Category: Answer User Questions about AOL

Transcription

1 AOL.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Answer User Questions Subcategory: Answer User Questions Tip: AOL Customer Service AOL can be reached by telephone. The customer service number is Once you are connected you will be asked the nature of your call. Have patience, there are a lot of prompts to answer before you speak to a live person. You may have to wait a fair amount of time. Tip: AOL Members Directory In order to get to the AOL Members Directory you should click on the People icon on the welcome page once you sign on. On the AOL people conncection page you will see the "member directory." Click on that, which is near the top, and you will be asked to enter the information that you have. Category: Answer User Questions about AOL Subcategory: Answer User Questions about AOL Tip: Tip: AOL Games For Download - Solitaire The AOL Games site currently allows you to download these solitaire title: Aloha Solitaire, Charm Solitaire, Great Escapes Solitaire Collection, Hotel Solitaire Deluxe, Tri-Peaks Solitaire. To do this go to AOL keyword "Games", select "See All Card & Board Games", find the solitaire game of your choice, and then select the "Download & Play" link in it's row to begin the download. All other solitaire games can only be accessed online at this time. Tip: AOL Running Or Booting Up Slow If you find that your AOL software is taking more than a few seconds to boot up or is running slowly when you have high-speed access, you might want to try restarting your computer. This will restart the AOL software, give you a fresh connection to the service, and possibly fix a glitch that was present in the AOL software or in your connection the first time. To do this, select the keys "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" at the same time. When your program box opens, select all three again. Or go to your "Start" menu and select "Turn Off Computer".

3 Tip: Cancelling Your AOL Music Now Account You can cancel your AOL Music Now account from anywhere. Go to aol.musicnow.com, click "Member & Guest Sign In" and enter your information, select "My Account", select "Account Settings", and then select "Cancel Membership". You should be able to access AOL Music Now until the end of your current billing cycle. Tip: Enable Cookies For Internet Explorer To enable cookies for Internet Explorer 5.5 or lower go to your "Start" button, select "Programs", select "Internet Explorer", select "Tools", select "Internet Options", select "Security", select "Custom Level", scroll down until you find the cookies selection, enable both "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" and "Allow pre-session cookies" options, select "OK", and select "OK" again. Your cookies should be enabled. To Enable Cookies for Internet Explorer 6.x go to your "Start" button, select "Programs", select "Internet Explorer", select "Tools", select "Internet Options", select "Privacy", select "Advanced", find the "Override automatic cookie handling box" to checkmark it, select an appropriate option for both "First-party Cookies" and "Third-party Cookies", find "Always allow session cookies box" to checkmark it, select "OK", and then select "OK" again. Your cookies should be enabled. Category: AOL Anywhere Subcategory: AOL Anywhere Tips Tip: Get AOL anywhere AOL is no longer restricted to your computer. AOL Anywhere is a member service that lets you receive AOL instant messages, reminders and on your cell phone or PDA. AOL Anywhere lets you stay in constant touch with friends, family, and coworkers. Category: AOL Chat Subcategory: AOL Chat Rooms Tip: AOL Chat Room Blocking Features AOL parental controls are important if you are a parent with kids who use AOL chat. These controls are to help you keep your kids safe from AOL chat rooms where inappropriate content or dialogue might take place. Parental controls can also be set to prevent your child from using external browsers to surf the internet.

4 Tip: Using AOL Profiles If you are in an AOL chat room and want to learn more about another AOL member, you can use the Find People option from the People Connection page on AOL. There you can access the AOL member directory and search for a member's profile, or search all the AOL profiles to find people with a particular hobby, occupation, location, and so forth Category: AOL Customer Service Subcategory: AOL Customer Service Tips Tip: AOL Customer Support Phone Number Finding the AOL customer support number can be tricky. First select the "Help" option on your AOL toolbar and select "AOL Help". You will then be taken to the help center where you will see, at the very top right corner of the page (when you are facing the screen), a small link that says "Contact Us". When you select that link, a pop-up will display on your screen which lists all of your customer support options. If you are looking for the AOL customer support line specifically, the number is Tip: AOL Help by Phone You can connect to America Online using a variety of methods and devices. One of the most popular is using a dial-up modem, but these connections can be cranky sometimes. If you are unable to get connected, the problem may be due to your modem or access phone number settings. The AOL software can help you select the best access number and automatically choose the correct settings for your modem, but if you still have trouble getting connected, AOL help is always available 24/7 by phone from their technical support center. Tip: Cancelling Your AOL Call Alert Subscription To cancel your AOL call alert subscription simply call from 8AM to 1AM EST to speak to a representative that is qualified to cancel your subscription. Tip: How to Get Help on AOL The AOL Help Community is a section where members can access help from other members. There are very useful quick help guides that walk you through the basics of using message boards, , AOL chat, instant message, virus protection, spam blocking and many other subjects. You can even take short classes online to become a

