AOL Installation Guide: Upgrading Your AOL Software

 

This installation guide has three parts:

·         Installing the AOL 9.0 Optimized Software

·         Removing Older Versions of the AOL Software

·        Freeing Up Disk Space for Your AOL 9.0 Optimized Software

 

Installing the AOL 9.0 Optimized Software

 

Follow these steps to install the AOLÒ 9.0 Optimized software and copy your existing settings (such as your Screen Names, Filing Cabinet, Favourite Places, software settings and AOL downloads) from an earlier version of AOL.

 

Important: Before you start the upgrade process, it is strongly recommended that you exit all other programs that may be running, including shareware and freeware. Otherwise, you may not be able to install the AOL 9.0 Optimized software or AOL may not be able to detect your connection devices (e.g., modem).

 

To upgrade to the AOL 9.0 Optimized software:

  1. Click the "Upgrade Now" button at AOL Keyword: Upgrade. AOL Setup will download AOL 9.0 Optimized and begin the installation process.
  2. Click Current Member.
  3. Start the AOL Setup program. This will happen automatically if you are downloading the software from AOL Keyword: Upgrade.
  4. Click Upgrading to a new version of AOL on this computer, and then click Next.
  5. Setup will locate the most recently used version of the AOL software
    • To copy settings from this version, click Next.
    • To copy settings from a different version, click Search for additional versions of the AOL software, and then click Next.
    • Click Next to install AOL in the standard location (e.g., C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0). The installation process will start.

 

If the AOL 9.0 Optimized Setup program does not start automatically after the download is finished, or if you need to find the AOL 9.0 Setup program, follow these steps:

 

On Windows 98 or Windows ME

1.       On your desktop, find the icon called “My Computer”, double-click o open it.

2.       Double-click on your local hard drive (usually named “>c:\”)

3.       Look for a folder named “AOL Downloads”, double-click to open it.

4.       Now look for a folder named “aolsetup90”, double-click to open it.      

5.       Double-click setup90.exe to start the AOL 9.0 Optimized Setup program.

 

On Windows 2000 or Windows XP

1.       On your desktop, find the icon called “My Computer”; double-click to open it.

2.       Double-click on your local hard drive (usually named ">c:\<").

3.       Look for a folder named “Documents and Settings”; double-click to open it.   

4.       Look for a folder named “All Users”; double-click to open it.   

5.       Look for a folder named “Documents>Shared Documents”; double-click to open it.

6.       Look for a folder called “AOL Downloads”; double-click to open it.

7.       Now look for a folder named “aolsetup90”, double-click to open it.

8.      Double-click setup90.exe to start the AOL 9.0 Optimized Setup program.

 

Uninstalling Older Versions of the AOLÒ Software

 

Once you upgrade to a newer version of AOL on your computer, it’s a good idea to uninstall the older versions you are no longer using so that more disk space is made available on your computer’s hard drive. This will help to keep your computer performing at an optimal level in terms of speed and processing.

 

Important: You should start your new AOL 9.0 Optimized software, sign on to the AOL service, and confirm that the software is working as expected before you remove your older AOL software. This means checking that your Address Book, Buddy List, Favourite Places and Filing Cabinet are all intact and have “moved up to” this latest version of the software.

 

To remove older versions of the AOL software:

 1.       Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (Windows XP users, click Start, and then click Control Panel.)

2.       Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3.       Select AOL in the list of installed software, and then click Add/Remove. The AOL Uninstall program will start and search for versions of the AOL software on your computer.

4.       On the Uninstall AOL window, click each version of the AOL software you wish to remove. Be sure to indicate which files you would like to keep as back-up such as Downloaded Files, Filing Cabinet files, etc… If you wish to delete them as well, then unselect them by removing the check marks in the boxes next to these options. After you make your selections, click “Next”. The versions you chose will be removed.

5.       Click Finish.

6.      Click OK to close the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel.

 

 

Freeing Up Disk Space

 

If you are running out of room on your hard drive, you may need to free up some additional space before you can install the AOL 9.0 Optimized software. Microsoft Windows comes with a program called “Disk Cleanup” that is designed to help you free up space on your hard drive by removing files that you can safely delete.

 

To start Disk Cleanup:

·         Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

 

You can also get additional space by removing programs that you no longer use.

 

1.       Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2.       Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3.      Select a program from the list of installed software, and then click Add/Remove.

 

Quick Tips

 

Download Tip

 

·         The time it takes to download AOL 9.0 Optimized varies depending on several factors, including your modem speed and system configuration. If you are using a standard dial-up modem, you may want to start downloading the AOL 9.0 Optimized software right before you go to bed to avoid tying up your phone line. AOL will then finish downloading the new software, hang up the phone, and begin the installation process.

·         If your download is interrupted for any reason, simply sign back on, return to AOL Keyword: Upgrade, and click Start Your Free Upgrade Now! Your download will resume where it was interrupted.

 

 

Default Software Tips

 

After installing AOL, you will be asked about certain settings.

 

·         If you use only the AOL software to visit the Internet, send e-mail, and use newsgroups, choosing to make AOL your preferred application for Web, e-mail and newsgroups will save you time.

·         If you make AOL your preferred CD player, the AOL Media Player will start any time you insert an audio CD into the CD ROM drive on your computer.

·         You can always set these preferences at a later time. Go to AOL Keyword: Internet Help for more information.

 

Firewall Tips

 

·         If you have firewall software installed on your computer, it may provide you with alerts about certain AOL features, such as AOL TopSpeedÔtechnology, and AOL Dialer. Your firewall might list them for you as: waol.exe, aolwbspd.exe, and acsd.exe.

·         To optimize your online experience, we encourage you to allow these applications through your firewall. If you don't, you may encounter problems with AOL. Please refer to your firewall's documentation for the correct way to allow the AOL applications access through your firewall.

·        If you do not have a firewall, or to learn more about what AOL is doing to help safeguard your PC, visit AOL Keyword: Safety.