FAQ: America OnlineAmerica Online's (AOL) Web browser is notorious for distorting and degrading Web sites.
There are some features many Web sites that might not be viewed (or even work) using the AOL's browser. Although America Online has recently upgraded its browser with new capabilities, some of the features of the Web still cannot be seen using the AOL's new browser. In order to get the most from the Web, we suggest you use Netscape's or Microsoft's Web browsers. Fortunately, both may be used by AOL users.
Downloading either (or both) of these browsers is free. And it's easy! Just follow the instructions for either Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, and in ten minutes, you're ready to go.
Windows 3.1It's very important that you follow these instructions exactly. It might help if you print them out or copy them into your word processor for easy access. Another option is to find these instructions on AOL. This can be done easily by selecting Go To, Keyword, and typing Netscape. By going through AOL you'll have all the resources a click away.
Version 3.0Ensure that you are using Version 3.0 of the America Online software in Windows 3.1. To check, select Help from the tool bar at the top of the screen, then click on About America Online. If the version number is less than 3.0, you need to upgrade your software by selecting Go To, Keyword, and typing Upgrade.
Connecting via ModemEnsure that you're accessing AOL with a modem, and not through a network TCP/IP connection. If you're connecting to AOL from a network environment, stop here. These instructions are only for use with a dial-up, modem connection to AOL.
Winsock.dllSearch for any file on your system called WINSOCK.DLL. To do this, open File Manager, select View, then Options. Then click the View tab and select Show All Files. Then go back to the File menu and choose Search. In the dialog-box on the Search For line type: winsock.dll.
In the Start From line type C:\ . (Bee sure to include the colon and backslash after the C and make sure the box next to Search All Subdirectories is checked, then click on OK.)
If you find a file called WINSOCK.DLL or winsock.dll, you probably have other online application(s) which require it. Installing another WINSOCK.DLL may cause these applications not to work. We recommend you stop here and consult your software manuals before continuing. If you choose to continue with the installation, and later discover that an application works incorrectly or not at all, you will need to deinstall this version of WINSOCK.DLL and reinstall the other one. This process can bee tricky; therefore if you find other versions of WINSOCK.DLL and are unsure about your abilities to reconstruct the original configuration in case of problems, stop here.
Back Up Existing VersionsIf you found previously existing versions of WINSOCK.DLL and have decided to proceed anyway, first make a backup copy of the other versions on your system.
You will need to close the Search Results window and insert a blank floppy disk into your floppy disk drive bee-fore continuing the backup. Move any existing versions of WINSOCK.DLL that you found in Step 3 to a floppy disk, and note the directory in which each was found. The easiest way to note the directories is to recreate them on the floppy disk. In File Manager you can open a window for the floppy drive and use File, Create Directory to create a directory on the floppy disk with the same name as the directory on your hard disk, then File, Move or drag and drop to move the older version of WINSOCK.DLL to the floppy. If you are unsure how to do this, consult your Windows documentation. Once you've copied the files to the floppy, remove them from your hard drive.
Alternatively, you can rename the copies of WINSOCK.DLL that already exist on your hard drive. Simply use File, Rename in File Manager to change the .DLL extension to your initials (as long as they aren't DLL) or to .SAV.
Bee sure that no copies of any file named WINSOCK.DLL remain on your hard drive.
Download Winsock.dllSwitch back to AOL and the Netscape menu. Double click on Download WINSOCK.DLL, then click on Download Now.
Save the file in your WINDOWS directory by selecting C:\WINDOWS in the Download Manager box that appears.
When you have finished downloading the file, click on Cancel to return to the Netscape menu.
Download & Install Web BrowserTo download Netscape: Go to the Netscape menu. Ideally, you should download its .EXE file into an empty directory, or move it to an empty directory after downloading. To create an empty directory, switch to File Manager. From the menu bar select File, then Create Directory, then type any other name than NETSCAPE for your new directory.
Now switch back to the Netscape menu on AOL. Double click on Download Netscape and click Download Now.
In the Download Manager box, change to the empty directory you just created and click on OK. When you have finished downloading the .EXE, click on Cancel to return to the Netscape menu.
After you have downloaded the .EXE file and moved it to an empty directory, decompress it by double-clicking on it in File Manager. The file will expand to many files. After the files have decompressed and you are returned to File Manager, press F5 to refresh the screen and display all the files.
Once the file has decompressed, double-click on the file SETUP.EXE and follow the installation instructions.
To download Internet Explorer: Ideally, you should download IE's .EXE into an empty directory, or move it to an empty directory after downloading. To create an empty directory, switch to File Manager. From the menu bar select File, then Create Directory, then type a name for your new directory. Then go to http://www.microsoft.com/ie/default.asp on your AOL browser. Under For Windows 3.1 find the link labeled "Windows 3.1, version <whatever>" and click on it. In the Download Manager box, change to the empty directory you just created and click on OK. After you have downloaded its .EXE and moved it to an empty directory, decompress it by double-clicking on it in File Manager. The file will expand to many files. After the file has decompressed and you are returned to File Manager, press F5 to refresh the screen and display all the files.
Once the file has decompressed, double-click on the file SETUP.EXE and follow the installation instructions.
Reboot, Restart & Log On to AOLExit AOL and any other open programs, exit Windows, reboot your computer by pressing the CTRL, ALT and DELETE keys simultaneously, and then restart Windows if it does not start automatically. Log onto AOL as you normally do.
Start Web BrowserWhile you are logged on to AOL, switch over to your desktop and start Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer by double-clicking on its icon. Success! You're now using Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer with your AOL connection!
Note: If you experience any problems in running these browsers or any other online applications, you can undo this installation and return to your original configuration by removing the new WINSOCK.DLL and replacing it with the previous versions you backed up on the floppy disk or renamed.
