AXCEL216's MAX Speeed AOL 32-bit for Windows 95/98/ME ©Tweaks + Speed-Ups These topics refer to ALL America Online (AOL) 32-bit client releases for Windows 95/98/ME, unless specified otherwise! My AOL ©tweaks are also available at: http://members.aol.com/axcel216/aol.htm WARNING: FIRST BACKUP ALL YOUR HARD DRIVES TO A SAFE LOCATION BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE ANY SYSTEM CHANGES! Take EXTREME CAUTION when modifying your System settings! Faulty changes may result in computer crashes/lockups/permanent data loss, or might lead to having you REINSTALL the ENTIRE Operating System(s)! YOU are the ONLY one responsible for ANY changes YOU make! ALWAYS HAVE YOUR MOST RECENT SYSTEM BACKUP READY! BEWARE: These ©tricks have been tried by others (and most by me), but with NO guarantee they will also work for YOU! CREDITS: Some of the following tips I stumbled upon while browsing the Internet, some have been kindly sent by concerned readers (all authors/contributors are acknowledged and reliable sources given proper credit), and some I discovered myself. Enjoy the ride! NOTE: Contributed tips (clearly marked) posted here do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the author of these files. Please send me your comments, corrections, tips at: axcel216@aol.com MUST HAVE from SOFTWARE.TXT (included): - FREE WINDOWS 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP AOL 32-bit POWER TOYS: http://members.aol.com/axcel216/aoltoy.htm AOLTIPS.TXT Contents: [New "©tweaks" added at the TOP] AOL.EXE SWITCHES AOL ANTI-IDLE! KILL AOL 4.0 [UPDATED 10-16-2001] OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL OPEN URL WITH AOL AOL PROXY SERVER AOL PERSONAL FILE CABINET AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX AOL 56K MODEM "PLAGUE" 10 EXTRA MEGABYTES AOL THROUGH TCP/IP (My ©trick) AOL INSTANT MESSAGES ON/OFF AOL MAXMTU REVISITED (My ©trick) [UPDATED 1-27-1999] AOL WEB BROWSING BACKUP WITH SCANREG -> TIPS98.TXT FASTEST INTERNET 98 - #2-> TIPS98.TXT FASTER 56K MODEM -> REGISTRY.TXT MODEM INI STRINGS -> REGISTRY.TXT URL PREFIX FIX -> REGISTRY.TXT HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? #2 -> REGISTRY.TXT REGISTER ACTIVEX CONTROL-> MYTIPS95.TXT 56K MODEMS @ 56K SPEED! -> MYTIPS95.TXT ISPS KNOWN MTU VALUES -> MYTIPS95.TXT FAST, FAST, FAST -> MYTIPS95.TXT SYSTEM.INI TWEAKS -> MYTIPS95.TXT AOL Help + Tips on the Internet: - AOL Clients (ALL available releases): http://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/dnld_aol/download_aol.adp - RASPPPOE xDSL Setup for AOL WITHOUT AOL Client (Win9x/ME, works also with Win2000/XP): http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,6342878~root=aolplus~mode=flat - PC World: Combat AOL 4.0 Crashes and Freeze-Ups: http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article.asp?aid=13341 - Ojatex's "MISMATCHED SOCKS-AOL" in LAPTOP98.TXT (included): http://members.aol.com/ojatex/98tip1.htm#MATCH - Ojatex's Laptop Tips for AOL in LAPTOP.TXT (included): http://members.aol.com/ojatex/laptop.htm - AOL.com Help: http://www.aol.com/nethelp/ - Unofficial AOL Email FAQ: http://members.aol.com/adamkb/aol/mailfaq/ - America Online, Netscape, the Internet & You: http://www.cris.com/~shanker/david/aolscape.html - Netscape Navigator and AOL: http://members.aol.com/banderilla/navigaol.htm - Stop AOL Auto Launch: http://members.aol.com/akauncletime/autoaol.html - PC FAQs AOL Help: http://pcfaqs.20m.com/aol.html - AOL FAQs, Tips + Software: http://www.cosmicat.com/aol/ - AOL Glossary: http://www.observers.net/glossary/ - AOL Watch: http://www.aolwatch.org/ - AOL Observers: http://www.observers.net/ - AOL Funnies: http://www.whoisvan.com/ ______________________________________________________________________________ AOL.EXE SWITCHES AOL.EXE command line parameters work with ALL Windows 9x/ME and 3.1x releases. To learn how to start AOL using command line switches, which allows you to go directly to your area of interest upon running AOL, proceed with these steps: 1. Start AOL. 2. Click the Favorites icon. 3. Open Favorite Places. 4. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item. 5. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type: AOL Logon Scripts or any other suggestive name. 6. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type: aol://4344:431.scrptaol.1313877.538546639 7. Click OK. 8. Double-click on "AOL Logon Scripts" and read up. FYI: See "OPEN URL WITH AOL" + "OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this file) for examples. AOL ANTI-IDLE! If you are among the millions of frustrated AOLers who have been "greeted" with a 45 minutes inactivity popup dialog box one too many times, when you ARE in fact doing something on the Internet (eventually using a stand-alone web browser while connected to AOL), you should consider one of these solutions: 1. AOL users located in the USA or Canada: If using a "Call Waiting" (or similar) service provided by your telephone company (telco), turn it off by adding the *70 (or 70# or 1170 = depending on your local phone line provider) prefix followed in most cases by a comma (,) in front of your (local) phone number used to connect to AOL through your analog (dial-up/56K) or digital (xDSL/cable/satellite/ISDN) modem. 2. AOL EASTER EGG: Click Go to from the main AOL menu (these exact steps may vary depending on which version of AOL you are using) -> select Favorite Places -> click Add Favorite Place -> type: aol://1391:43-52114 in the "Enter the Internet Address:" box -> type Hello! (or any other suggestive name you wish) in the "Enter the Place's Description:" box -> click the OK button or press the Enter key. From now on, when you (double)-click on "Hello!" (or whatever else you called it), it will bring up a small (non-resizable!) window containing a person's head wearing snorkeling gear, and waving at you, on a blue background. This can be used as AOL's own "anti-idler" every time after signing on to AOL, because it starts a non-stop looping animation. :) To get it out of the way, just minimize the window. BONUS: If you have your PC sound volume turned up, you can also hear "He, he!" the first time the head pops up. Moreover, when you left-click once inside the blue window, a web browser window will open, taking you to AOL's American Greeting Cards web page: http://www.aol.americangreetings.com/greetingcard/ 3. Install one of the "FREE WINDOWS 9x/NT/2000/ME/XP AOL 32-bit TOOLS" listed in SOFTWARE.TXT (included): http://members.aol.com/axcel216/aoltoy.htm which perform a similar job: monitor and dismiss the 45 min time limit inactivity popup messages. Just make