AOL.ca - AIM 6.0

The Buddy List window lets you keep track of all your buddies, family members, and others who are signed on to the AOL Instant Messenger service. When you sign on to AIM, your Buddy List window appears. Four groups are automatically created for you in your Buddy List window: Buddies, Family, Co-Workers, and Offline. Add your buddies to any of these groups (except Offline) or create additional groups.

How do I add buddies to my Buddy List?

You can add up to 200 buddies (friends, family members, and coworkers who are AOL, CS2000, ICQ or other registered AIM users) to your Buddy List only for your primary screen name (the screen name you used to sign on). If you have linked screen names, you will have to sign off AIM, and then sign back on to AIM with the screen name to whose Buddy List you want to add a name.

To add a buddy to your Buddy List:

In the Buddy List window, click the Setup button.
Click the group folder to which you want to add your buddy.
If you want to create a new group, see Adding a Group to Your Buddy List.
Click the Add Buddy icon.
A branch appears with the default name *New Buddy*.
Type the screen name of the buddy, or the ICQ number, you want to add, and press Enter.
If your buddy is an AOL member, remember to enter just your buddy’s screen name, not your buddy’s full E-mail address. For example, johndoe, rather than johndoe@aol.com.

Why can't I see my buddies in my Buddy List, even though they are online?

You might not be able to see buddies in your Buddy List for several reasons:

Make sure that the "Online" tab in the Buddy List window is the active tab.
If the number in parentheses next to a group indicates that there are buddies online, make sure that the group is expanded. For example, if it says "Friends (5/10)" but no names are listed, then the group is not expanded. To expand the group, click the arrow on the left of the group name so that the arrow points downward.
Make sure that your buddies are not blocking you and that you are not blocking your buddies. If you block buddies or they block you, you cannot see them.
If the buddies you can't see are using AOL, then they have enabled an option that allows you to send them instant messages but doesn't let you see them on your Buddy List. This feature is only available to AOL users. Ask the AOL users to go to the Privacy Preferences in their AOL Buddy List, and choose one of the Allow or Block options that does not cause you to be blocked.

What does the yellow piece of paper next to my buddy's name mean?

It means that your buddy's Away message feature is turned on. Your buddy is still online, and when you send an instant message, you will receive an automated message, indicating your buddy's unavailability to communicate with you at that time.

What does it mean when my buddy's screen name turns gray?

When your buddy's screen name appears gray (or dim), it means that your buddy has not used the computer in a while.

What does the percentage symbol next to my buddy's name mean?

The percentage symbol shows that your buddy has been warned by another user. Users are usually sent warnings when others feel that they are sending offensive or annoying messages. See the "Warn" topic for more information.

When I minimize the Buddy List window, how can I control whether it minimizes to the task bar or just the system tray? (Windows only)

Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences. Check the “Hide taskbar button when Buddy List window is minimized” option in Buddy preferences to hide or uncheck the box to minimize to the task bar.

How do I transfer my Buddy List from one computer to another?

Windows: From the Buddy List window select My AIM -> Save Buddy List. Save your Buddy List to a file, and transfer it to your other computer by using a disk or by attaching it to an e-mail. To load the Buddy List file onto your other computer, select My AIM -> Load Buddy List.

Why don't other users see me as being idle when I am signed on to AIM but not performing any AIM activities?

If you are using any application in your computer (or just pressing a key or moving your mouse slightly), AIM does not consider you to be idle. For example, if you are using a word-processing application while you are signed on, AIM does not consider you to be idle.

Why does AIM ignore my option setting to dim buddies in my Buddy List after they've been idle for 5 minutes? Instead, AIM doesn't dim my buddies' screen names until they've been idle for at least 10 minutes.

Your buddy's Buddy List program might not be notifying the server that your buddy is idle until after 10 minutes. Each client may be different.

Why does my Buddy List window appear only in the system tray, and not the taskbar, when I minimize it? (Windows only)

My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences. Check the “Hide taskbar button when Buddy List window is minimized” option in Buddy preferences to hide or uncheck the box to minimize to the task bar.

What should I do when AIM incorrectly reports how long my buddies have been signed on?

Open your Control Panel and double-click the Date/Time icon. Check to make sure that the correct time zone, date, and time are set and that the Daylight Savings Time setting is correct.

