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AOL 32-bit for Windows 95/98/ME �Tweaks + Speed-Ups
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These topics refer STRICTLY to ALL America Online (AOL) 32-bit client releases
for Windows 95/98/ME, unless specified otherwise:
http://www.mdgx.com/aol.htm
___________________________________________________________________
| ALWAYS BACKUP ALL YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM DRIVES TO A SAFE LOCATION |
| BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE ANY SYSTEM CHANGES ! |
| http://www.mdgx.com/secrets.htm#BKP |
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WARNING: Take EXTREME CAUTION when modifying your System/Startup settings!
Faulty changes may result in crashes/lockups/permanent data loss, or
might lead to having you REINSTALL your Operating System(s)!
YOU are the ONLY one responsible for ANY changes YOU make!
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR MOST RECENT SYSTEM BACKUP READY!
NOTES: - These �Tricks + Secrets have been tested on many computers, but with
NO guarantee they should also work for you!
- Some of these tips I stumbled upon while browsing the Internet or
while helping others with WinDOwS problems, some were kindly sent in
by concerned readers (all authors/contributors are acknowledged and
reliable sources given proper credit), and some I discovered on my
own. Enjoy the ride!
- Contributed tips (clearly marked) posted here do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the author of these files.
Courtesy of Aint.
netstat -a 2 netstat.log
AOL.EXE command line parameters work with ALL Windows 3.1x/9x/ME releases.
To learn how to start AOL using command line switches, which allows you to go
directly to your area of interest upon running AOL, proceed with these steps:
1. Start AOL.
2. Click the Favorites icon.
3. Open Favorite Places.
4. Click the "Add Favorite Place" button to create a new item.
5. In the "Enter the Place's Description:" box type:
AOL Logon Scripts
or any other suggestive name.
6. In the "Enter the Internet Address:" box type:
aol://4344:431.scrptaol.1313877.538546639
7. Click OK.
8. (Double-)click on "AOL Logon Scripts" and read the topic.
FYI: See "OPEN URL WITH AOL" + "OPEN EMAIL WITH AOL" in AOLTIPS.TXT (this
file) for examples.
______________________________________________________________________________
AOL ANTI-IDLE!
If you are among the millions of frustrated AOLers who have been "greeted"
with a 45 minutes inactivity popup dialog box one too many times, when you ARE
in fact doing something on the Internet [eventually using a stand-alone web
browser (see "AOL WEB BROWSING" further below for details) while connected to
AOL], you should consider one of these solutions:
Have you ever had AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 (32-bit for Win9x/ME) freeze on you,
especially while trying to access AOL areas? If you just answered yes, read
on, there's still hope for ye. :)
I know of 3 ways to "kill" a frozen AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 session:
1. Hit the "three finger salute combo": the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys the same
time -> highlight "America Online [Not responding]" -> click the "End Task"
button.
But sometimes, under certain system configs, after doing this, your entire
machine (OS) may freeze, and you may have to punch that dreaded Reset button
on your computer case. :(
2. But fear no more, there is a way to close AOL 4.0/5.0/6.0 WITHOUT locking
up your "beloved" Operating System. Get TaskMan for Windows 9x/ME [16 KB], a
great freeware tool that can "kill" ANY (in)visible running/locked app or
process:
http://www.reocities.com/SiliconValley/network/4414/Prod_Body.html#taskman
Copy TaskMan.exe over the one included with your Windows copy (which you
should BACKUP FIRST!) to your Windows folder. Now instead of using
Ctrl+Alt+Del, just run the new TaskMan (create a shortcut for it in the Start
menu) -> browse to "America Online [Whatever...]" -> (double-)click on it ->
poof, gone!
3. The above are only temporary measures though. :) The "radical" method is
to "ditch" (uninstall) AOL 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 completely and get the new AOL 9.0
32-bit for Win98/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 from AOL keyword UPGRADE [36 MB
download!].
But do NOT forget to keep your custom settings [account info, screen name(s),
saved password(s), favorite links, saved e-mail, address book, buddies list
etc], by making a backup copy of these AOL 3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0 folders and their
contents beforehand (I used C:\AOL4 in this example but you can change that
if different): C:\AOL4\IDB and C:\AOL4\ORGANIZE, and of these files (if
present) from the C:\AOL4 main directory: AOL.INI, AOLPP.INI, AOLPP2.INI,
GOTO.INI and VIEWERS.INI.