sure to get one that works with your particular AOL version: 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 or 7.0. :) KILL AOL 4.0 [UPDATED 10-16-2001] Have you ever had AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 (32-bit for Win9x/ME) freeze on you, especially while trying to access AOL areas? If you just answered yes, read on, there's still hope for ye. :) I know of 3 ways to "kill" a frozen AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 session: 1. Hit the "three finger salute combo": the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys the same time -> highlight "America Online [Not responding]" -> click the "End Task" button. But sometimes, under certain system configs, after doing this, your entire machine (OS) may freeze, and you may have to punch that dreaded Reset button on your computer case. :( 2. But fear no more, there is a way to close AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 WITHOUT locking up your "beloved" Operating System. Get TaskMan for Windows 9x/ME [16 KB], a great freeware tool that can "kill" ANY (in)visible running/locked app or process: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/4414/Prod_Body.html#taskman Copy TaskMan.exe over the one included with your Windows copy (which you should BACKUP FIRST!) to your Windows folder. Now instead of using Ctrl+Alt+Del, just run the new TaskMan (create a shortcut for it in the Start menu) -> browse to "America Online [Whatever...]" -> double-click on it -> poof, gone! 3. The above are only temporary measures though. :) The "radical" method is to "ditch" (uninstall) AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 completely and get the new AOL 7.0 32-bit for Win9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP from AOL keyword UPGRADE [36 MB download!], or go to: http://free.aol.com/tryaolfree/dnld_aol/download_aol.adp But do NOT forget to keep your custom settings [account info, screen name(s), saved password(s), favorite links, saved e-mail, address book, buddies list etc], by making a backup copy of these AOL 3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0 folders and their contents beforehand (I used C:\AOL4 in this example but you can change that if different): C:\AOL4\IDB and C:\AOL4\ORGANIZE, and of these files (if present) from the C:\AOL4 main directory: AOL.INI, AOLPP.INI, AOLPP2.INI, GOTO.INI and VIEWERS.INI. Now you're ready to uninstall AOL by running: Start button -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> America Online -> hit the Add/Remove button. Finally install AOL7, and let it pick up your custom settings from your ol' AOL 3/4/5/6 which you need to restore to their original folder names (listed above), and you're all set. Just make sure to answer NO to this question (or similar), while installing AOL7: "Do you want to make AOL your default browser?" AOL7 adds some nice bonuses for ya: up to 7 screen names per account (and if you have/create your own AOL based web site you'll get 2Mb of disk space for each screen name, which amounts up to a total of 14Mb if using all 7 screen names), access to new/improved AOL areas, better compatibility with external web browsers (like MS Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator), and [cross your fingers ;)] more stability. After installing AOL 7.0 software, you MUST also upgrade your MS Internet Explorer copy to the NEWEST version, which includes all current security patches and fixes for safer browsing: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ ... And from now on you'll experience (hopefully) fewer AOL lockups... BTW: Yule need a serious dose of good luck too! :) OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL Submitted by Da Drk Sde@aol.com. "To have a "Mailto:" URL you click in an external browser open in AOL e-mail instead of Outlook Express (or whatever 3rd party e-mail application you're using), you need to Edit the "Open" Action for the "URL:Mailto Protocol" under File Types in Explorer to point to Aol.exe, by adding these command line switches (quote marks are necessary as shown): "drive:\directory\aol.exe -nUsername -pPassword -u" "%1" [Thank you Troy Harris (surffkatt@aol.com) for the correct syntax!] Where: - Username: will be the name you wish to send AOL e-mail from, if not already connected to AOL. If connected, AOL will igore the Username and Password. - Password: use this option if the name used above doesn't have a saved password and you do not want to type it in everytime AOL starts up. - %1: in this case the command line will be filled in by the contents of the mailto link you clicked in the external browser, so AOL will recognize it as such, and will open the appropriate Username and Domain to fill in the address boxes." NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this file). UPDATE: "With AOL 7.0 in Windows 98 the shortcut target for supplying AOL with name and password is (default location): "C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aol.exe" -nUserName -pPassWord Note that the name and password parameters are not between the quotes." [Thank you Ken (kenkonkle@aol.com)!] OPEN URL WITH AOL Courtesy of Ben (heatt13195@aol.com). "To open an URL (internet address) directly with AOL, add this new command to the "Internet Shortcut" file type in Explorer -> View -> Options -> Open with AOL. The command line should read (quote marks are necessary as shown): "drive:\directory\aol.exe -u" "%1" Any stand-alone browser that was the default for the "Internet Shortcut" should remain the default. Right-clicking an Internet Shortcut and selecting "Open with AOL" will now open and dial AOL, and then open the Internet Shortcut with the normal (default) browser. This is tricky though, and may cause some strange results with different browsers and versions." NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this file). AOL PROXY SERVER Using a proxy server with ISPs that support it (including AOL), enables anonymous ("stealth") Internet browsing. This means that a web site using server based Java, JavaScript, CGI, Perl or any other tracking technology cannot detect your IP, IP point of origin or e-mail address anymore. Normal browsing allows this detection, and further more, by using one of Netscape's or other 3rd party 32-bit WWW/FTP browsers with built-in e-mail capabilities, a server you access can "extract" your personal e-mail info, and also use IP detection for sending and/or reading cookies to and from your browser (only if your browser is set to accept cookies). MS IE 3/4/5/6 browsers make an exception, and therefore are "safe" for "stealth" browsing, because they don't have a built-in e-mail tool. Another advantage of using proxies is an increase in browsing speed, due to the ISPs/Online Services capability of caching web pages and graphics files locally on their servers, thus accessing various web sites faster from the cached pages. IMPORTANT: The AOL MTU workaround (described in "AOL MAXMTU REVISITED", also included here) needs to be applied AFTER enabling the AOL proxy feature, in order to make the faster AOL MTU of 576 work properly! Also, enabling the AOL proxy in your browser might revert the AOL MTU back to 1500 on some Win9x systems! In this case, if you'd like to speedup your AOL connection by using a MTU of 576, you might need to disable it. The AOL proxy server works ONLY IF YOU: 1. Are an AOL (America Online) member. 