How do I unblock a user?

To unblock the user, right-click the screen name, and click Unblock Buddy.

My Buddy List window is taking up the entire screen (seems to always be maximized)

Although the window appears to be maximized, it probably has just been sized very big instead of being actually maximized. Because it is not technically maximized, the way to fix it is different than if it were maximized. Take the following steps:

At the top-right of the window, there are three buttons. The left one is Minimize and the right one is Close. The middle one will either be Maximize or Restore. If the middle button currently displays the word "Restore" when you move the mouse over it, then click the button once. If the middle button currently displays the word "Maximize" over it, then do not click the button.
Now simply click on one of the sides or corners of the window and drag your mouse toward the center of the screen to make the window smaller. That should fix the problem.

Why can't I send an instant message to someone I've blocked in my Buddy List?

This is an intentional feature of the AIM software. If you want to send a message to a user you have blocked, remove the block.

What can I do about someone I don't know who keeps sending me messages?

If you don't want to receive messages from the user, you can:

Add the user to your Block List under the Privacy Preference.
Warn the user by clicking Warn on the Instant Message window or Chat Invitation window from the user. (See Warn topic.)

My Instant Message window is taking up the entire screen (seems to always be maximized).

At the top-right of the window, there are three buttons. The left one is Minimize and the right one is Close. The middle one will either be Maximize or Restore. If the middle button currently displays the word "Restore" when you move the mouse over it, then click the button once. If the middle button currently displays the word "Maximize" over it, then do not click the button.
Now simply click on one of the sides or corners of the window and drag your mouse toward the center of the screen to make the window smaller. That should fix the problem.

How does the "I'm Away Message" feature work?

If you need to step away from your computer but do not want to sign off, you can let AOL Instant Messenger use the Away message and the Idle message to let other users know you are temporarily not available. Or, if you have set up IM Forwarding, you can choose to have your IMs sent to your mobile device when you are away from your computer.

The Away message feature lets the service automatically respond to buddies who send you messages while you are away from your desk. You can choose a default message, such as "I’m away from my computer right now," or you can create new messages.

You can also choose to have your Instant Messages sent to a personal mobile device if you have IM Forwarding enabled.

When you are signed on to the service but have not used it in 10 minutes or more, the service changes your status to Idle and turns on your Idle message because of inactivity. The service displays your Idle message when anyone requests information about you and automatically replies with the message to anyone who sends you a message while you are in an Idle state.

How do I stop AIM from sending automatic responses to other users?

To turn an Away message on or off:

The Away message appears on your screen. If you don’t want messages that your buddies send you to display while you are away, click Hide IM windows while I’m away. To turn off instant message sounds while you are away, click Disable sounds while I’m Away. To disable pop-up notifications from appearing while you are away, click Disable pop-up notifications while I’m Away.

If you want to add a new Away message, refer to Defining a New Away Message.

If IM Forwarding has been configured and is enabled, you can choose to have no away message sent to users who send you an IM when you are away, and instead receive IMs on your mobile device. To do this, choose Forward to Mobile, from the Away message list.

How can I use AIM to chat with AOL buddies?

Right now, AOL chat rooms are only accessible by AOL members. However, AOL members can join AIM chat rooms if they have AIM running on their computer.

Why does AIM display the message, "Sorry, chat is not available at this time," when I try to enter a chat room?

Occasionally, our host system has a problem initializing chat rooms. Try entering a chat room again later.

Can I undo warnings that I've sent to users?

You can't undo a warning, but a user's warning level is not permanent and is eventually reset to zero. Warnings are also not kept on any kind of permanent record.

What can I do when a particular user keeps warning me?

Don't send any messages to that user. You can only be warned by someone if you send that user a message.

Why is a user able to warn me after I've sent the user an instant message, even though I've blocked the user?

If you send an instant message to another user and then blocked that user, the user can still warn you one or more times for messages that you've already sent. (Blocking the other user prevents both of you from seeing each other in your Buddy Lists, and it also prevents both of you from sending each other any more messages.)

How do I keep from being warned when I set myself as Away? (Windows only)

Go into Away Message in Edit Preferences, and choose the "Insert in personal profile only" option. This will let other users see your Away message by doing a Get Info on you, but your Away message will not be sent out when other users IM you.

