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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> HELP  Internet trouble
        
(Message started by: Callico_Kid on Aug 6^th, 2004, 1:04am)

Title: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Callico_Kid on Aug 6^th, 2004, 1:04am

I recently left AOL after they screwed up my account and my computer, and now I cannot get AOL completely off of my computer. I am unable to download any files, install any programming, and about half of the time I get an AOL error message whenever I try to get on here. After fighting with them for the last several nights they tell me I have to contact Compaq and have them tell me how to get rid of AOL and/or reformat my computer. The problem with that is that I cannot back anything up!I either get an error message saying AOL error the main . idx database file is damaged, or else I get a message saying aol.exe is not available.

I have deleted everything AOL that I can find on the computer, but some files keep returning. Can anyone help? I really don't have $40 to spend with Compaq for Tech Support right now.

Thanks. I hope it will allow me to post this this time.

Jerry

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by E-Double on Aug 6^th, 2004, 1:21am

Sorry to tell ya IT will never come off!!
one of those programs that will just remain

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by psycofemale0403 on Aug 6^th, 2004, 1:37am

Have you tried to do a system restore? My hubby says to restore your computer back to a date before you installed aol. He says this will not delete or change any of your personal files i.e. pics, music, porn, ;) what ever!!! lmfao! It will only delete programs installed. Hope this will help. Sorry if it does not. I tried.

~ Lisa

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Ronny on Aug 6^th, 2004, 1:54am

Hi,

I think the only way to get rid of AOL is a format c:
You can get rid of it by fiddling the register but its a lot easier to reformat and reinstall. Dont forget to backup first or put data on a second harddisk. You can also split your hd ( c: and d:) and put files on d: and reformat c:

Its a bit of work but afterwards your computer runs so much smoother.
Ronny.

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Svenn on Aug 6^th, 2004, 2:05am

if you have a cd-copier or can loan 1 from a buddy take the backup on there.an external would be the easyest way

Safest way is to do a format C

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by bluesunshine on Aug 6^th, 2004, 2:30am

Hi jerry,

I know computer problems are really a pain in the ass, but if you work hard and put a lot of time (yeah, precious time that could be used for something more fun [smiley=damncomputer.gif]), you can learn a lot too.

I think that AOL traces is messing up the registry. I made a little google search for you:

one that have the similar problem
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/110964.html

try to install that program:
http://www.download.com/3302-2086_4-10292196.html

about the .idx file:

http://filext.com/detaillist.php?extdetail=IDX

Google is a good tool to find answers [smiley=damncomputer.gif]

hope it will give you some hints

blue

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by bluesunshine on Aug 6^th, 2004, 2:46am

Other options:

If you don't have anything to back up your stuff (ex. CD-R) and have a big enough HD, you could make a dual boot on another partition (that mean to install two operating system on a single HD). Search google for " dual boot".

That way, you could get rid of the old one and be able to transfer your stuff on the second one (only documents, music, films, photos, etc.)

Or spend that 40$ on a CR-RW and make a back-up of your precious data, format C: and re-install windows and all your programs.

The second option is more pain free.

And never touch again AOL (that is good to everybody)

blue

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Callico_Kid on Aug 6^th, 2004, 3:31am

Thanks for the input. I have a CD writer, but the problem I am having is that AOL will ot let me back-up any files at all. Everytime I try to do anything I get an error message and can't get past it. I'll check out some of the links if it will let me. Right now I'm having trouble just staying on here, and sometimes I can't even get on to PeoplePC without several tries.

I guess this is the way I get a computer education, which I sorely need.

Thanks.
jc

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 6^th, 2004, 5:52am

Hey,

What ever you do...DON'T REFORMAT YOUR C: DRIVE!!!!! [smiley=sayno.gif]

Don't you have any 'computer friend' that could help you? There are ways to get rid of that shit. It's to complicated to explain here and I whish I could be there to help you :(!

If you want to e-mail me, I'll do my best (could maybe do it over the phone too).

Robert
:D

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by jhammer on Aug 6^th, 2004, 8:15am

I just encountered a similar problem while visiting my mother...she's hooked on AOL and thinks the world will stop spinning without it. The problem was, it eventually prevented the computer from booting all together.

To ameliorate the problem:

Click on your start button and select the 'Run' command (assuming you are using a Windows OS). When the little window pops-up delete whatever is in there and type 'msconfig' (without the quotes) and press the enter key. Another dialog box will pop-up, go to the last tab on the right, it should be labeled 'Startup'. This is where AOHell gets started everytime you boot your machine. Uncheck any of the check boxes that have anything to do with AOL and then apply your changes. You'll have to restart your computer after doing this. When you machine comes back up you'll be greeted with yet another dialog box alerting you to the fact that you have made some changes. Towards the bottom of that dialog box there is a little checkbox, check it and press the 'OK' button. That should do it...hopefully.