2. Connect to AOL ONLY by using one of AOL's proprietary networking protocols, NOT through a 3rd party ISP using AOL's TCP/IP protocol! 3. Use 32-bit AOL client software 3/4/5/6/7 for Windows 9x/ME, and 4. Use a 32-bit proxy capable web browser, like Netscape Navigator/Communicator 3/4/6 (freely distributed), or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 (also free) for Windows 9x/ME. AOL PROXY SERVER USING NETSCAPE BROWSERS: ... Appears courtesy of Jason Caprio (Jcap334@hotmail.com), and updated courtesy of Ben (Heatt13195@aol.com): "1. You MUST be a member of AOL using AOL 32-bit for Windows 9x. 2. Go to the Netscape web site: http://www.netscape.com/download/ and install the latest version of Netscape Communicator 32-bit. 3. Run Netscape and go to: Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Proxies. 4. Choose "Manual Proxy Configuration", and click on View. 5. On the HTTP space, type: vip-tn.proxy.aol.com 6. On the small space just to the right which is the Port, type: 80 for unsecure sites (HTTP), or: 443 for secure sites (HTTPS). 7. Netscape will work with AOL perfectly and FAST!" AOL PROXY SERVER USING MICROSOFT BROWSERS: To use the AOL proxy server feature with your 32-bit Windows 9x/ME Microsoft Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 browser (started separately, NOT using AOL's custom IE interface from within AOL), apply these easy steps, courtesy of The Captain, and updated courtesy of Ben (Heatt13195@aol.com): "This works with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x 32-bit (instructions for 1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x, 5.0x + 6.0x are slightly different) and AOL 32-bit software in Windows 9x/ME. Open IE4 -> click View -> Internet Options -> Connection tab. Place a check mark in "Access the Internet using a proxy server". Type in: vip-tn.proxy.aol.com in the Address field, then type: 80 for unsecure sites (HTTP), or: 443 for secure sites (HTTPS) in the Port field, and check "Bypass proxy server for local (Intranet) addresses". Click OK twice. Open IE5 -> click Tools -> Internet Options -> click "LAN Settings" under the "Connection" tab to list the "Proxy Server" options on the bottom half of the window that comes up. Place a check mark in "Use a proxy server". In the "Address" box type: vip-tn.proxy.aol.com In the "Port" box type: 80 for unsecure sites (HTTP), or: 443 for secure sites (HTTPS). Click OK twice." NOTE: If you use another ISP besides AOL as your alternative or primary Internet connection (and then eventually log on to AOL through AOL's TCP/IP protocol), you need to disable the AOL proxy in your web browser while connected to your other ISP, and eventually enable the specific proxy for your ISP, if available. UPDATE: [Thank you Ben (Heatt13195@aol.com)!] "I investigated the AOL proxy server option further, and discovered that "ie3.proxy.aol.com" and "www3.proxy.aol.com" must be "generic" names for all "vip-**.proxy.aol.com" servers. Maybe they're juggling this around because too many users who aren't "Very Important People" (VIP) are using the "ie3.proxy.aol.com" setting. :) If "ie3.proxy.aol.com" is used, the actual server will vary: vip-wo.proxy.aol.com vip-wn.proxy.aol.com vip-tn.proxy.aol.com etc... To see what I mean, run: PING -a -l 548 ie3.proxy.aol.com eventually changing 548 to various packet (MTU) sizes." AOL PERSONAL FILE CABINET Many thanks Ed (EWitten507@aol.com)! Your cool trick follows... "Saving your AOL artwork and Personal Filing Cabinet This is a little trick I learned when my AOL software crashed (due to a power surge and I didn't have a recent backup) and I found out my Personal Filing Cabinet was too large to be transferred to another installation using AOL's standard procedures (i.e. reinstalling the software). Follow these steps to recover your information: 1. From Windows 9x, exit to DOS. 2. Rename your original AOL directory to something like AOL30BAK (RENAME C:\AOL30 C:\AOL30BAK where C represents the drive letter to which you installed AOL.) 3. Restart Windows and install the AOL software, being sure NOT, repeat NOT, to let the installation software search your hard drive for a previous AOL installation. 4. After AOL has installed, DO NOT start it. Exit Windows again to DOS. 5. Go to the AOL30BAK\IDB directory (CD\AOL30BAK\IDB) and copy everything but the MAIN.IDX file to your new AOL IDB directory (COPY *.* C:\AOL30\IDB). DO NOT, repeat DO NOT tell the COPY command to overwrite files always when it asks if you want to. You can overwrite every file but MAIN.IDX. Failure to follow this step could cause problems later on. 6. Go to the AOL30BAK\ORGANIZE directory (CD\AOL30BAK\ORGANIZE). Copy the contents of this directory to your new AOL directory (COPY *.* C:\AOL30\ORGANIZE). 7. Restart Windows. Start AOL and follow the instructions for signing on as a new user. When AOL asks, enter your Screen Name and Password to sign on to the network. Go to the Members drop-down menu and select PREFERENCES. Set both Graphics and Personal Filing Cabinet to at least 30MB. 8. Sign-off and exit AOL. Then exit to DOS one last time. 9. Go to the AOL30BAK\IDB directory (CD\AOL30BAK\IDB) and copy the MAIN.IDX file to your new AOL IDB directory (COPY MAIN.IDX C:\AOL30\IDB), overwriting as necessary. 