCA Broadband) is failing after 4 months of use

Now when I called ATT Broadband, they gave me this song and dance that my AOL 6.0 software (supposedly true with 7.0 too)is so powerful and therefore it is oveririding the software of the Broadband and my solution was to either go back to AOL 5.0 or unisntall AOL since I did not need two ISP providers ........ talk about how the competition knocks each other down as the guilty part ........ and have you noticed that AOL has never advertised cable connection but they always promote DSL .....!

After a few pointed requests for a diagnostics, it now appears that the modem might be the problem ...... and I have to wait a few days for the service gut to showup ..... should I request a particular brand/model of a modem?

And just curious, I know AOL is slow, etc., but has anyone heard about AOL overpowering other software to the point it makes them non-functional? The major reason why I have AOL is because of the parental screens which seem to be superior to most other ISP ........ I often switch to attbi when I need to access the net more quickly ..... oh well. Now that is down too ..... back to regular dial up service ........

Thanks.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

"Steve Gibson, CEO of Gibson Research Corp. http://www.grc.com , a software development and consulting firm, noted that the new program is a whopping 28-megabyte download. One reason for the bulk is the slew of Windows networking adapters and protocols that the AOL client installs on every PC.
"If you install AOL 6, basically you're handing over your whole machine's networking configuration to them, and they're just overwriting your entire network with their cookie-cutter [approach]: 'This is what we're going to do to your computer. Bend over,'" said Gibson."

 

[NSXLNT]

I just cancelled my AOL account in favor of OptimumOnline from Cablevision. I had AOL6 and used both concurrently for about a month, with no apparant problems. This modem is a Motorola Surfboard, which is working quite nicely. I'm still getting used to the differences between AOL & OptimumOnline, but am very happy with the new service. It feels as if I've gotten a "monkey off my back", as the saying goes.
Re:AOL Parental controls:I had a children's account set for my son to use whenever he came over, and frequently I would empty out the mailbox. Let's just say that the controls weren't working..

 

[Lud]

FACT: The latest version of AOL will ABSOLUTELY over-write other legitimate modem and network drivers, often causing other programs which rely on them to fail.

OPINION: It is not because AOL is "too powerful," it's because they are arrogant jackasses who think it's OK to go around overwriting the other files on your system with their proprietary versions and not even tell you.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

You can remove AOL through the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel, but to remove All the changes made to your registry by the AOL software you'll need to also uninstall and reinstall Dial Up Networking and any remaining AOL adapters.

To uninstall AOL: click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel, when the Control Panel window opens double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon, locate and click on AOL then click the Add/Remove button, when it's finished removing it click OK to close the window and allow the computer to restart.

To remove AOL adapters: click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel, when the Control Panel window opens double-click on the Network icon and remove any AOL adapters, when it's finished removing it click OK to close the window and allow the computer to restart.

To uninstall Dial Up Networking: click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel, when the Control Panel window opens double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon, click the Windows Setup tab(up at the top) then double-click 'Communications' and remove the checkmark next to DialUp Networking, when it's finished removing it click OK to close the window and allow the computer to restart.

To reinstall Dial Up Networking: click the Start button then Settings then Control Panel, when the Control Panel window opens double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon, click the Windows Setup tab(up at the top) then double-click 'Communications' and click to put a checkmark next to DialUp Networking, click OK to close the window and allow the computer to restart.

P.S. Remember to jot down your AOL username and password before uninstalling AOL, you may need it later to access your email through www.aol.com or for billing purposes.

 

[Hrant]

Thanks guys, real good info ...... I must have touched a nerve!

Major Stoner your step by step is very helpful especially the network and dial up selections ....... I would not have figured that one unless I was forced to go and reset or do repair work (I am on Windows XP and boy is this a maze to go through).

Yes, I have been debating for a while to drop AOL, but there is always that but ....... I have been with them for 6 years through their and my growing pains .... LOL!

Given that 6.0 and higher versions keep the e-mail addresses at AOL and unlike earlier versions on one's computer, is there a way to get those transfered to another ISP like attbi or if I get a domain name to my domain name address? Saving the organizer files will not do it.

And wouldn't you know it, my cable modem is working this morning ........... I will still have it tested!!!!

[This message has been edited by Hrant (edited 04 May 2002).]

 

[MAJOR STONER]

I don't know much about AOL, I don't use it. If it stores info via http, there must be some way to extract the info. Try search for "aol email url extract" and see what ultilities that gives you, you should come accross a site that has some sort of tools. I don't think you are alone.

 

[lemansnsx]

Sorry for jumping in late on this one. Yes, you definitely struck a nerve here. Recent (after 6.0) versions of AOHell definitely overstep their bounds by a considerable margin. On a relative's pc (who was in the process of switching from AOHell to RoadRunner and wanted both temporarily) the cable modem could NOT be made to work while AOL was installed. Uninstalling AOL allowed the cable modem to operate perfectly. Installing AOL over the working cable network configuration sent everything down the tubes - completely overwriting and disrupting network drivers and protocol settings that were fine just the way they were, thank you very much. I probably played around with this for about 12 hours over several days even trying different network adapters and I'm an expert - G-d help them if they had relied on RR's tech support or waiting for someone to come out and mess it up more. Nice work, AOL.

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Andrew Henderson
The NSX Model List Page

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