Member Avatar for BryanA917

Have you ever had AOL 'break' and move so slow that it's just useless? Most of us probably don't use it, but for the helpless masses who know and understand nothing else, there's a problem latley in AOL 9.0

The only solution is one that AOL won't publicly share. I spent three hours with several folks trying to get someone's AOL working (I installed a wireless network and was told I couldn't leave until their AOL worked again after viruses were cleaned).

I finally got a new employee who suggested a trick: Don't let AOL 9.0 name the file it will go into. Before installation, make a new Folder in the C>Program Files Folder. When prompted, direct AOL into THAT folder; don't let it install automatically.

If any other version of AOL ever had a problem with its registry, it will show up in a new 9.0 install - verify by Searching "ASCD" If more than one shows up, that's the trouble. It's a process that AOL runs and when more than one runs, AOL runs incredibly, impossibly slow.

*You can safely uninstall previous versions of AOL allowing the cab files and downloaded files to remain - Favorites will stay entact.
*You can also benefit from Searching "ASCuninstall" and running that .exe to remove excess ASCD.exe files safely from previous versions.

Perhaps this is a goofy and novice bit of advice. And personally, I detest AOL; but maybe others, like me, would give anything to not spend three hours on the phone with AOL drones for a fifteen minute solution!

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Catweazle commented: Sensible piece of advice about installing software +4

Dani AI

Generated

Good call by to look for leftover AOL agents after an upgrade; multiple background components (WAOL / ASCD / AOLDial and friends) historically show up and can collide with a new AOL 9.x install, producing the extreme slowness described by others here (broadband/Vista users noted similar symptoms). (wilderssecurity.com)

Practical checklist (work from top to bottom; make a restore point first):

  • Make a restore point / backup before changing startup items or the registry. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Inspect running processes with Process Explorer to find duplicate AOL processes, note full path/command line and parent process before terminating anything. Use the properties dialog to confirm which executable is which. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Use Autoruns to show every autostart location, filter for “AOL” or “ASCD”, then uncheck (disable) duplicate startup entries rather than deleting immediately; Autoruns lets Jump-to-Entry for the file/registry key so cleanup can be precise. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Do a Clean Boot (msconfig/System Configuration) to temporarily disable non-Microsoft services/startups and test whether AOL speed returns; this isolates the conflict. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • If old AOL bits remain, remove them via Programs and Features (uninstall) or an uninstaller that also removes leftovers; keep a copy of any PC-folder files before uninstalling.
  • If malware or strange hidden executables are suspected, run an on-demand scanner (for example Microsoft Safety Scanner) after the above checks.

Cautions: always confirm file paths and create a restore point before deleting registry entries or executables. The steps above build on ’s observation but use reliable inspection and isolation tools so the fix is safe and repeatable. (support.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for MAD_DOG

Just reading the first sentence have you contacted AOL to tell them about the problem? Maybe there is a fix out there all ready you don't know about.

Member Avatar for MAD_DOG

Ok now I did read it good luck! Like the last guy why don't you use something else like earthlink or some high speed internet. Not that bad in pricing why spend $20 for a pain in the butt when you can pay $30 for something high speed and 50x times better. Think about it. Get back to us I am dieing to hear a fix lol

Member Avatar for wambiekins45

Have you ever had AOL 'break' and move so slow that it's just useless? Most of us probably don't use it, but for the helpless masses who know and understand nothing else, there's a problem latley in AOL 9.0

The only solution is one that AOL won't publicly share. I spent three hours with several folks trying to get someone's AOL working (I installed a wireless network and was told I couldn't leave until their AOL worked again after viruses were cleaned).

I finally got a new employee who suggested a trick: Don't let AOL 9.0 name the file it will go into. Before installation, make a new Folder in the C>Program Files Folder. When prompted, direct AOL into THAT folder; don't let it install automatically.

If any other version of AOL ever had a problem with its registry, it will show up in a new 9.0 install - verify by Searching "ASCD" If more than one shows up, that's the trouble. It's a process that AOL runs and when more than one runs, AOL runs incredibly, impossibly slow.

*You can safely uninstall previous versions of AOL allowing the cab files and downloaded files to remain - Favorites will stay entact.
*You can also benefit from Searching "ASCuninstall" and running that .exe to remove excess ASCD.exe files safely from previous versions.

Perhaps this is a goofy and novice bit of advice. And personally, I detest AOL; but maybe others, like me, would give anything to not spend three hours on the phone with AOL drones for a fifteen minute solution!

I changed over to Broadband and aol runs so slow I feel like trashing my new dell computer ! When I call aol most of the time I can`t understand what they are saying !I hate Aol...Dave

Member Avatar for seedeere

Can you say VISTA - Aol 9.0VR works OK on my XP machines.

New install on new HP S3120N - Vista Certified. Slooooow

IE runs O. K. on Vista

Member Avatar for The Dude

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