10. And that's it. When you sign on in your new installation, AOL tries to create a new Personal Filing Cabinet for you. Since your old filing cabinet is already in the ORGANIZE directory and providing that it is not corrupted, AOL recognizes it and acts accordingly. Your data should be recovered. Copying MAIN.IDX into your new installation preserves any artwork you have acquired, and when you sign on again the software will automatically update and (providing none of the files in the IDB directory is corrupt) all of your old settings should be restored. But double check your modem setup all the same. I've only tried this with AOL 3.0 (I don't care for 4.0 because of the way it handles mail), but I suspect it will work with 4.0 as well because the architecture is basically similar." UPDATE: "Here's another way to save your File Cabinet if you have to reinstall AOL (this works with AOL 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). Since AOL will save the Download and Organize folders when you uninstall, copy only your Idb folder somewhere else, uninstall, and then reinstall AOL. Then copy it back under your new AOL folder, replacing the one there." This update courtesy of Tom B. (Jult53@aol.com). AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX This Registry fix applies to ALL AOL users who installed AOL v4.0 or v5.0 32-bit software for Windows 95/98, and is aimed to obtain MAXimum transfer speeed on AOL, with a 28 - 56 kbps analog modem. This is THE ONLY way you can force AOL 4.0 and 5.0 to use a MTU value other than 1500 or 1472 (default), which is optimized ONLY for LAN/WAN networks, xDSL and cable and satellite modems, but NOT for analog modems, no matter how you connect to AOL: - using AOL as your primary ISP by dialing one of AOL's local phone numbers available in your area; - using another primary ISP to log on to the Internet, and then using AOL's TCP/IP protocol to sign on to AOL. CREDITS: This workaround was successfully experimented by Arvid (ajbloom@aol.com) with AOL 4.0 and by Jeff (SEAL81044@aol.com) with AOL 5.0. Many thanks for sharing! THE BUG: When you install AOL 4.0 or 5.0 on your Windows 9x computer, it creates this new Registry key, you can see by running Regedit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\America Online\AOL\aolsock and in the right hand pane you'll notice one of these DWORD values (default): mtu 0x000005dc (1500) or: mtu 0x000005c0 (1472) THE FIXES: 1. You MUST apply this fix [delete the "aolsock" Registry key], and then set your TCP/IP MTU to 576, as described in the "AOL MAXMTU REVISITED" topic, also included here, to make all this work properly! 2. On some Win9x machines you'll also notice this AOL 4/5 Registry key (using Regedit): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\AolsockBack If your Registry doesn't have this key, you need to create it: start Regedit -> go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL right-click on "AOL" -> select New -> click Key -> type "AolsockBack" (no quotes) -> click OK or press Enter. This is the "AolsockBack" MTU DWORD value in the right hand pane (default): mtu 0x000005dc (1500) or: mtu 0x000005c0 (1472) To create a new "mtu" DWORD (if not present) under "AolsockBack": right-click in the right hand pane -> select New -> DWORD Value -> name it "mtu" (no quotes) -> click OK or press Enter. To change the MTU used by AOL to 576 (for MAX speeed) under "AolsockBack": right-click on "mtu" -> select Modify -> check the Decimal box -> type 576 -> click OK or press Enter. Now restart Windows and log on to AOL. According to Arvid (using AOL v4.0) and to Jeff (using AOL v5.0), their download speeds went from 1-2 KB/sec to 4-5 KB/sec, sometimes even faster, ONLY after applying this tweak! Have fun. AOL 56K MODEM "PLAGUE" This fix was kindly sent in by Ojatex (Ojatex@aol.com), a frustrated AOL 32-bit client user and MS Windows 98 OS owner. NOTE: This fix affects ALL Windows 95/98/ME 56K modem Internet PPP (Point to Point Protocol) and Dial-Up Connection (DUN) hookups, no matter what Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Online Service you are using. "Hi Captain, In your MODEMS.TXT file you write: "MaxMTU Fix Some people have found that their Internet file transfers are quite slow, often between 900 - 1,800 characters per second, even on a 56k modem." This problem was a plague even though I usually connect to AOL at 41,333 - 49,333 bps and browsing is fairly speedy. However download speed of files was miserable. There is a "fix" that works quite well on my system: 1. Open Control Panel -> Modems. 2. From General Tab select Properties. 3. Select Connection Tab -> Advanced. 4. Under Add Extra Settings, enter the following: ATS27=64S15=128 This increased my download speed to 4.5 - 5.0 kbps." FYI: - Captain's MODEMS.TXT is included in this archive for your reading pleasure. - See also "56K MODEMS @ 56K SPEED!" in MYTIPS95.TXT (included) for more details using 56K modems to connect to the Internet in Windows 9x/ME. 10 EXTRA MEGABYTES First a tip. Create a shortcut (link) to your AOL FTP Place (you are using to upload files to your web site) into Favorite Places, respecting the following convention: aol://5862:144/members.aol.com:/yourscreenname or its alias (same thing, but less typing): aol://5862:144/users.aol.com:/yourscreenname Replace the "yourscreenname" string above with your real AOL screen name. Name this new item whatever you want. This would be mine: aol://5862:144/users.aol.com:/axcel216 To do this, simply click on "Keyword" from the "Go to" menu, and type "My place" (no quotes) in the dialog box. When you get there, simply drag the heart shaped icon at the top right side into the Favorite Places window. Then go ahead and access your AOL FTP place: ftp://members.aol.com:/yourscreenname or: ftp://users.aol.com:/yourscreenname from within the AOL interface (even if you connect to AOL using another primary ISP, like I do), by starting your AOL built-in web browser, to see how much free space you have left. AOL provides 2 Mb (2,000,000 bytes) of web/ftp space for each screen name, and you can create up to 5 screen names per individual account, for a total of 10 Mb (10,000,000 bytes). Notice that when AOL says 10 Mb (Megabits), they mean exactly 2,000,000 bits, NOT 10 MB (MegaBytes) which translates into 1,048,576 Bytes per MegaByte, which amounts to 10,485,760 Bytes. This is because they calculate it using the bit unit (1 Byte = 8 bits) and the decimal system (1 Kilobit = 1,000 bits), NOT the Byte unit or the Byte multiplication system (1 KiloByte = 1,024 Bytes). Therefore if you do the math, you'll see that AOL's 10 Megabytes are actually 240 KiloBytes "shorter". Bummer... Talk about "savings". :( BUT [there always must be a BUT :)] if you had subscribed by listing one (or more) of your AOL web pages with the HomeTown web site (a free advertising service for AOLers), found at: http://hometown.aol.com/ and using your AOL built-in web browser, before November 1st 1998, you must have by now an extra 10 Mb of FTP space (wow!) added to your default 2 Mb, allocated to the screen name where your HomeTown listed page resides. If you didn't