If you are using a router and AOL then you DO NOT NEED ANY AOL SOFTWARE ON YOUR PC AT ALL .
Did you buy a router or a router/modem . If you gota router then you need to plug in the BT 109 modem into it .
Heres the e-mail AOL sent me , follow the destructions and it will work .
Dear member,
Thank you for contacting AOL. It is AOL's aim to help you get the best possible online experience, and you can get further assistance every day from 8am to midnight GMT at AOL Keyword: Live Help, and at any time from the dedicated Help channel.
Generic Router Settings
AOL now supports the use of ADSL router on your broadband connection, which allow the sharing of a single DSL line simultaneously between multiple computers.
This e-mail contains AOL essential information for your Unsupported Broadband Router that will be using your AOL Broadband Connection, AOL can provide no further assistance or support while you are setting up or troubleshooting any issues you may have with your broadband router apart from the settings listed below.
When setting up a router, you will be prompted to enter certain details that govern the type of connection you establish. Depending on the hardware setup you have, the method for entering these details will differ however it is likely you will be prompted to enter them during the installation of your router.
Some router installation guides will automatically enter some of these details for you, so it is possible that you will not be prompted for them at all. In other cases the naming of the options will be different so it is advised that if you have problems, please refer to the documentation included with your DSL router.
Below are all the essential settings that AOL use to setup Broadband Routers.
Depending on your router some of these settings may be named differently, please consult your routers documentation if your require assistance when setting it up.
Settings:
Connection Protocol: PPPoA (VCMUX or VCBASED)
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
(VPI/VCI): 0,38
Authentication: CHAP
The Following settings are set to automatic or get automatically from ISP,
On some routers you may have to leave these fields blank:
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
Domain Name Server (DNS) Addresses
MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit): 1400
also known as MRU (Maximum Receive Unit): 1400
also known as MSS (Maximum Segment Size): 1400
Username: (e-mail address removed)
Password: yourpassword
NB: Important information about entering the ScreenName and Password.
Screen Name:
1. The ScreenName must have "@aol.com" to the end of the ScreenName, otherwise the device will not connect.
2. This AOL Screen Name must have General (18+) access. It is this Screen Name that actually establishes the connection (Mature Teen, Young Teen and Kids Only Screen Names will not work for a router connection).
3. The screenname must be in lowercase (no CAPITALS allowed).
Password:
1. The password cannot be longer than eight characters long.
2. The password must consist of letters and numbers only (i.e. no special characters, such as ! £ ? % and spaces).
3. The password must be all lowercase (no CAPITALS allowed).
Wireless Setup:
If you require assistance setting up wireless on your router please consult the documentation that came with your router otherwise contact the manufacturer.
Setting up AOL to connect with your router
And finally, you will find below some useful tips on accessing your AOL account over a Broadband Router connection. You can do this by setting up your AOL software to connect using a TCP/IP connection, otherwise known as Piggybacking.
Setting up AOL to connect via your router using AOL 8.0:
Step 1: First access the Internet through a local ISP or a LAN connection.
Step 2: Open AOL to the sign on screen (Do not sign on at this stage).
Step 3: Click Setup.
Step 4: Select Add or change a modem or other connection device then click on Next.
Step 5: AOL will search for a new way to connect, when searching has finished select TCP/IP.
Step 6: Click Next, you will be asked if you want to sign on to AOL now, make sure 'Sign on to AOL' is ticked and select Next.
Step 7: Congratulations. Now AOL will 'piggyback' on the connection over the Broadband router Connection that has already been established and you can sign on to your AOL account.
Setting up AOL to connect via your router using AOL 9.0:
Step 1: Start AOL but do not sign on at this point. Instead, click Sign On Options on the AOL Sign-On screen.
Step 2: Click on Expert Setup
Step 3: Click Add Location.
Step 4: Type a name for the location in the Location Name box -- for example, 'Router' -- then click Next.
Step 5: Choose Broadband (High-Speed, cable, DSL, or other ISP) and then click Next.
Step 6: Tick Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions... then click Next.
Step 7: Select Automatic Connection, and then click Next.
Step 8: Click Sign on to AOL now, then simply sign on to AOL as usual using any of your AOL Screen Names.
The next time you start the AOL software, you'll notice 'Router' (or whatever name you gave the location) is available as one of the options in the drop-down Location menu on the AOL Sign-On screen (see Step 1). This allows you to easily switch between using a router connection and a different connection (for example, a dial-up modem) if you wish.
Remember
There's a dedicated team of agents trained to answer your questions from 8am to midnight, seven days a week. If you need more information, call 0870 3 20 20 20. See AOL Keyword: SupportMe for details.
Kind Regards,
AOL Member Services.
Please do NOT reply to this email.
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Where it says PPPoA you may need to use the PPPoE options . My Linskys router had no PPPoA options so I used PPPoE settings and it worked fine .