Why does my buddy's warning level appear differently in the Instant Message window than in the Buddy List window?

Warning levels shown in the Buddy List window are updated frequently, but when you have an Instant Message window open with another user, the warning level shown in that Instant Message window is only updated when the other user sends you more text.

Why don't my AIM sounds work?

You might need to check your sound settings.

Windows: Select My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences. Click Buddy List in the Category group, and go to the Sounds tab at the bottom. Make sure that there is a sound file associated with each event and that the sound events are all enabled. If no sound file is listed for one of the events, click Browse, and choose a sound in the Sounds directory in your AIM directory. If a sound file is already chosen for an event, click Browse, and select the sound file again from the Sounds directory inside the AIM directory.

If a sound file is listed but you don't get any sound when you click Preview, it is possible that the sound file is damaged. If checking your sound settings doesn't fix the problem, try reinstalling AIM as a last resort. If you don't have a sound card, choose the Beep option to allow AIM to use your PC internal speaker.

How do I add my own sounds to AIM?

Windows: On the My AIM menu, point to Edit Options and then click Edit Preferences. Click Buddy List in the Category group, and go to the Sounds tab at the bottom. You can browse your computer for .wav (sound) files and replace AIM sounds.

I am not able to establish a Talk connection with my buddy.

Make sure that neither you nor your buddy is using any other audio software.(Windows Only)
Try enabling or disabling the "Use alternate Internet Address option in the Talk preferences window. (Windows only)
Talk connections will not work if one buddy is behind a firewall (a security measure used by offices, schools, etc.) and the other buddy is not behind the same firewall.
Make sure that both users have the latest version of AIM.

I am having trouble hearing my buddy.

Make sure that neither you nor your buddy is simultaneously using any other audio software.
Make sure that your system audio output levels are high enough:
Windows:
• While in a Talk session with a buddy, move the Volume slider under the buddy's screen name all the way to the right.
• Raise your system's Master Volume and Wave Output levels, using the Windows Volume Control window.
• There are several ways to get to the Volume Control window:
• Once you are in the Volume Control window, make sure that the Master Volume and Wave Output sliders are all the way to the top, and that the Mute checkboxes under those sliders are not checked.
• Try increasing the volume control on your actual speakers.
• Make sure that you can easily hear audio in all of your other applications. If you can hear it in your other applications, then you should be able to hear it in AIM.

Other users are having trouble hearing me.

Make sure that neither you nor your buddy is simultaneously using any other audio software.
Make sure that your microphone input level is high enough:
Windows:
• While in a Talk session with a buddy, move the Volume slider under your screen name all the way to the right.
• Raise your system's Microphone level, using the Windows Volume Control window.
• There are several ways to get to the Volume Control window:
• Once you are in the Volume Control window:
*Note: You must adjust the Microphone level while in the "Recording Control" mode of the Volume Control window. Adjusting it in the Playback Control mode will not work.
If other users still cannot hear you, there is an easy way to find out if the problem lies with AIM, rather than a configuration problem with your system:

When I speak, I hear my own voice echoed back.

This is very likely caused by your buddy listening to you with normal speakers, instead of headphones. When your voice comes out of your buddy's speakers, it goes back into your buddy's microphone, and you hear it a second later. The solution is for your buddy to use headphones and turn off the normal speakers.

Experiencing problems exiting from the AOL Instant Messenger client?

If you are not able to exit from the AOL Instant Messenger client, it may be due to a damaged AIM file. There is an easy solution:

Download the new installer here.
Once the download is complete, launch the downloaded file. When the installer has finished, the problem should go away.

If you are not able to exit out of AIM in order to finish the installation, take the following steps:

Go into General preferences in AIM. You can either click on the Setup button on the Sign On screen, or, from the Buddy List window, you can choose: My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences.
In the Sign On/Off category, make sure that the "Start AIM when Windows starts" option is not checked.
Click on OK.
Restart your computer. When it restarts, AIM should not be running. At this point, you can run the new AIM installer.

After installing MSN Instant Messenger, AIM no longer starts up automatically when I turn on my computer. What is causing this? (Windows Only)

The Microsoft Network (MSN) Instant Messenger installer has turned off your AIM option to start automatically when you turn on your computer. To turn this feature back on, go into General preferences in AIM and enable the Start AIM when Windows Starts option.