get your extra 10 Mb yet, send e-mail to: AOLInsider@aol.com If you missed this one-time offer, you can still "expand" your AOL FTP space by adding some of (or all) your web pages to HomeTown AOL. Details here: http://members.aol.com/hmtwnpromo/double/ When you submit your web page to HomeTown AOL, the default AOL URL changes from (example): http://members.aol.com/axcel216/95.htm to (automatically redirected): http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/axcel216/95.htm You can also access the same page at this URL: http://hometown.aol.com/axcel216/95.htm and they also place a (non-removable) frame on top of your page, which contains AOL related ads. Good luck! NOTE: You must be using AOL software 3.0 or above to be able to do all this. AOL THROUGH TCP/IP (My ©trick) This tip applies to all America Online members who: - use Windows 95/98 OS; - use AOL v3.0 software client 32-bit for Windows 95/98 [this does NOT work with AOL v4.0 or v5.0!]; - connect to AOL through another (primary) ISP (Internet Service Provider); - log to the Internet using Win95/98 TCP/IP PPP protocol through the Dial-Up Networking (DUN) applet, configured for the primary ISP. NOTE: This tip is NOT valid for AOL 4/5 users, who have to configure the built-in AOL protocol for TCP/IP connections. See your AOL 4.0 or 5.0 help files for details. I'm going to use in this example AT&T Worldnet as primary ISP. This means your DUN must be configured to log on to Worldnet FIRST. You should be able to log on to the Internet by (double)-clicking the Worldnet icon on your desktop. NOTE: To learn how to "squeeze" maximum performance out of your DUN connection using your ISP, read "SPEEDUP MY DUN!" in MYTIPS95.TXT (included). Then you have the choice of starting your favorite web browser and surf away, or/and check your e-mail on AOL the same time (like I do). And AOL membership is only $9.95/month for unlimited use, if using another ISP to connect (the so-called "BYOA" option = Bring Your Own Access). See details at AOL Keyword: BYOA. I use a local provider (TWR Online) as my primary ISP, which charges only $10.75/month for unlimited use (with an anual fee of $129). Therefore my monthly online charges amount to a grand total of $20.70, including AOL's $9.95/month, which allows me to use both for less than AOL's standard fee of $21.95/month (their unlimited use option). Worldnet has its own proprietary method of starting AOL through a link found usually at the top of your web browser's Bookmark file/Favorites folder. But this may be time consuming, because you need to connect to Worldnet's server every time you want to access the AOL link. :( BUT luckily there is a workaround. :) This solution is valid no matter which primary ISP you are using, as long as you meet ALL conditions enumerated at the beginning of this topic. Just follow the easy steps below to start AOL locally, without using Worldnet's (or your primary ISP's) remote AOL link. 1. Create a new shortcut on your desktop for AOL 3.0: right-click on an empty spot on your desktop. 2. Select New. 3. Click Shortcut. 4. Browse to your AOL 3.0 folder. 5. Double-click the AOL.EXE (or WAOL.EXE) executable. 6. Type in these parameters on the command line AFTER aol.exe (or waol.exe), separated by a space (AOL 3.0 is installed by default in the C:\AOL30 folder): C:\AOL30\AOL.EXE -aATT -cTCP.CCL or: C:\AOL30\WAOL.EXE -aATT -cTCP.CCL 7. Click Finish. 8. Optional: change your AOL shortcut's name and/or icon if you so desire. HINT: You can use the AOL custom icon (the small magenta sphere in the middle of a triangle) found in MYICONS.DLL (included). Bingo! If you (double)-click your new AOL shortcut, you'll see a new AT&T icon to the right, on AOL's main menu bar. If you click the AT&T icon, AOL simply shuts down if you are not signed on (offline mode), or logs off and then exits if you happen to be online. The "-aATT" parameter can be used independently, just to get the extra "AOL shut down" icon (the only drawback is that AOL's modem Setup is disabled). What this means: the "-cTCP.CCL" command line parameter tells AOL 3.0 to start in "TCP/IP mode", instead of its default "modem mode" (used to connect through AOL's proprietary modem protocol, using AOLNET.CCL by default, when you use AOL as your primary ISP). TCP.CCL (AOL's proprietary TCP/IP protocol) is actually a file found in the \AOL30\CCL subfolder, when using the same folder name in the example above. This way you can start AOL even if you are not connected to your primary ISP (Worldnet in this example), and then you can sign on to AOL as soon as your TCP/IP Internet connection has been established. Have fun! AOL INSTANT MESSAGES ON/OFF To turn off AOL Instant Messages (IMs) so they won't pop up while you're in the middle of doing something else, log on to AOL and follow these steps: A. First method: 1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box. 2. Type: $im_off in the IM Send to box. 3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box. 4. Hit Send. To turn AOL Instant Messages back on: 1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box. 2. Type: $im_on in the IM Send to box. 3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box. 4. Hit Send. B. Second method (some steps may differ slightly depending on your AOL version): 1. Click the Favorites icon. 2. Open Favorite Places. 3. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item. 4. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type: IM OFF or any other suggestive name you wish. 5. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type: aol://9293:$im_off 6. Click OK. 7. Double-click "IM OFF" to turn off AOL Instant Messages. To turn IMs back on: 1. Click the Favorites icon. 2. Open Favorite Places. 3. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item. 4. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type: IM ON or any other suggestive name you wish. 5. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type: aol://9293:$im_on 6. Click OK. 7. Double-click "IM ON" to turn on AOL Instant Messages. C. Third method (applies ONLY to Windows 9x users): Set AOL KillTimer for Win9x [74 KB, freeware]: http://members.tripod.com/~cbajgier/ to disable all IM pop-ups. KillTimer can also automatically push the "Yes/OK" button whenever the annoying message generated after 45 minutes of online inactivity shows up. AOL MAXMTU REVISITED (My ©trick) [UPDATED 1-27-1999] ... As published at CNN, PC World, LangaList etc, and used in EasyMTU, TweakDUN + TweakMASTER. See REVIEWS.TXT (included) or go to: http://members.aol.com/axcel216/reviews.htm REQUIREMENTS: This workaround applies to ALL America Online users who: - connect to AOL using a 28 - 56 kbps analog modem; - use Microsoft Windows 95 or 98 Operating Systems (ANY release); [... don't we all?! :-)] - use America Online (AOL) client software 32-bit version, ANY beta/Gold release 3.0/4.0/5.0 for Windows 95/98, and - connect to the Internet using an AOL (local) phone number (via AOLnet). BACKGROUND INFO: DEFINITION: Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) or packet size of a Network/ISP is the largest amount of data that can be transferred in one physical frame on that Network. Fragmentation will occur if a packet is sent across a Network that has a MTU smaller than the packet's frame length. This leads to lower performance as fragments need to be reassembled. The workaround in this case is to decrease the Winsock's MTU value to match the minimum MTU of ALL intervening Networks. Since it is virtually impossible to determine the minimum MTU of so many Networks, trial and error is almost always the best choice. Start by trying to match your MTU value with your Network/ISP's MTU. Typical cases: - Ethernet networks: MTU = 1500 - SLIP servers: MTU = 1006 - PPP protocol (Internet TCP/IP): MTU = 576. See also Microsoft's explanation of (Max)MTU: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=140375 The only way for ALL AOL members to connect to the Internet (so far) is by using AOL's software, [:-(] which in ALL 32-bit releases implements its own built-in version of MTU setting of 1500. AOL's "mtu" parameter is found under this Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\America Online\AOL\aolsock "mtu"=dword:000005dc and canNOT be changed when using version 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 of AOL 32-bit client. It is ALWAYS reset to AOL's default value of 1500 whenever one logs on to AOL, by being "hardwired" into AOLNDI.DLL, a file installed by the AOL 32-bit software, and located both in AOL's folder and in Windows 95/98's C:\Windows\System subfolder. And if the "aolsock" Registry key is present, AOL 32-bit software also resets (depending on different Dial-Up Networking system configurations) the NetTrans MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU [Win98] back to 1500 under the TCP/IP Registry keys, corresponding to the "AOL Adapter" and "TCP/IP -> AOL Adapter" items, found on the Network Control Panel applet list. But I have found a way around this AOL's limitation. [looks more like a bug to me... :-)] FAST FIX: To speed up your AOL connection, and the same time skip the techno "geek speak" in this article, I recommend using the new versions of these fine programs, the only ones that (so far) apply ALL the Win95/98/AOL/MTU recommended tweaks described below to your system: - Rob Vonk's EasyMTU v3.0, the first, the best and the only FREEware AOL/MTU/TTL/RWIN/COMBoostTime/cachesize/etc tweaking tool [360 KB]: http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip EasyMTU v3.0 includes also FindMTU [a PING tool] to determine EXACTLY the MTU value used by your ISP/Online Service (i.e. AOL). Rob Vonk's EasyMTU home: http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu/ - TweakDUN + TweakMASTER: http://www.pattersondesigns.com/tweakdun/ This fast fix add-on was suggested by Steve Bass, PC World Editor (steve_bass@pcworld.com). Many thanks! THE WORKAROUNDS DETAILED: DELETE "aolsock": 1. First, exit the AOL interface COMPLETELY. 2. Now run Regedit.exe (the Registry Editor), located in your Windows folder, and go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\America Online Export the ENTIRE Registry key above to a text file, using Regedit's "Registry" -> "Export Registry File" feature. Save it as AOLKEY.TXT. It's safer to choose the .TXT extension instead of the default .REG, so you don't re-register (merge this key again into the Registry) by accident. :) 3. With the Registry Editor open, DELETE the "America Online" registry subkey below. Right-click on "aolsock", select Delete, and answer Yes to the confirmation prompt: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\America Online\AOL\aolsock IMPORTANT: You need to repeat ALL the steps described here EVERY time after you (re)install ANY 32-bit version of AOL software, because it rewrites the "aolsock" Registry key, and also resets the AOL "mtu", the TCP/IP NetTrans "MaxMTU" (Win95), and/or the Net "IPMTU" (Win98) values back to 1500! 4. MANDATORY for ALL AOL v4.0 or v5.0 (beta or Gold) 32-bit software users, Win98 and Win95: apply the "AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX", also included here. 5. TWEAK "MaxMTU" [Win95] + "IPMTU" [Win98]: Recommended Registry values for AOL: * Win95/OSR2 users: MaxMTU=576 * Win98/98 SE users: IPMTU=576 A MUST: READ my original/unique "FASTEST INTERNET 98 - Part 2" tweak in TIPS98.TXT (included), to learn how to MAXimize your AOL analog modem connection speed by adjusting your MTU to ANY value you want! NOTE: MaxMTU [Win95], IPMTU [Win98], DefaultRcvWindow [RWIN], DefaultTTL [TTL] and cachesize [NDI] are NOT present in your Registry if you have never used a "MTU tweaker" like EasyMTU, or added them yourself using a Registry editor like Regedit. AOL MTU in USA and Canada is actually 1500. But AOL servers do NOT support the "do not fragment bit" protocol, therefore you NEED to use MTU=576 with AOL for MAXimum performance! * WINDOWS 95 + OSR2 USERS ONLY: - THE EASY WAY [USE THE REG FILE]: All necessary settings can be implemented by using the included file: AOLMTU95.REG (or restored by using AOLDEF95.REG, also included). But FIRST open these .REG files in Notepad and compare the Registry keys listed there with yours. To view/edit your Win95 Registry, run the Registry editor (REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win95 folder), and scroll to the keys listed in AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF95.REG. The "DriverDesc"="TCP/IP" NetTrans keys: 0000, 0001, 0002 might have different values on your system. You may have more than one "00nn" NetTrans keys ("nn" is an actual number, ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's Network/Dial-Up settings). If that is true, you HAVE TO REPLACE THEM with the ones found in YOUR Registry! After modifying the AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF95.REG keys to match YOURS, (double)-click on AOLMTU95.REG in Explorer or File Manager, to merge (register) the new settings. Then restart Win95, log on to AOL as usual, and notice any differences in access speed. - THE HARD WAY :) [MODIFY THE REGISTRY MANUALLY]: Run the Registry editor (REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win95 folder) and set MaxMTU to 576 (Win95 default MaxMTU value is 1500) into ALL your TCP/IP NetTrans Registry keys (these are the SLIP/PPP protocol keys). You may have more than one. Examples (these are ONLY my TCP/IP NetTrans registry keys, you MUST customize YOURS to get similar results): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0000 "MaxMTU"="576" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0001 "MaxMTU"="576" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0002 "MaxMTU"="576" MEANING: "MaXMTU" = Maximum Transmission Unit, or MTU (packet size in Bytes). Valid values: MTU = MSS + 40. Respectively: 576, 1006, 1500 (other values are valid as well, depending on the MTU used by different ISPs). AOL in USA/Canada: MTU = 1500. But AOL servers do NOT support the "do not fragment bit" protocol, therefore you NEED to use MTU = 576 with AOL for maximum performance! Default: 1500. Recommended: 576. Data type: string: "MaxMTU"="576" To determine EXACTLY which NetTrans keys you need to alter (and NO others), bear in mind that you MUST have this entry: "DriverDesc=TCP/IP" under EACH of your TCP/IP NetTrans keys you want to modify! Change/add the MaxMTU string ONLY under your NetTrans keys that have "TCP/IP" on the "DriverDesc" line! You may have more than one "00nn" NetTrans keys ("nn" is an actual number, ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's Network/TCP/IP/DUN settings). Here there are two possibilities: A. If you already have a "MaxMTU" entry: double-click on the right hand pane "MaxMTU" string, and type in 576. Click OK. B. If you don't have a "MaxMTU" entry: you can add it manually, by double-clicking on EACH of your left hand pane TCP/IP NetTrans 000n/00nn keys and then selecting New -> String value. Name the new string MaxMTU. Double-click on it and give it a value of 576. Repeat the steps above for ALL your TCP/IP NetTrans keys, to include the recommended values for MaxMTU. Restart Windows 95 when done so all changes can take effect. * WINDOWS 98 + 98 SE(U) USERS ONLY: - THE EASY WAY [USE THE REG FILE]: All necessary settings can be implemented by using the included file: AOLMTU98.REG (or restored by using AOLDEF98.REG, also included). But FIRST open these .REG files in Notepad and compare the Registry keys listed there with yours. To view/edit your Win98 Registry, run the Registry editor (REGEDIT.EXE, located in your Win98 folder), and scroll to the keys listed in AOLMTU98.REG and AOLDEF98.REG. The "DriverDesc"="Dial-Up Adapter" and "DriverDesc"="AOL Adapter" Net keys: 0000, 0001 etc might have different values on your system. You may have more than one "00nn" Net keys ("nn" is an actual numbers, ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's Network/Dial-Up settings). If that is true, you HAVE TO REPLACE THEM with the ones found in YOUR Registry! After modifying the AOLMTU98.REG and AOLDEF98.REG keys to match YOURS, (double)-click on AOLMTU98.REG in Explorer or File Manager, to merge (register) the new settings. Then restart Win98, log on to AOL as usual, and notice any differences in access speed. - THE HARD WAY :) [MODIFY THE REGISTRY MANUALLY]: These are the Registry settings you can change to get the fastest possible AOL/Internet connection under Windows 98, using the TCP/IP protocol (Dial-Up Networking) and AOL (America Online) 32-bit 3.0/4.0/5.0, only if you connect to AOL through an AOL local phone number: I. Start Regedit, and go to (default Win98 Registry key): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0000 "SLOWNET"=hex:00 "IPMTU"="576" Make sure you modify these values ONLY under the Net keys that display "DriverDesc"="Dial-Up Adapter" and/or "DriverDesc"="AOL Adapter" in the right hand pane! A. In the right hand pane, double-click the "SLOWNET" hex value, and change its number from 01 to 00. This won't dramatically increase your transfers but will reduce timeouts. B. Change the "IPMTU" string to read 576. Win98's default is 0, corresponding to the "Automatic" IP Packet Size setting: Control Panel -> Network applet -> Dial-Up Adapter -> Advanced -> IP Packet Size. Various Win98 TCP/IP configurations may contain the "SLOWNET" and "IPMTU" values under different Registry subkeys. Double-click on the "Net" key (see above) to view all its subkeys. Substitute the "00nn" key below with the appropriate integer number(s) present on your machine (valid values for nn = 00 - 50): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\00nn Then track down all "SLOWNET" and "IPMTU" instances and modify them as described above. Example (nn = 01): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0001 "IPMTU"="576" II. Run Regedit and go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Net\0000\Ndi\params\IPMTU "default"="576" The same 00nn -> 0000, 0001... etc substitution principle (see above) applies here. Change the "default" string found in the right hand pane from 0 (Win98's default "Automatic" setting) to 576. Restart Windows 98 when done so all changes can take effect. 6. TWEAK "RWIN", "TTL", "maxconnect", "maxsockets" + "cachesize": Tweak these other Registry settings (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!) to speed-up your AOL connection (ALL Win98 AND Win95 users): follow the guidelines in "HOW FAST CAN YOU GO? - Part 2" in REGISTRY.TXT (included). Close the Registry Editor when you're done. 7. TWEAK "ComBoostTime": You may gain MORE modem transfer speed by adding/modifying this line under your System.ini's [386enh] section to read: COMBoostTime=1 System.ini is a text file located in your Windows folder. Open it for editing in Notepad. The "COMBoostTime" setting affects the time (in milliseconds) the Operating System processes a COM port interrupt. The default value is 2. If you notice a loss of keyboard characters while using your ISP/AOL/communications programs, increase COMBoostTime to 4 (further experimenting may be necessary to determine your own optimal setting). NOTE: You need to RESTART Windows EVERY time after modifying ANY System.ini settings! 