5 true AOL power user. Tip: Need to Contact AOL? If you are an AOL client in need of AOL Customer service, you have several options. For AOL Access Numbers, call: For Help with your AOL Account, your internet connection, or for other support issues, call: You can also find AOL Customer Service support online and via . Category: AOL Subcategory: AOL Tips Tip: Adding An AOL Address To Microsoft Outlook 2002 If you need to add an AOL address to Microsoft Outlook 2002, follow these steps: Launch your outlook software, select your tools menu, select " Accounts", select "Add A New Account", select "Next", select "IMAP", select "Next", fill in the "Your Name" box with your name or nickname, type in your full AOL address in the " Address" box, type in your AOL address without the "@aol.com" into the "User Name" box, type your AOL password into the "Password" box, type "imap.aol.com" in the "Incoming Mail Server (IMAP)" box, type "smtp.aol.com" in the "Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)" box, select "More Settings", select "Outgoing Server", checkmark the "My outgoing server requires authentication" option, select "Use same settings as my incoming mail server", select "Advanced", type 587 in the "Outgoing Mail (SMTP)" box, select "OK", select "Next", and then select "Finish". Tip: AOL Security AOL is simultaneously one of the most useful and potentially the most dangerous feature on AOL. This is because files attached to are the greatest source of viruses and other malevolent pieces of software. AOL mail home has lots of tips on how to protect yourself from viruses, trojan horse programs and other hazards of online life. Tip: AOL Security Attaching files to AOL mail is a great way to send documents, pictures, music or whatever. It's also a great way to get a virus or trojan horse program. Using default settings AOL mail will warn you of this before your download an attached file. The safest rule of thumb is never, ever download an attached file if you do not know who the sender is.

6 Tip: AOL Mail Help Every once in a great while you'll get a message when you check AOL mail that says the AOL mail system is unavailable. Not to worry. AOL's mail system needs periodic upgrades and maintenance. During these normally brief periods of time you will not be able to see your online . Wait a little while and try again. Tip: Blocking An Address Blocking an address that you do not want to receive messages from is easy. Simply select the "Keyword" option on your AOL toolbar and select "Go To Keyword". A box will appear on your screen, at which time you will type in "Mail Controls" and select the "OK" button. When your Mail and Spam controls window pops up, select "Edit" by the Sender Filter and then select "Use A Custom Sender". Once there, type in the name of the address you want to block and then select "Add". Click "Save" on that window and the two windows that are behind it and your settings should be ready to go! Tip: How To Find Out If Has Been Read By Another AOL Member If you are an AOL member and you send an to an AOL member, you can tell if the message has been by clicking on your mailbox icon, selecting the "Sent" tab, highlighting the in question, and then clicking the "Status" button. You will then be told if the message was read and when it was read. This will also let you know if the address you sent the to is currently in use. Tip: Recovering AOL After 60 Days Once AOL automatically deletes any mail that has been in your AOL mail box too long, there is no way for you to recover it. The only way to recover deleted is if you delete it yourself and then restore it before it is taken from your "recently deleted" mail section. Tip: Using AOL Web mail To access AOL web mail, you need to use your regular AOL screen name. Go to the AOL website and use you screen name and password to sign in. Then click on the Mail icon to check your AOL . Tip: Using AOL Web mail AOL software is obviously the best way to check your AOL mail, but if you're away from your computer and you don't have AOL forwarded to a wireless device, you can use any internet-connected terminal to check your using AOL web mail. Even your personal address book is available if you need to catch up on your correspondence.

