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Starting Out
What do I need to get started? All you need is the AOL Instant Messenger™ (AIM) software and a computer with a connection to the Internet. AOL Instant Messenger™ runs on your existing Internet connection, so when you connect to the Internet (in your usual way), you can use AIM the same way you use any other Internet program — by double-clicking the program icon. At home, you probably connect to the Internet by dialing into your Internet Service Provider (ISP). At the office or school, your computer probably connects to a Local Area Network (LAN).You can get by with less, but we recommend you have at least:
How much does AOL Instant Messenger™ cost to use? The AOL Instant Messenger™ service is free. However, you are still responsible for your connection to the Internet (e.g. via an ISP) as well as any associated telephone charges.Do I need to register to use AIM? You need a screen name to use AIM, but you may already have one reserved. If you have a screen name at any of the following, you can use the same name with AIM: AOL, CompuServe 2000, My News, or the Personal Finance Channel on AOL.CA.Can I convert my AIM account to an AOL account? Yes. While you are registering your AOL account, make sure you select the following option to convert your AIM account to an AOL account: You are an AOL Instant Messenger user and you want to create an AOL account. At this time there is not a way to add an AIM screen name as an additional screen name on your AOL account.How can I tell my friends about AOL Instant Messenger? You can participate in our "Sign on a Friend" program, which automatically sends letters to your friends with detailed information about how to get and set up AIM.To invite a friend to sign on with AIM, select the People menu on the Buddy List menu, click Sign on a Friend, and follow screen instructions. What is registration, and how do I register? Registration is the process in which you select a screen name and password to be able to use the AOL Instant Messenger™ service. Your screen name must be unique, containing between 3 and 16 characters (numbers and letters). You can't use the service without first registering.To register click here. How do I confirm my registration after I've registered? After you register, AIM sends you e-mail, allowing you to confirm your registration request. You must respond to this e-mail within 48 hours to complete your registration. (The confirmation e-mail provides instructions on how to respond.) If you forget to respond within 48 hours, or if you lose the confirmation e-mail, AIM can send you the confirmation e-mail again. Select Sign On A Friend in the People menu, and click Send Me Confirmation Mail in the window that appears.If you have never received a confirmation e-mail, it is possible that you mistyped your e-mail address when you registered for AIM. You can use the Update E-mail Address option to check your current e-mail address setting and to change that address (which takes 72 hours). Windows: Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Update E-mail Address. What if I accidentally typed the wrong e-mail address during registration? You can easily update your e-mail address while signed on to AIM.Windows: Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Update E-mail Address. Enter your correct e-mail address in the New e-mail address field, and click OK. Why am I having problems registering? There are several things to check for when you are experiencing problems registering:Have you typed your e-mail address correctly in the proper format (for example, joeuser@domain.com)? If you are an AOL Canada member, be sure that you entered the postal code listed in your AOL Canada account information. Did you choose a password and enter it twice correctly? Did you choose a screen name that isn't already in use? What can I do if the screen name I want is already taken? If the screen name you want is already taken, try variations of that name, or select another. You can use up to 16 letters, numbers, and spaces for your screen name. For example, if the screen name you want is "Hearty", try using "Heart101," "NYC Heart," etc.How do I use multiple screen names with my existing copy of AIM? All you need to do to add the new screen name to your list is sign on with it. To do this:
How can I change my screen name? If you don't like your current screen name, you can either change the formatting (capitalization and spacing) of your screen name, or you can register a new one.To format your screen name on Windows, Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Format Screen Name. Can I delete one of my old AIM screen names? No, you cannot delete old AIM screen names at this time. However, you can prevent other users from finding one of your screen names by performing the following steps:Windows: Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences. After the window appears, click the Privacy (on the left), and check Nothing about me. You can also go into the Profile wizard (File menu on Windows), and remove any information from your profile that would lead other users to find your screen name. How do I remove screen names from the Sign On screen? Windows: Select the screen name on the Sign On screen, and press the Delete key. If the screen name is still not deleted, upgrade to the latest version of AIM. Windows: Highlight the screen name on the Sign On screen, and press the Delete key. If the screen name is still not deleted, upgrade to the latest version of AIM. The highlighted screen name contains invalid characters. After you click OK to delete the error message, AIM highlights the invalid screen name. Delete or edit the screen name, and click the Online tab. Yes, installing a new copy of AIM on the same computer will retain the Buddy List and preferences for all of your screen names that you have been using on that computer.What versions of AOL Instant Messenger™ are available? The latest version is available for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP computers. There is also a Java version called "AIM Express", that allows you to send your buddies instant messages when you are not at a computer that has AIM installed. Click here for information about AIM Express.What do I do after I've downloaded the software? After downloading the Instant Messenger software, you must install it on your computer. To install the software, locate the downloaded file on your computer, and double-click it. The installer will guide you through the installation process. After the installation is complete, type your new screen name over the current screen name that is displayed in the Screen Name field on the Sign On window. This can have one of two causes:
