refused Hijackthis wrong script??

[joal]

:mad: I am not able to open HijackThis [new version] windows says that it will not recoginze script..??
I have a new PC, and had it customized cheap and windows professional came with it.
After several days of exploring it's capabilities, I was hit with something that rewrote all the shield protection and crashed windows, I watched this process, and could not use Ad Aware my favorite in time.
I also have, bought spysweep which is useless,and was using the shield, I have a firewall and anti virus Mc Afee.
It may have written itself into a program, example cache and cookie washer, I tried to get rid of it from add/remove programs.
thanks
joal

[DMR]

1. I have a good copy of HijackThis on my FTP site; download that and see if it runs. If so, post the log file it generates.

2. If you can get online reliably, run the free anti-virus/anti-spyware scans at the following two sites:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

3. Try running Ad Aware while booted into Safe Mode if possible.

[joal]

Thank you, I ran housecall last night but deleted it, I will download Panda, but did get this log hooray
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:13:19 PM, on 2/26/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP3 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltsmon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltpspd.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\VTTimer.exe
C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\WINNT\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLDial.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\110929~1\EE\AOLHOS~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\110929~1\EE\AOLServiceHost.exe
C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
C:\WINNT\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\waol.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\shellmon.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by America Online
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HostManager] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1109296375\EE\AOLHostManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AOLDialer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLDial.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Pure Networks Port Magic] "C:\PROGRA~1\PURENE~1\PORTMA~1\PortAOL.exe" -Run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex] C:\Program Files\Cookie Washer\washidx.exe "Administrator"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe" /0
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AOL Fast Start] "C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\AOL.EXE" -b
O4 - Global Startup: Internet Answering Machine.lnk = C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar search - res://C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll/SEARCH.HTML
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINNT\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.aol.com
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=36467&clcid=0x409
O16 - DPF: {37DF41B2-61DB-4CAC-A755-CFB3C7EE7F40} (AOL Content Update) - http://esupport.aol.com/help/acp2/engine/aolcoach_core_1.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,83/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmgr/en-us/1,0,0,20/mcgdmgr.cab
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online - C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe
O23 - Service: AOL TopSpeed Monitor (AOL TopSpeedMonitor) - America Online, Inc - C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltsmon.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - Unknown owner - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - Networks Associates Technology, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com VirusScan Online Realtime Engine (MCVSRte) - Networks Associates Technology, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINNT\wanmpsvc.exe

[joal]

I got rid of the cache and cookie washer, but can't get rid of this file , I went into add/remove and it still shows
joal

[dlh6213]

I got rid of the cache and cookie washer, but can't get rid of this file , I went into add/remove and it still shows
joal

What file can't you get rid of?

You should go to Windows Update and get the Critical Updates for your system (SP4).

[joal]

Thank you, the file I am referring to is:
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex] C:\Program Files\Cookie Washer\washidx.exe "Administrator".
I have hesitated to update window for two reasons, one is that I am suppose to be getting updates automatically, and two, for some reason, I have many many programs that read..Windows 2000 Hotfix and related files like..$NT uninstall ... etc .
I don't know how they got there, but they have loaded up my programs and files.
I did try to delete some , and did a lousy job it seems.
I have wanted to understand how they are getting there, is my windows automatic update is putting them there???
joal

[dlh6213]

Do you want to get rid of the Cookie Washer program? If so, you should go to Add/Remove Programs in your Control Panel and remove it; then use hijackthis to fix the O4 - HKLM\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex] C:\Program Files\Cookie Washer\washidx.exe "Administrator" entry. and finally, go to C:\Program Files and delete the Cookie Washer folder.

The Hotfixes you mentioned are the patches from your Windows Updates -- you shouldn't delete them. If you're not getting your updates automatically, you should get them manually.

[joal]

groan, I deleted patches... I did remove it from add/remove, but will fix it from HJT
thanks for your patience
joal

[crunchie]

If you can still see that program in add removes, do this too;

Click Start > Run > Type or copy & paste regedit. The registry editor will open.
Then go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and delete the offending entry in the right hand pane.

[joal]

Thank you, I did delete it from the registry, I am wondering if anyone would take a look at the log I submitted.
thank you
joal

[DMR]

Your log is clean, joal.

Was HJT able to fix the "O4 - HKLM\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex]..."entry?

[joal]

yes, the wash index is now gone, and much thanks.
I do have another question, my home page keeps changing, so that I cannot get updates for adaware[lavasoft] and other programs that I need to automatically be connected to the internet for.
I have not suceeded in doing it manually.
Also, each time I try to change my home page and browser settings , it goes to a regisrty key, and am not confident on deleteing it with HJT... any imput greatly appreciated.
joal

[DMR]

1. What's the name/URL of the page that your homepage keeps trying to set itself to?

2. You said: "each time I try to change my home page and browser settings , it goes to a regisrty key...". Do you mean that this is happening when you're trying to make those changes in your Internet Options control panel?? If so, I've never seen the behaviour that you describe (being taken to a registry key).

