superiorrain

I'm currently using AOL as my ISP (this is for many reasons and not all mine). i'm using a ADSL modem to dial up through and so far its been ok but i hate having to use the AOL browser; i know that you're all going to shouting and say use FireFox which i intend on doing. But i don't see the point of using Firefox when my computer will still be vulnerable as the AOL IE browers has to be opened in order for me to sign in. Plus it's another programm running in the background slowing down the computer.

So is there anyway that i could change the dial up command (XP home edition) so that i no longer have to open the aol browers at all.

Hope this makes sense and someone will be able to help me.

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"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

bendsley

I know MSN used to have a backdoor way to dialin without having to use the MSN Explorer application.

You would make a new dialup acct., the username would be similar to: MSN/<username> and then the password that was used for the acct. and the phone number.

AOL might be the same way.

__________________
"You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

bal8664

Hmm.. not sure if this can be done, tried it years ago and couldnt accomplish it. I never understood why Aol bought netscape but continued to use IE as its main browser. If it can't be done i wouldnt worry about it too much if you're using firefox, IE's main problem is the spyware, which you cant get if its open but not being used.

superiorrain

Well thanks for your help still none the wiser but if ever do work it out i will post my methods on here. Until that day or the day that someone poses another method consider it the impossible.

Be happy for any further helpful insights.

__________________
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

bal8664

Ah Ha! I may have found something! Try this (link) it's part of a FAQ on Broadbandreports.com located (here ) Good luck!

superiorrain

hahahaha it worked.

I mean it actually worked. set it up in just a few simple clicks and i'm sure my connection is faster. No more aol browers needed (apart) from checking the email.

My deepest thanks bal8664.

__________________
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

bal8664

Nheed it to check your email still? Try this:
http://members.aol.com/adamkb/aol/mailfaq/imap/
I would reccommend Thunderbird over Outlook Express, they even have a tutorial o nthat page specifically for it.

superiorrain

Is there no end to you knowledge, looks slightly more complicated but will have a go at setting that up to. I'll take your advice about using Thunderbird after all am happy with firefox and you haven't been wrong so far.

Again my thanks. I'll have a crack at setting that in a day or two and let you know how i get on.

__________________
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

superiorrain

Well iwas going to set it up another day because of the shere amounts of assignments i have to do for Uni. But it all got to much for me and i decided to give installation ago. Yet again it work with no problems. Thunderbirds is now the lastest edition to my computer, i feel liberated from aol and IE.

i hope this thread helps others in the way its helped me.

I bow to thee bal.

__________________
"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

bal8664

My pleasure, seeing someone be free of AOL and IE is thanks enough.

Agave

This *feature* is available (for dialup 56kers like me) with the 9.0 Optimized SE and Security Edition versions of the software.