7 Tip: What To Do If You Are Having Trouble Sending AOL There are three solutions that one may try if they are experiencing trouble sending from their AOL account. First, try an AOL Quick Restore. To do this, first select your "Start" button, then select "Programs" or "All Programs", then select "America Online", and select "AOL System Information". Once you have done this, select the "OK" button for AOL 9.0 Security Edition or the "Utilities" button for AOL 9.0 Optimized. Once that is done, select the "Quick Restore" option. Then select the "OK" button for AOL 9.0 Security Edition or the "Proceed" button for AOL 9.0 Optimized. Then select "OK", close the box, and sign on to your AOL account. Second, you can try to re-detect your connection. To do this, log off (if currently on the internet)and go to your AOL sign on screen. Once there, select the "Sign On Options" button, select "Expert Setup", select you location, select "Delete", and then select "OK". Repeat this until all of your locations are deleted. Close the options box, at which time you should be back at the sign on screen. Press "Sign On" to enable yourself to re-select your locations. Third, you may want to try your computer. To restart your computer simply select your "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" keys all at once. When a box pops up, press all three keys again. Category: AOL Games Subcategory: AOL Game Tips Tip: AOL Games Features The game network on AOL games is a special place where you can download tons of free games or play unlimited online games. You can also download free movies, music. TV shows, software and more. All downloads have been checked and cleared for viruses and trojan horses. Category: AOL Hometown Subcategory: AOL Hometown Tips Tip: Your Own AOL Hometown Journal Once you set up your own journal on America Online Hometown, there's no reason to restrict yourself to a page full of nothing but text. You can customize your journal pages to have different colors and patterns in the background, and incorporate all kinds of graphics. AOL Hometown recommends that you start with a simple journal at first if your new to web journals, and then add more features and art as your journal grows and develops.

8 Tip: Your Own AOL Hometown Page If you want to set up your own web site, AOL Hometown has the tools you need. You can select from a variety of templates, complete with graphics to express yourself, talk about your hobbies, family, friends, pets... whatever you want. The AOL Hometown Easy Designer makes the process simple and easy to do even if you've never created a web page before in your life. Category: AOL Instant Messenger Subcategory: AIM Tip: AOL AIM Buddy Icons Buddy Icons are small pictures AOL Instant Messenger users assign to their screen names to reflect their personality. AOL AIM has hundreds of different Buddy icons from which to choose when you decide to customize your AOL IM look. Tip: AOL AIM Video Messaging The latest versions of AOL Instant Messenger now feature Video IM. Now, not only can you chat with your friends & family, you can actually put real-time video to the IMs. Video IM draws video from your webcam and the video is shown as part of your AOL IM experience. Tip: How To Disable AOL IM Catcher To disable your AOL IM Catcher simply click the "Setup" button that is displayed on your Buddy List window, then select the "IM Settings" button, select the "General Buddy tab, un-select the box that reads "Use The IM Catcher Organizer to Capture IMs From Unknown Senders" (this should be the very last box), and then select the "Save" button to save your new settings. Tip: Using AOL Instant Messenger Some people like AOL Instant Messenger service so much they decide to become AOL members. You can bring your AOL AIM screen name with you when you sign up. While you're registering your AOL account, just make sure to select the "You are an AOL Instant Messenger user and you want to create an AOL account" option to convert your AIM Screen Name to an AOL account.

9 Category: AOL Members Subcategory: America Online Members Tip: AOL by Phone AOL by Phone is a new premium service available to America Online members for a modest additional fee. If you are using the phone line to access AOL, a special message box will not only tell you if someone is calling on that line, but will read the caller ID and let you know who it is. Tip: AOL Member Directory The AOL members directory lets you search for other America Online members with whom you have something in common. Use the AOL keyword members to display the search window where you can select the search criteria and run your search. Tip: Ask-a-Teacher for AOL Members The number one reason parents buy computers is to support their kids' educational needs, and AOL can help. One of the most popular AOL member features is Ask-a-teacher, where kids can communicate with real teachers either by live chat or to get assistance with their homework. There is also a vast knowledge database of answers from other students, where you might find the answer without having to ask. Tip: How To Retrieve Your AOL Master Screen Name Or Password If you have lost any other AOL screen name or password other than your AOL master screen name or password, you can easily log on to your master screen name to retrieve a screen name or change a password. However, if you lose your AOL master screen name or password, you will need to call AOL customer support at and answer various security questions to be able to gain access to your account again. Category: AOL Music Subcategory: AOL Music Downloads Tip: Using AOL Music Online Some portions of AOL music feature a "Browse by Attribute" option. The Browse by Attribute feature is related to the AOL Instant Recommendations where you can search for similar artists and albums based on specific attributes, such as vocal matches, musical styles, and more. You select the attributes, and AOL music will help you find