Now you're ready to uninstall AOL by running: Start button -> Settings ->
Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> America Online -> hit the Add/Remove
button.
Finally install AOL9, and let it pick up your custom settings from your ol'
AOL 3/4/5/6 which you need to restore to their original folder names (listed
above), and you're all set.
Just make sure to answer NO to this question (or similar), while installing
AOL9:
"Do you want to make AOL your default browser?"
AOL9 adds some nice bonuses for ya: up to 7 screen names per account (and if
you have/create your own AOL based web site you'll get 2Mb of disk space for
each screen name, which amounts up to a total of 14Mb if using all 7 screen
names), access to new/improved AOL areas, better compatibility with external
web browsers (like MS Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator), and [cross
your fingers ;)] more stability.
After installing AOL 7.0 software, you MUST also upgrade your MS Internet
Explorer copy to the NEWEST version, which includes all current security
patches and fixes for safer browsing:
http://www.mdgx.com/nettoys.htm#IEX
... And from now on you'll experience (hopefully) fewer AOL lockups...
BTW: Yule need a serious dose of good luck too! :)
______________________________________________________________________________
"To have a "Mailto:" URL you click in an external browser open in AOL e-mail
instead of Outlook Express (or whatever 3rd party e-mail application you're
using), you need to Edit the "Open" Action for the "URL:Mailto Protocol"
under File Types in Explorer to point to Aol.exe, by adding these command
line switches (quote marks are necessary as shown):
"drive:\directory\aol.exe -nUsername -pPassword -u" "%1"
[Thank you Troy for the correct syntax!]
Where:
- Username: will be the name you wish to send AOL e-mail from, if not already
connected to AOL. If connected, AOL will igore the Username and Password.
- Password: use this option if the name used above doesn't have a saved
password and you do not want to type it in everytime AOL starts up.
- %1: in this case the command line will be filled in by the contents of the
mailto link you clicked in the external browser, so AOL will recognize it as
such, and will open the appropriate Username and Domain to fill in the address
boxes."
NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in
AOLTIPS.TXT (this file).
UPDATE:
"With AOL 7.0 in Windows 98 the shortcut target for supplying AOL with name
and password is (default location):
"C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aol.exe" -nUserName -pPassWord
Note that the name and password parameters are not between the quotes."
[Thank you Ken!]
______________________________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Ben.
"To open an URL (internet address) directly with AOL, add this new command to
the "Internet Shortcut" file type in Explorer -> View -> Options -> Open with
AOL. The command line should read (quote marks are necessary as shown):
"drive:\directory\aol.exe -u" "%1"
Any stand-alone browser that was the default for the "Internet Shortcut"
should remain the default. Right-clicking an Internet Shortcut and selecting
"Open with AOL" will now open and dial AOL, and then open the Internet
Shortcut with the normal (default) browser.
This is tricky though, and may cause some strange results with different
browsers and versions."
NOTE: To learn about all AOL command line parameters see "AOL.EXE SWITCHES" in
AOLTIPS.TXT (this file).
______________________________________________________________________________
"1. You MUST be a member of AOL using AOL 32-bit for Windows 9x.
2. Go to the Netscape web site:
http://browser.netscape.com/
and install the latest version of Netscape Communicator 32-bit.
3. Run Netscape and go to: Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Proxies.
4. Choose "Manual Proxy Configuration", and click on View.
5. On the HTTP space, type:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
6. On the small space just to the right which is the Port, type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS).
7. Netscape will work with AOL perfectly and FAST!"
To use the AOL proxy server feature with your 32-bit Windows 9x/ME Microsoft
Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 browser (started separately, NOT using AOL's custom
IE interface from within AOL), apply these easy steps, courtesy of The
Captain, and updated courtesy of Ben:
"This works with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0x 32-bit (instructions for
1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x, 5.0x + 6.0x are slightly different) and AOL 32-bit software
in Windows 9x/ME.
Open IE4 -> click View -> Internet Options -> Connection tab. Place a check
mark in "Access the Internet using a proxy server". Type in:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
in the Address field, then type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS) in the Port field, and check "Bypass proxy server for
local (Intranet) addresses".
Click OK twice.