To obtain the 32-bit version of AOL, sign on to AOL and go to Keyword: UPGRADE. It is a free download (not including any telephone company charges). To find out whether you have the 16-bit or 32-bit version of AOL, select About AOL Canada from the Help menu. On the screen that appears, you see either "for Windows" or "for Windows 95/98." If it has just "for Windows," then you have the 16-bit version of AOL. The problem also occurs if your AOL screen name is designated as a Child, Young Teen, or Mature Teen. With these types of AOL screen names, you are not able to use any Internet software through your AOL connection. To change the status of an AOL screen name, you must sign on with the master screen name, and go to Keyword: ParentalControls. Double-click the AOL Instant Messenger icon on your desktop to start the program. The Sign On window appears on your screen.If you have already registered a screen name and password, highlight New User in the Screen Name field, type your screen name and password, and click Sign On. If you have not registered a screen name and password, select New User, and click Sign On to register. This occurs if you are using the 16-bit version of AOL to get online, which is intended for use in the Windows 3.1 operating system. All recent versions of AIM are 32-bit applications. In order to use a 32-bit Internet application such as AIM, you must have a 32-bit Internet connection as well.To obtain the 32-bit version of AOL, sign on to AOL and go to Keyword: Upgrade. It is a free download (not including any telephone company charges). To find out whether you have the 16- or 32-bit version of AOL, select About AOL Canada from the Help menu. A screen appears, showing either "for Windows" or "for Windows 95/98." If it shows only "for Windows," then you have the 16-bit version of AOL. The problem also occurs if your AOL screen name is designated as a Child, Young Teen, or Mature Teen. With these types of AOL screen names, you are not able to use any Internet software through your AOL connection. To change the status of an AOL screen name, you must sign on with the master screen name, and go to Keyword: ParentalControls. Note: The AOL Instant Messenger™ service is intended for persons over 18 years of age. This can have one of three causes:
Why am I unable to sign on to AIM using my AOL modem connection? This occurs if your AOL screen name is designated as a Child, Young Teen, or Mature Teen. With these types of AOL screen names, you won't be able to use any Internet software through your AOL connection. To change the status of an AOL screen name, you must sign on with the master screen name and go to Keyword: ParentalControls. This is probably just a temporary communication problem between your modem and your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your ISP is able to keep its connection, but AIM gets disconnected. (In many cases, you won't see noticeable symptoms in your other Internet applications, such as your Web browser, but AIM requires a constant uninterrupted connection.)You should sign on to AIM again. If you are frequently disconnected, it may help to change the access number you use to connect to your ISP. Ask your system administrator to update login.oscar.aol.com on the LAN's DNS table. Also, ask the administrator to make sure that Port 5190 is open for outbound TCP connections. (Other ports can also be used. If your administrator decides on a different port, then you can specify it in Connection preferences.)How do I stop AIM from starting automatically when I start my computer? Windows: Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences. Click the Sign On|Off Option, and uncheck Start AIM when Windows starts.Why does my AIM application crash when I sign off or sometimes when Windows starts? (Windows only) To fix this problem, download the latest version of AIM.How can I troubleshoot my connection problems? The following can help you to troubleshoot your connection problems:
How do I stop AIM from keeping my Internet connection active? You must modify a registry key using the Windows Registry Editor program.WARNING: You can cause Windows to stop functioning if you make a mistake in the Registry Editor program. If you need assistance, find someone who is familiar with the program to help you. AOL cannot be responsible for any damage you do to your computer. To modify the registry key, follow these steps:
What should I do if I have forgotten my password? When you enter an invalid password to sign on, AIM displays an error message, asking you if you forgot your password. In the error message window, click Forgot Password. After your browser opens to the Forgot Password Web Site, enter your screen name, and click Submit.Your password will be sent to the most current e-mail address we have on record for your screen name. If you have changed your e-mail address and did not notify the AIM system of that update, then your password will still be sent to your old e-mail address. If this occurs and you are no longer able to access e-mail at your old address, then there is no way for us to inform you of your AIM password. In this case, you must register another screen name by choosing Also, if your AIM screen name is the same as your AOL screen name, then you can sign onto AOL with that screen name and go to Keyword: AIM PASSWORD.
Can you reset my password if I forget it? Can I change my password once I'm signed onto AIM? Windows: Click My AIM -> Edit Options -> Change Password.
Why isn't my password working? Also, if you share a screen name on both AIM and AOL, changing the password on AOL does not change it on AIM, and vice-versa.
You can have your password sent to your e-mail address by submitting your screen name at the following Web page: http://www.aol.ca/aim/aim55/support/password.adp
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