10 similar music. Tip: Using AOL Music Online When you come right down to it, there is no substitute for live music. AOL music is a good source for concert and tour tickets purchased through AOL music online. And if you happen to have tickets to a concert that you can't use, you can use StubHub to find a buyer for your tickets. Tip: Using AOL Music Online AOL music carries ratings of artists as well as albums. You can share your opinion about a particular artist by rating them. A rating option is available on the artist's Main page. To locate a particular artist, you can search for them using the Music Search feature. Click on the "You Rate It" link and fill in the necessary information. Most ratings are posted immediately; however, they may take up to hours to display. Tip: Using AOL Music Online AOL music's vast Archive of thousands of songs, videos and Sessions@AOL performances is a fantastic tool for music lovers. Enter the Archive, by clicking on the "Artists" menu on the top of any Music channel page and select "Artists A-Z." Select a music category and an artist. When the results appear, choose from among the videos, songs or performances listed on the right. Songs with a "speaker" icon include a sound file; AOL music videos show a "movie camera" icon. Click the blue "Play" button to play. Tip: Using AOL Music Online Consumer reviews have become a huge part of online commerce. AOL music provides ways for members to post their own album reviews. You can write and post a review directly from an album's Reviews page. To locate a particular album, search for it using the Music Search feature. From the album's Main page, click the Reviews tab, and fill in the appropriate fields. Category: AOL News Subcategory: AOL News Tips Tip: Sports on AOL News The sports section on AOL news contains a vast amount of information, most of which is probably not of interest to you. You can personalize your AOL sports page to reflect your specific interests. From the main sports page, look for the My Scoreboard

11 window and click the Edit button to configure it for your favorite teams. Click on the My Pro Teams tab and the Edit button next to it to do the same for news about your favorite team. Category: AOL Personals Subcategory: AOL Personal Ads Tip: Creating Your Best Online Personal Dating Ad When selecting or preparing a photo for your AOL Personals profile, take some time to adjust the color and resolution, cut, rotate, adjust the size, crop... whatever you can to make the photo sparkle. If you aren't handy with photo enhancement software, find someone who is. It'll pay off later on. Category: AOL Platforms Subcategory: AOL Broadband Tip: AOL Broadband and Home Networks The Netgear Powerline Ethernet Adapter uses the electrical outlets in your home and the wiring between them to easily link additional PCs to your existing home network. Great for networking your online-ready game consoles to a fast, steady AOL broadband connection. Tip: AOL Broadband Security Having AOL Broadband on a high-speed connection only increases the possibility of your kids surfing where they ought not. AOL's Guardian service can help you know where your kids are going on the web. Turn on (keyword: guardian) Guardian to receive an report each time your child signs off AOL. Category: AOL Search Subcategory: AOL Search Engine Tip: AOL Search Features When using AOL search you may find yourself not knowing where to start. AOL Search offers category browsing where you can look at subject areas to see where to start, just

12 as a library has books organized by subjects for browsing. From the AOL Search main page, click on the Website Directory link. Tip: Downloading AOL Computer Check-Up If your computer is running slow and you are an AOL member, you can download AOL Computer Check-Up to help you solve the problem. To do this select "Keyword" from your AOL toolbar options and then select "Go to AOL Keyword". A box will appear on your screen, at which time you will type in "Checkup" and select the "OK" button. Once you are taken to the website, select "Download Computer Check-Up" and then select "Open". Once the instillation is complete, you can launch AOL computer check-up to help resolve your issue. Tip: Find it with AOL Search AOL Search can carry out searches exclusively for images. With AOL image search you can find millions of photos and pictures fast. Featured searches--popular searches available through a special link--are also available for AOL image search. Tip: Solutions To Slow Browsing On AOL There are three solutions that one may try if they are experiencing slow Internet browsing through their AOL connection. First, you can try AOL Auto Fix. To do this go to keyword "Fix It", select "Problems with the AOL Web Browser", then follow the instructions when prompted to delete temporary Internet files, rebuild AOL Adapter, and repair Internet Explorer. Second, you may want to try closing any programs you have open or restarting your computer. To simply restart your computer select your "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" keys all at once. When a box pops up, press all three keys again. To close all other programs, select your "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" keys all at once. When a box pops up, select the "End Task" button until all programs in the box are gone except for AOL. Third, you can try to re-detect your connection. To do this, log off (if currently on the internet)and go to your AOL sign on screen. Once there, select the "Sign On Options" button, select "Expert Setup", select you location, select "Delete", and then select "OK". Repeat this until all of your locations are deleted. Close the options box, at which time you should be back at the sign on screen. Press "Sign On" to enable yourself to re-select your locations. Category: AOL White Pages Subcategory: AOL White Pages Tips Tip: Reverse Lookup on AOL White Pages

13 AOL White Pages' reverse lookup capability also lets you look up a zip code and find the city it refers to, or do the same thing with a telephone area code. You can also match an international dialing code with its country or region, or match an address to a name.