Hope this helps...PM me if you still have problems.

~Jake

Oh yeah...this information comes without a guarentee or warranty or any of that typical disclaimer stuff.

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 6^th, 2004, 11:09am

BROADBAND BABY

http://cluster.home.insightbb.com/bbspeed.jpg

If you are running XP ... they is a program that is called an "Optimizer" that will clean / remove files ( a 3 swipe process ) and clean the register. I bet it would get rid of that pesky AOL !!

PS. Dial up sucks ! If you ever get high speed ... you'll never go back !

Unsolved

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Root on Aug 6^th, 2004, 11:41am

After you get done with Jhammers advice. You might wish to run a Regisrty Cleaner. I have a couple for different MS flavors. Only a 400 K program. So if you wish PM me with an e-mail address and I'll send them along. You could download them on a friends machine to a floppy disk. Then run it on yours from the floppy.
Might help.

This comes with no warranty in the hopes it proves usefull, and all the rest of the legal mumbo jumbo. [smiley=deal2.gif]

[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Aug 6^th, 2004, 11:54am

on 08/06/04 at 11:09:11, UN_SOLVED wrote:

BROADBAND BABY

If you are running XP ... they is a program that is called an "Optimizer" that will clean / remove files ( a 3 swipe process ) and clean the register. I bet it would get rid of that pesky AOL !!

Please tell me that you are not referring to Internet Optimizer.

This program is spyware.
Here's a couple links about it.

http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/library/internetoptimizer/index.phtml

http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/InternetOptimizer.html

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 6^th, 2004, 2:40pm

Well...maybe "Internet Optimizer" is spyware.
But you can download many useful (non-spyware) programs from ZDNET.COM that will clean the registery and do other nice things ;;D

http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3150-2086-0.html?tag=dir

Unsolved

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Aug 6^th, 2004, 3:13pm

Ad-Aware 6.0 works for me.

I'm using it on about 450 systems right now to keep them clean.

I don't know how much good it will do with the mess that AOL leaves behind though.

http://www.lavasoft.de

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 6^th, 2004, 4:22pm

on 08/06/04 at 15:13:54, ExplodingEyeBall wrote:

Ad-Aware 6.0 works for me.
http://www.lavasoft.de

As a matter of fact, that's what i'm currently using.

Unsolved

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by alleyoop on Aug 6^th, 2004, 5:06pm

Yea, I use Lavasoft's Ad-Aware 6.0 and back it up with Webroot's SpySweeper. No spyware on this puter!

................................alley ;;D

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 6^th, 2004, 7:54pm

Quote:

Ad-Aware 6.0 works for me

Quote:

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware 6.0

Come on guys! SPYBOT rocks!!!

Robert

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Jimi on Aug 6^th, 2004, 7:57pm

I use Spybot AND Ad-aware 6.0 so there :P

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Cerberus on Aug 7^th, 2004, 9:00pm

pssst hey ...Jerry AOL SUX!

Anyhow, my advice is find an external source and do a massive data dump to another machine or other source. Then wipe the sucker clean and start over. You can retrieve the valuable stuff afterwards.

Ramon

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by E-Double on Aug 7^th, 2004, 9:49pm

on 08/06/04 at 19:54:09, Robert_C. wrote:

Come on guys! SPYBOT rocks!!!

Robert

Spy bot also got rid of some things I needed. Go figure.
Then I was left with some "runner errors" everytime I start it up.
Too much crap on the putah!

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by Opus on Aug 8^th, 2004, 1:34am

on 08/07/04 at 21:49:33, E-Double wrote:

Spy bot also got rid of some things I needed. Go figure.
Then I was left with some "runner errors" everytime I start it up.
Too much crap on the putah!

Spybot backs up what it removes, you should be able to restore the programs and get rid of the runtime errors. You do have to becareful as a lot of drivers contain spyware and things can get messed up if they are removed. The best thing to do in these cases is to leave the driver spyware and just block thoes programs from going online with a firewall.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: HELP Internet trouble
Post by RevDeFord on Aug 8^th, 2004, 9:00am

Right click on the start button. Double left click on Programs, Double left click on Startup. Delete anything AOL.

Left click on the start button. Left click on Run. Type regedit

left click the plus sign by HKey Local Machine. scroll down to software and left click the plus sign. scroll down to Microsoft and left click the plus sign. scroll down to windows and click the plus sign. left click the plus sign by CurrentVersion. scroll down to Run and and left click on the Run folder. In the right window, delete any reference to AOL. Left click on Runonce and delete any reference to AOL in the right window.

Reboot

Run a registry cleaner and you should be good to go.