8. THE MAGIC HOSTS FILE: "One more speedup trick: You can save two to six seconds every time you go to your favorite web pages. Just use a HOSTS file. This is your very own DNS server, right in your own PC, and it translates the domain name into an IP address. That means when your browser tries to contact www.microfsoft.com, the HOSTS file runs interference, changes the URL into an IP address (207.46.131.137) and speeds up the time it takes to get there. Many programs create and manage HOSTS files: - TweakDUN also handles MTU tweaks: http://www.pattersondesigns.com/tweakdun/ - Net Lightning [the Lite version is freeware] does the job: http://mknight.w1.net/netlightening/contents.shtml - as does Legion [freeware]: http://www.actionplus.com/products/legion/ I don't have a favorite... any of them will do the job." This HOSTS file topic courtesy of Steve Bass (steve_bass@pcworld.com), PC World Editor. HINT: By default the HOSTS file (no extension) is located in your Win95/98 folder. Edit it with Notepad, to read the usage guidelines and then add your frequently visited web sites IP addresses/host names. To get the IP address of your favorite server, let's say www.pcworld.com, run PING (a Networking tool found also in your Win95/98 folder) from a DOS prompt box/session, while connected to the Internet: ping www.pcworld.com These are the IP numbers you need: Pinging www.pcworld.com [209.1.23.30] etc... Copy them on a separate line into your Hosts file: 209.1.23.30 www.pcworld.com # PC World Everything after the pound sign (#) is a comment. Repeat this operation for each web site you want added. TIP: Most web sites use dynamic IP addresses, meaning the numbers change every time you try to access them. Therefore you might want to PING the same site more than once, and then add ALL IP numbers found for that site, followed by the host/website name (see example above) on separate lines in your Hosts file. 9. Use a PROXY with AOL: Read "AOL PROXY SERVER" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this file) for step-by-step guidelines. NOTE: The AOL MTU workaround (described above) needs to be applied AFTER enabling the AOL proxy feature, in order to make the faster AOL MTU of 576 work properly! Enabling the AOL proxy in your browser might revert the AOL MTU back to 1500 on some Win9x systems! In this case, if you'd like to speedup your AOL connection by using a MTU of 576, you might have to disable the AOL proxy. 10. Restart Windows 95/98 and then start AOL. Connect as usual. Notice any differences in access speed/modem throughput, while browsing through AOL and Internet areas, and try to download some files off AOL/Internet for comparison. RESTORE DEFAULTS: If you experience slow-downs accessing AOL and/or the Internet after applying the above workarounds: I. Double-click on AOLDEF98.REG [Win98 users] or AOLDEF95.REG [Win95 users] (also included) to RESTORE ALL Registry settings to their DEFAULTS. But FIRST you *MUST* modify AOLMTU98.REG/AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF98.REG/AOLDEF95.REG (using Notepad), to CUSTOMIZE ALL TCP/IP NetTrans MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU [Win98] lines to MATCH YOUR OWN SYSTEM: *READ* the step-by-step guidelines at paragraph #5 above to learn how to do this PROPERLY! II. Re-register (RESTORE) the America Online "aolsock" subkey you have saved as AOLKEY.TXT (as described at paragraph #2 above): FIRST RENAME it to AOLKEY.REG and then (double)-click on it in Explorer or File Manager. AOLKEY.REG is also included with these files. III. Remark with a semicolon (;) the "COMBoostTime" line under the [386enh] section of your System.ini: ; COMBoostTime=1 IV. Restart Windows so all changes can take effect. TIPS: - Use Windows 95/98's System Monitor tool (SYSMON.EXE, located in your Windows folder), to monitor your modem connections, as described in "DUN MONITOR - Part 1" and "DUN MONITOR - Part 2" from MYTIPS95.TXT (included). - For extensive details/specs on analog/digital modems, Win95/98 communications, TCP/IP, DUN and more MTU/TTL/RWIN/etc tweaking programs, check out these reference links: http://members.aol.com/axcel216/modem.htm MANDATORY UPGRADES: You might also see modem speed improvements over the Internet by installing these free Microsoft communications upgrades: - ALL Windows 95/98 users: Dial-Up Networking (DUN) v1.4: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=285189 - ONLY Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2 users: Windows Sockets (Winsock) v2.0: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=182108 MS Winsock 2.0 MUST be installed BEFORE MS DUN 1.4! FIND OUT YOUR ISP'S MTU: You may need to switch back to AOL's default "mtu" value of 1500 if your connection slows down (you have to wait a while longer to access web sites or download files), depending on your location, phone number/protocol used to connect, or if you use a 3rd party ISP to connect to AOL that requires a MTU value of 1500 at server end. To determine the EXACT MTU value used by your ISP/Online Service, especially if you connect to the Internet/AOL using an ISP other than AOL, apply one of the following methods: - Check out this list of known MTU values, detailed in "ISPS KNOWN MTU VALUES" from MYTIPS95.TXT (included). - Download and run Rob Vonk's EasyMTU v3.0 [includes FindMTU, 360 KB, freeware]: http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip - Read "FIND YOUR ISP'S MTU" in TIPS95.TXT (included). BTW: ... Almost forgot: [:-)] ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR FILES TO A SAFE LOCATION BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES! Respectively: 1. The Windows 95/98 Registry files: SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT, found in your Windows folder. These files have the hidden and system attributes, for write-protection purposes. 2. SYSTEM.INI, also residing in your Win9x/ME folder. Happy surfing! AOL WEB BROWSING Courtesy of Ojatex (Ojatex@aol.com). "Any AOLer should ALWAYS use their browser as a STANDALONE and NOT under the AOL shell, which cripples AOL's internal (built-in) browser (eg. MS Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6) in several ways. Some Java and JavaScript problems disappear when one loads a web site using MS IE/Netscape as a standalone, outside the AOL interface. Many AOLers (especially newbies) don't realize that STANDALONE browsing is possible and BETTER. It also gets rid of the annoying AOL toolbar that hogs the screen." FYI: 1. AOL 32-bit software 3/4/5/6/7/8/9 for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 have Microsoft Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 32-bit browser built-in. I recommend to use one of these free 32-bit browsers to access the Internet instead, while logged on to AOL: - Netscape Navigator/Communicator: http://www.netscape.com/download/ - Mozilla Gecko full suite: http://www.mozilla.org/releases/ - Mozilla Firebird stand alone: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/ 2. Learn how to make Netscape browsers work with AOL software: http://help.netscape.com/kb/consumer/19970331-2.htmlDownload Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.