AOL will now install files in order to connect

Solutions

• Uninstall AOL® Connectivity Services
• Uninstall, and then reinstall the AOL® software
• Set Internet Explorer® to never dial a connection

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Uninstall AOL Connectivity Services

If you are using a broadband connection, skip to Download the ACS Fix. If using a dial-up connection, follow the steps below.

The AOL Connectivity Service (ACS) is responsible for getting the AOL software connected to the AOL® service. Uninstalling ACS will allow a fresh copy of the files to be installed.

• To uninstall ACS through AOL® System Information
• To uninstall ACS for Windows® Vista®

To uninstall ACS through AOL System Information:
1. Click Start, select All Programs or Programs, select AOL, and then click AOL System Information.
2. Click the AOL Software tab, and then click Open Data Folder. This will open the Application Data\AOL window.
3. Leave the Application Data\AOL window open. In the upper right of the AOL System Information 2.0 window, click X to close it.
4. Open the Control Panel window.

• If using Windows XP, click Start, and then click Control Panel.

  Note: If Control Panel is set to Category View in Windows XP, click the Performance and Maintenance icon.

• If using Windows 2000, click Start, select Settings, and then click Control Panel.

5. Double-click the Administrative Tools icon
6. Double-click the Services icon.
7. Under the list of services, right-click AOL Connectivity Service, and then click Stop.
8. In the upper right of the Services window, click X to close it.
9. Click X in the upper right of the Administrative Tools window to close it.
10. In the Application Data\AOL window that was left open, in the Folders panel, double-click the ACS folder.
11. Double-click the 1.0 folder.
12. Click the Edit menu, and then click Select All.
13. Click the File menu, and then click Delete.
14. Click Yes to confirm the deletion of all the files.
15. In the upper right of the 1.0 window, click X to close it. Repeat this step until all open windows are closed, then double-click the AOL icon to launch the AOL software. Follow the onscreen prompts to set up the connection.

Note: Launch the AOL software as you would normally do. The ACS files will be automatically reinstalled. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your connection.

If you are still getting the error message, skip to Uninstall, and then reinstall the AOL software.

To uninstall ACS for Windows® Vista®:
1. Click Start, and then click Computer.
2. Double-click the Local Disk (C:) icon.
3. Double-click the Program Files folder.
4. Double-click the Common Files folder.
5. Double-click the AOL folder.
6. Double-click the acs folder.
7. Double-click the uninst file.
8. Click OK.
9. Click Start, click the arrow next to Lock the computer (requires password to unlock), and then click Restart.
10. Once the computer has restarted, right-click the AOL icon, and then click Run as administrator.
11. Click Continue. If prompted, restart your computer.

Note: Launch the AOL software as you would normally do. The ACS files will be automatically reinstalled. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your connection.

If you are still getting the error message, skip to Uninstall, and then reinstall the AOL software.

Download the ACS Fix:
1. Go to http://aol.com/dialerfix.
2. Click the Click to Download Now.
3. Click Run.
4. Click Run again. The ACS fix will be downloaded on your computer.
5. Launch the AOL software.

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Uninstall, and then reinstall the AOL software

Uninstalling the AOL software removes all damaged and non-repairable files. Once uninstallation is complete, reinstalling a new copy of the AOL software is quick and easy.

Check out the online help article entitled Uninstall the AOL® Software to uninstall and reinstall the AOL software.

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Set Internet Explorer to never dial a connection

By setting Internet Explorer to never dial a connection, neither the AOL software nor other connection programs will automatically be launched when a program requests access to the Internet.

Check out the online help article entitled Set Internet Explorer to Never Dial a Connection.