3. Download and install SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard using the link in my sig below. SpywareGuard actively monitors your system and alerts you when a program does try to make changes to your home page and other settings; SpywareBlaster will prevent many malicious programs which do things like that from installing themselves in the first place.

[joal]

I meant regristry value, I downloaded spyware blaster and it is it is now configured to keep my IE homepage, thanks tons, about to download the spyware guard.
I had spyware blaster before, how could I have forgotten this one...
I appreciate all the help, from the experts,
joal

[DMR]

Thanks.

A) sorry it took me so long to get back to this.

B) are you still having any problems, or do things seem to be OK now?

[joal]

I am still having a problem with my browser being changed, spyguard, spyware blaster and the beta tell me there are attempts to change it, so... I block or deny this action, but it still is changed... included log ...in case
thanks
joal
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:47:58 PM, on 3/15/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP3 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltsmon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltpspd.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\VTTimer.exe
C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\WINNT\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLDial.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\110929~1\EE\AOLHOS~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\110929~1\EE\AOLServiceHost.exe
C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\waol.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\shellmon.exe
C:\WINNT\explorer.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = www.microsoft.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by America Online
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HostManager] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1109296375\EE\AOLHostManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AOLDialer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLDial.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Pure Networks Port Magic] "C:\PROGRA~1\PURENE~1\PORTMA~1\PortAOL.exe" -Run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe" /0
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AOL Fast Start] "C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0a\AOL.EXE" -b
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Internet Answering Machine.lnk = C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar search - res://C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll/SEARCH.HTML
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINNT\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=36467&clcid=0x409
O16 - DPF: {37DF41B2-61DB-4CAC-A755-CFB3C7EE7F40} (AOL Content Update) - http://esupport.aol.com/help/acp2/engine/aolcoach_core_1.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,83/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.av.aol.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmgr/en-us/1,0,0,20/mcgdmgr.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{C9DD08B9-4292-46A6-8FFB-C7BD8488BE8B}: NameServer = 205.188.146.145
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online - C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe
O23 - Service: AOL TopSpeed Monitor (AOL TopSpeedMonitor) - America Online, Inc - C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\TopSpeed\2.0\aoltsmon.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - Unknown owner - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - Networks Associates Technology, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com VirusScan Online Realtime Engine (MCVSRte) - Networks Associates Technology, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINNT\wanmpsvc.exe

[joal]

Do you know if 017 is needed
also the blasted AOL toolbar
Aol is everywhere

[DMR]

1. Your log looks clean to me; I see nothing in it which gives any clue as to what program is trying to change your home page. Is there any more specific information that you get from SpywareGuard or elsewhere that would help us indentify the culprit?

2. The "017" entry is just listing the IP address of the DNS server you are using. The exact IP listed in the 017 entry is an AOL address, so I'd assume it's legit.

3. AOL doesn't have to be everywhere. AOL has fooled a lot of people into thinking that they can't browse the Net without using AOL, but I personally try to wean my clients away from AOL; it's become too bloated, all-pervasive, and problematic for me to recommend using it at all. We don't call it AOHell for nothing. Sure, if AOL is your ISP, you at least have to connect through them to access the Web, but that doesn't mean you have to use their software once you're connected.

[joal]

How does one stay on line and without using their software? I make a living as a researcher, and want to change servers , yet I am not organized and don't know how to notify my clients from years ago , and can't afford to lose one.
I hope to change up the road, and also change browsers.
I appreciate your taking the time to posts the information you have to date.
joal

[caperjack]

How does one stay on line and without using their software?

Im Assuming you mean AOL ! or do you mean the Windows OS Software program .

[joal]

I had a mind set that one could sign on with aol, and somehow modifiy it, meaning not use all it's features.
uh, yes, I meant aol
I want to continue to use it, but would like to keep it contained .....oh well
joal

[caperjack]

I had a mind set that one could sign on with aol, and somehow modifiy it, meaning not use all it's features.
uh, yes, I meant aol
I want to continue to use it, but would like to keep it contained .....oh well
joal

Not sure with AOL but i useto subscribe to a dialup provider that used a software disk to install ,it loaded its settings and stuff and netscape to run ,i use to just go to dialup networking and create a new ,and put in there phone number and my password and use it without loading there software ,not sure if you can with AOL though

[joal]

I will check this out, meanwhile, one other question, how can one uninstall aol and get it all, I know basically to uninstall of course, and check C , yet it is so invasive, I am concerned about getting rid of everybit of it.
thanks ahead of any answer,
joal

[DMR]

i use to just go to dialup networking and create a new ,and put in there phone number and my password and use it without loading there software ,not sure if you can with AOL though

Yes, you can do that with AOL.

Also, AOL has a dialer component of its own which is separate from their whole browser package; you can use the dialer to activate your Internet connection and then use whatever browser you want once the connection is established.

[joal]

Ok, I understand this, and now have a goal to change browsers.
Thanks all for this imput, and for all help
joal

[DMR]

You're wecome joal. Feel free to ask if you have further questions. :)