I'm desperate for help... (Computer/AOL issues)

The depths of AO-Hell ^ | 6/6/2005 | Me

[PurVirgo]

I know, this isn't exactly politically or socially oriented, but I've exhausted the web for help, and you guys are my last resort.

I'm trying to figure out why I can't print ANYTHING from AOL... I can open a page in another browswer or save a picture elsewhere and print with no problems whatsoever, but when trying to use the "Print" button from within AOL, I get nothing.

I've searched all over AOL's website, googled every combination of "AOL" + "Print" you can imagine, and I get nothing. (Well, except for other people who seem to have the same problem, albeit with no solution).

ANY kind of advice would greatly be appreciated. (Save for switching ISPs... it's not my computer :D)

[Dashing Dasher]

The biggest problem with AOL!!!

Spyware, Adware, it's ridiculous!

A friend had such a problem with pop-ups on AOL - she just stopped using her computer.

It's a travesty!

Good luck...

[Golden Eagle]

Solution: Remove AOL. Always worked for me on systems with similar problems.

[Dinsdale]

Your problem is right in the thread title.

Get rid of AOL and you will have a better internet, more money in you pocket and people on the net will stop assuming you are a moron (because nothing says 'I'm a moron, kick me' like @aol.com).

[stlnative]

Are you sure that the AOL interface software is up to date? (you know they are always updating it, every time someone tries to log off of AOL)

AOL sucks (but you already know that and it is not your ISP. You are just trying to help someone out who uses AOL.)

[PurVirgo]

she's running the latest version of AOL... Version 9 I believe, the "Security Edition" version (which I might add is total CRAP!!)

[stlnative]

yeah... I can print when I open the site with IE, or if I "save image" and print from a picture editing progie, but not from the AOL interface.

The best thing to do is teach her how to log in and browse AOL without using AOL's interface. Or if she runs into the print problem while using the AOL interface in the future, teach her how reduce AOL to the task bar and how to open up a different browser and then how to paste the URL into the non-AOL browser window. It sounds like the AOL interface software is not up to date or needs to be reloaded into the computer again. Something you deleted when removing the spyware and adware messed up her option to print inside AOL's interface. Thank all the advise I can give you. Good Luck

[KoRn]

I've never used AOL...thank God.

To at least try to answer your question, I'd say there may be some configuration settings for printers in AOL.

I'd call their 'Tech Support' to see if they can get you going.

Another important step would be to simply not use it. You don't need AOL to use the Internet. As a matter of fact I'd say AOL makes the Internet less usable is anything. Particularly for power users.

[stlnative]

Thank = That's

[KoRn]

" Anyone on this list use AOL? I don't."

Never have never will lol.

[indythinker]

You're in luck.

I have had trouble with AOL in the past too. Try this:

sign into AOL, and make sure you can go to a webpage (to ensure you are actually connected)

Minimize all of the AOL windows (the minus sign button on the right side of the window title bar)

Start internet explorer. Avoid any that have AOL in the name. It should be a light blue lower case "e"

go to http://www.aol.com in the navigation bar.

find where it says anything about email on the AOL page.

enter your screen name and password (the same one you use with the AOL application)

Open up the email you want and print it with the internet explorer program (file->print). You should have it.


Although AOL would like you to think your locked into their browser, you're not. You can even use FireFox, which is an alternative to IE. Pretty much all versions of windows support this. AOL gives you the connection, but any other program can use it once you're on!

I'm betting this will work.

[corbe]

When you call AOHell to cancel, get ready for a 20 minute Spiel as to why you are making a mistake. I had to call twice last week for one of my customers and these guys were very, very rude. 3 days later she gets an email on her new Time Warner email account saying thank you for staying with AOL (this after I got a cancel confirmation number which Time Warner wanted before they would switch her). These people are beyond reason. I am certain we will be in contact again when they continue to bill her credit card for $54.99 a month. What a despicable organization. Incidentally these were Americans and not Idian Tech Support.

[stlnative]

If I recall correctly as long as you have an AOL account you can set it up in just about any browser to dial up AOL's phone numbers and to enter your AOL username in password into the other browsers dial-up connection and you never have to look at the AOL interface ever again.

[stylin19a]

Curious where you got that information ?

[PurVirgo]

that's quite alright... I do thank and appreciate you for stepping in so quickly though :)

[N3WBI3]

huh? a computer should be able to run for days, if nto weeks on end without any problems..

[stlnative]

this advise is is everywhere on the Internet...

one example is here (for those who want to know why)
http://support.mhtc.net/faq/shut_down.html

[trisham]

:)

[stylin19a]

actually, what is all over the web is the debate....which has been in debate since before the web.
For every reason you can think of to reboot,
(where you got 8 hours from - who knows)- there is a valid reason NOT to reboot/shutdown.

http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/powerOnOff-c.html

FreepOn

[jdm]

"huh? a computer should be able to run for days, if not weeks on end without any problems."

Agreed. The best thing I've done for my PC over the past year was upgrading to 1GB of memory (vs. the 512MB which came with the machine).

[jdm]

My mom had a similar problem, PurVirgo. When I reinstalled AOL on her machine she could print with no trouble. I would recommend reinstalling AOL if nothing else solves the problem.