Connection problem...

[Pissin' Poonani]

...although for once, it's not mine.

My parents are signed up with AOL, and all of a sudden they can't connect to the internet. I'd put money on it not being their fault, as they rarely use the computer and aren't the sort of people to go messing around in files and programmes that they don't need to be in.

What happens is this: they launch the AOL browser, stick in their password, and then they get a message saying they can't connect because the 'DNS SERVER IS UNREACHABLE'.

It then comes up with a window saying that Norton has been detected, and that it may be blocking AOL's access to the internet. It then goes on to say that I need to find (and in this case, manually add) four files (waol.exe, aoltpspd.exe, AOLacsd.exe and AOLDial.exe), and set their status to 'Permit all', which I've done. This hasn't solved it, neither has turning Norton off completely.

They connect via a wireless modem, although that seems to be working fine.

I thought I'd see if you guys had any ideas, before I go through the hell that is AOL customer services.

Cheerios.

[Brendocon]

My parents are signed up with AOL

That's the problem, right there!

... yeah, I'm useless...

[Pissin' Poonani]

My parents are signed up with AOL

That's the problem, right there!

... yeah, I'm useless...

Dude, you're Batman. This kind of stuff should be childs-play for you.

[Batman]

He's not Batman. I'm Batman.

The problem is almost certainly AOL. Norton's blocking AOL, therefore they need to be connecting with something that isn't AOL. Thus negating the issue of AOL being blocked.

So says Batman. Because I'm Batman.

[Legion]

I thought I'd see if you guys had any ideas

Uninstall AOL?

Seriously tho, has anything changed in the computer's setup recently? New Anti-Virus, a driver update?

It could just be AOL having a freaky five minutes with their DNS server.

[Pissin' Poonani]

I thought I'd see if you guys had any ideas

Uninstall AOL?

Seriously tho, has anything changed in the computer's setup recently? New Anti-Virus, a driver update?

Not that I'm aware of-although there are driver updates waiting to be installed, I just didn't bother installing them because I wanted to get the problem sorted first.

It just seems strange that it reckons Norton is the problem, yet turning Norton off doesn't solve anything.

[Legion]

It just seems strange that it reckons Norton is the problem, yet turning Norton off doesn't solve anything.

AOL likes to point the finger sometimes, in an attempt to make others look bad. Although Norton does have the habit of tampering with a lot of system files - i'm not sure that just switching it off will undo that - but i think it unlikely that it would, all of a sudden, totally prevent AOL from finding the DNS server.

[Pissin' Poonani]

Okey dokey.

After hours of faffing around trying different stuff, I managed to get online (I used Firefox instead of the AOL browser) and after that I repaired the AOL adaptor which sorted the problem (kind of-AOL give you a free 'computer check up' programme that checks your comp for errors and then fixes them for you-I tried to run that as a back up and got a "you are not permitted to...blah, blah, blah..." message). Point is, my parents can now sign on using the AOL wotsit, so yay.

Just to clear somethings up if you folks could help though:

I assume that they are only required to sign on through AOL if they want to take advantage of the features the AOL browser offers them, and that otherwise they can surf the net using any other browser without even having to bother with the AOL one? I know that sounds stupidly obvious, but not being fluent at all in computing, I like to make sure, especially as...

...they have a wireless connection. As far as I know, the encryption is working fine, but short of getting another wireless enabled laptop in their house to see if it can use their connection, is there a way to test that their connection is secure?

Cheers guys.

[Pissin' Poonani]

Thought I'd use this topic, rather than start a new one:

anyone know where I can download free, but good, firewall software?

[Guest]

http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm

I use Kerio, although I believe some of the functionality available in my version is no longer available in newer version for free (bleedin' Sygate takeover!).

I've also heard good things about ZoneAlarm, but that's not free anymore, and BlackIce.

Ones I've tried but not got on with include Agnitum and Sygate (not to be confused with Kerio).


Go with one you feel seems straightforward and not too techie-orientated for you. You can always remove* it and install another one if you don't like it.

* If You're Lucky!

[Pissin' Poonani]

Cheers mate.

I tried Kerio, but it won't work with Windows ME, so I'll peruse the list tomorrow when I'm not so tired.

Stupid thing is that AOL have offered me Norton firewall for free, I'm just put off by Norton saying they'll keep my credit card details-gives me a horrible feeling that I'll one day in the near future find myself being charged by them because, "oops, our terms and conditions have changed and it's no longer free-did you not get our email?..."