Windows '95It's very important that you follow these instructions exactly. It might help if you print them out or copy them into your word processor for easy access. Another option is to find these instructions on AOL. This can be done easily by selecting Go To Keyword, and typing NETSCAPE. By going through AOL you'll have all the resources a click away.
AOL Version 3.0?Make sure you're using AOL version 3.0 by ensuring that you are using Version 3.0 of the America Online's software in Windows 95. To check, select HELP from the tool bar at the top of the screen, then click on ABOUT AMERICA ONLINE. If the version number is less than 3.0, you need to upgrade your software by selecting Go To, Keyword, and typing UPGRADE.
Connected via ModemEnsure that you're accessing AOL with a modem, and not through a network TCP/IP connection. If you're connecting to AOL from a network environment, stop here. These instructions are only for use with a dial-up, modem connection to AOL.
Check for Winsock.dllCheck for existing versions of WINSOCK.DLL by searching for any file on your system called WINSOCK.DLL. To do this, click on the Windows 95 Start button, select your C drive; at the menu bar of your C: drive, select View, then Options, then the View tab and select the Show All Files option. Click on Apply, then Cancel. Now click on the Windows 95 Start button again, select Find, and click on Files Or Folders. In the Named dialog-box type WINSOCK.DLL. In the Look In dialog-box select (C:). Make sure the Include Subfolders box is checked and click on Find Now.
If you find a file called WINSOCK.DLL or winsock.dll, you probably have other online application(s) which require it. Installing another WINSOCK.DLL may cause these applications not to work. We recommend you stop here and consult your software manuals before continuing. If you choose to continue with the installation, and later discover that an application works incorrectly or not at all, you will need to deinstall this version of WINSOCK.DLL and reinstall the other one. This process can be tricky; therefore if you find other versions of WINSOCK.DLL and are unsure about your abilities to reconstruct the original configuration in case of problems, stop here.
Back Up Existing VersionsIf you found previously existing versions of WINSOCK.DLL and have decided to proceed anyway, first make a backup copy of the other versions on your system.
Copy any existing versions of WINSOCK.DLL that you found in step 3 to a floppy disk. This can be done easily in the Find window by highlighting each file in turn and using File, Send To, Floppy. If you found more than one WINSOCK.DLL, you will need to create subfolders on the floppy drive to differentiate the various versions. You can do this in My Computer by clicking on the floppy drive icon and selecting File, New, Folder to create the subfolders on the floppy drive. Once you've copied the files to the floppy, remove them from your hard drive. If you receive a message saying that Windows is using the file and it cannot be removed, you will have to overwrite the older WINSOCK.DLL with the new version. This may cause application(s) already on your system to work incorrectly or not at all. Be sure you have a backup copy of the existing WINSOCK.DLL!
Download Winsock.dllSwitch back to AOL and the Netscape menu. Double click on Download WINSOCK.DLL, then click on Download Now. Save the file in your Windows subfolder by selecting C:\WINDOWS in the Download Managert box that appears. When you have finished downloading the file, click on Cancel to return to the Netscape menu.
Download Web BrowserTo download Netscape: Double click on Download Netscape and click Download Now. Ideally you should download this file into an empty subfolder, or move it to an empty subfolder after downloading. Make a note of the subfolder into which you downloaded the file. When you have finished downloading the file, click on Cancel to return to the Netscape menu.
After you have downloaded its .EXE file and moved it to an empty subfolder, decompress it by double-clicking on it in WINDOWS 95 EXPLORER or My Computer. The file will expand to many files. When the decompression window title changes to Finished, close the window by clicking on the X button in the upper right hand corner.
Once the file has decompressed, double-click on the file SETUP.EXE and follow the installation instructions.
To download Internet Explorer: Ideally you should download this file into an empty subfolder, or move it to an empty subfolder after downloading. To make an empty folder click on the My computer icon on the desktop. Click on the icon labeled C: . From there click on the menu item File then New then "folders". Type in the name of the folder and note it. Switch to the AOL browser and go to http://www.microsoft.com/ie/default.asp Under For Windows 3.1 find the link labeled Windows 3.1, version <whatever> and click on it. This is the version that is needed because AOL with only work with a 16 bit browser. In the Download Manager box, change to the empty folder you just created and click on OK. After you have downloaded its .EXE and moved it to an empty folder, decompress it by double-clicking on it in its new folder. The file will expand to many files.
Once the file has decompressed, double-click on the file SETUP.EXE and follow the installation instructions.
Reboot, Restart & Log On to AOLExit AOL and any other open programs. Use the Shut Down menu to restart your computer. Log onto AOL as you normally do.
Start Web BrowserNetscape Navigator: While you are logged onto AOL, minimize its screen and go back to your desktop. Start Netscape Navigator by double-clicking on its shortcut. If you chose the default options during installation, you will find the shortcut on your Start menu under Programs, Netscape. Success! You're now using Netscape Navigator with your AOL connection!
Microsoft Internet Explorer: While you are logged onto AOL, minimize its screen and go back to your desktop. Start Internet Explorer by double-clicking on its shortcut. If you chose the default options during installation, you will find the shortcut on your Start menu under Programs, IEXPLORE. Success! You're now using Internet Explorer with your AOL connection!
Final NotesIf you experience any problems in running these browsers or any other online applications, you can undo this installation and return to your original configuration by removing the new WINSOCK.DLL and replacing it with the previous versions you backed up on the floppy disk or renamed. If you experience any problems in running Netscape Navigator or any other online applications, you can undo this installation and return to your original configuration by removing the new WINSOCK.DLL and replacing it with the previous versions you backed up on the floppy disk.
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