Once again, thanks.

[Guest]

Windows ME? Ouch!

I'd upgrade the OS to something a bit less prone to crashes due to application failures, such as 2K or XP, which are also a little quicker to recover from too due to their faster integrated bootups.

[Gekigengar]

I'll try a crack at this, without the cynicism. It's been a long time since I used Norton.

The simple:

1: If you have not payed for Norton, uninstall the software, and if you need the software reinstall it again.
2: If Norton request that you have AOL and it's supporting software "blocked" or "unblocked", choose "unblocked".

The "let's go through the list of blocked software from Norton routine, because it's one of the software needed for security, or it's paid for" technique.

1: Launch the control panel for Norton, and locate the options for Norton Firewall.
2: Locate the list of blocked software by Norton.
3: Unblocked the software "related to" or "used by" AOL.
4: If you do not feel like going through each program one by one, clean the block list and have Norton recompile the block list as each program "connects to" or "access" the internet and PC. Just remember to "block" the appropriate software as they appear.

If you must have a firewall, either download/install free ZoneAlarm or buy the professional version (IMO well worth the money), you can literally choose the way certain programs act as it tries to access the net.

For Antivirus try PC-Cillin.

If you need a new OS, download the Linux OS by Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/ ; featured online at CNET TV, or go to your local computer dealer and buy the OEM Windows XP Home or Media edition.

[Pissin' Poonani]

I don't understand these things.

My laptop effectively died a week ago-I've tried turning it on several times a a day on the off chance, and I even took it apart to clean it and make sure everything was connected properly, but still nothing.

I turn it on tonight and thump it, and it comes on. Although this has made me very happy, I still have no clue as to what is causing this to happen, and I have a feeling that hitting it to make it work may not be very smart in the long run (especially as I'm smacking the plastic case right above the hard-drive to get it to work).

Ah well.

[Gekigengar]

sorry for the late post.

1: How old is the laptop? There might be airflow problems because the way it was built, or the fan might be dieing, bad memory, processor overheating, hd giving way to age, etc... or something overlooked, battery not fully charged.

2: Do you place the machine over a cloth based surface or a solid surface?
If over a cloth surface such as a blanket, rug, etc. the slitted openings on the side of your comp might be covered and airflow would be restricted within the case, so no hot air will escape and may cause your system to heat up even more.

3: Back-up everything that you may consider useful, especially your "bookmarks/Favorites", pics, etc. for when that HD goes, so does everything else.

[Pissin' Poonani]

sorry for the late post.

1: How old is the laptop? There might be airflow problems because the way it was built, or the fan might be dieing, bad memory, processor overheating, hd giving way to age, etc... or something overlooked, battery not fully charged.

2: Do you place the machine over a cloth based surface or a solid surface?
If over a cloth surface such as a blanket, rug, etc. the slitted openings on the side of your comp might be covered and airflow would be restricted within the case, so no hot air will escape and may cause your system to heat up even more.

3: Back-up everything that you may consider useful, especially your "bookmarks/Favorites", pics, etc. for when that HD goes, so does everything else.

The laptop must be about 6 years old-I always have it on a solid surface when I use it, so that it doesn't overheat.

The only thing that's been obviously dodgy about it for years, is that the battery doesn't hold a charge (and can't be charged either-there are 3 lights on the front of the laptop: one to show that it's on, one to show it's charging and the last one to show that it's connected to the mains-the charging one will blink, stay on for a few seconds then go out). The only conclusion I could come to (based on my own idiot logic, you understand, and not at all on research into the problem) is that maybe, even if it's plugged directly into the mains, the laptop requires some kind of initial charge from the battery, and it's just a case of at certain points the battery runs completely dead, and takes an age to build up a little bit of charge that is enough to get things going again.

It did used to crash a lot, but I put that down to the pitiful amount of memory it has, versus the amount of stuff I have on it.

Oh, and the evil that is AOL, obviously.

[Gekigengar]

Well, I can't help you're choice of ISPs, if you are not on their monthly contracted plan (like I am, and not using it), try using their free version.

Is the connection tight or loose when you connect the AC Adapter to the AC plugin of the laptop?

What's the make and model of your laptop, you might be able to find answers from their site about the "no-charge" problem concerning your laptop battery.

Checkout a couple of local computer shows in your hometown, "there might" be a couple of service techs that volunteer to give free diagnostics and hardware help... almost free, you still have to pay an entry free to go to on of the computer shows.