Open IE5 -> click Tools -> Internet Options -> click "LAN Settings" under the
"Connection" tab to list the "Proxy Server" options on the bottom half of the
window that comes up. Place a check mark in "Use a proxy server". In the
"Address" box type:
vip-tn.proxy.aol.com
In the "Port" box type:
80
for unsecure sites (HTTP), or:
443
for secure sites (HTTPS).
Click OK twice."
NOTE: If you use another ISP besides AOL as your alternative or primary
Internet connection (and then eventually log on to AOL through AOL's TCP/IP
protocol), you need to disable the AOL proxy in your web browser while
connected to your other ISP, and eventually enable the specific proxy for your
ISP, if available.
More info:
http://webmaster.info.aol.com/proxyinfo.html
I've only tried this with AOL 3.0 (I don't care for 4.0 because of the way
it handles mail), but I suspect it will work with 4.0 as well because the
architecture is basically similar."
UPDATE:
"Here's another way to save your File Cabinet if you have to reinstall AOL
(this works with AOL 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). Since AOL will save the Download and
Organize folders when you uninstall, copy only your Idb folder somewhere else,
uninstall, and then reinstall AOL. Then copy it back under your new AOL
folder, replacing the one there."
This update courtesy of Tom.
______________________________________________________________________________
"Hi Captain,
"MaxMTU Fix
Some people have found that their Internet file transfers are quite slow,
often between 900 - 1,800 characters per second, even on a 56k modem."
This problem was a plague even though I usually connect to AOL at 41,333 -
49,333 bps and browsing is fairly speedy. However download speed of files
was miserable. There is a "fix" that works quite well on my system:
1. Open Control Panel -> Modems.
2. From General Tab select Properties.
3. Select Connection Tab -> Advanced.
4. Under Add Extra Settings, enter the following:
ATS27=64S15=128
This increased my download speed to 4.5 - 5.0 kbps."
FYI:
- Captain's MODEMS.TXT is included in this archive for your reading pleasure.
- See also "56K MODEMS @ 56K SPEED" in MYTIPS95.TXT (included) for more
details using 56K modems to connect to the Internet in Windows 9x/ME.
______________________________________________________________________________
To turn off AOL Instant Messages (IMs) so they won't pop up while you're in
the middle of doing something else, log on to AOL and follow these steps:
A. First method:
1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box.
2. Type:
$im_off
in the IM Send to box.
3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box.
4. Hit Send.
To turn AOL Instant Messages back on:
1. Hold Ctrl and press I to open the IM box.
2. Type:
$im_on
in the IM Send to box.
3. Type something (anything) in the body of the IM message box.
4. Hit Send.
B. Second method (some steps may differ slightly depending on your AOL
version):
REQUIREMENTS:
This workaround applies to ALL America Online users who:
- connect to AOL using a 28 - 56 kbps analog modem;
- use Microsoft Windows 95 or 98 Operating Systems (ANY release); [... don't
we all?! :-)]
- use America Online (AOL) client software 32-bit version, ANY
retail/final/gamma/Gold/RTM release 3.0/4.0/5.0 for Windows 95/98, and
- connect to the Internet using an AOL (local) phone number (via AOLnet).
BACKGROUND INFO:
DEFINITION:
Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) or packet size of a Network/ISP is the largest
amount of data that can be transferred in one physical frame on that Network.
Fragmentation will occur if a packet is sent across a Network that has a MTU
smaller than the packet's frame length. This leads to lower performance as
fragments need to be reassembled. The workaround in this case is to decrease
the Winsock's MTU value to match the minimum MTU of ALL intervening Networks.
Since it is virtually impossible to determine the minimum MTU of so many
Networks, trial and error is almost always the best choice. Start by trying to
match your MTU value with your Network/ISP's MTU. Typical cases:
- Ethernet networks: MTU = 1500
- SLIP servers: MTU = 1006
- PPP protocol (Internet TCP/IP): MTU = 576.
See also Microsoft's explanation of (Max)MTU:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050204171028/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140375
The only way for ALL AOL members to connect to the Internet (so far) is by
using AOL's software, [:-(] which in ALL 32-bit releases implements its own
built-in version of MTU setting of 1500. AOL's "mtu" parameter is found under
this Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\America Online\AOL\aolsock
"mtu"=dword:000005dc
and canNOT be changed when using version 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 of AOL 32-bit client.
It is ALWAYS reset to AOL's default value of 1500 whenever one logs on to AOL,
by being "hardwired" into AOLNDI.DLL, a file installed by the AOL 32-bit
software, and located both in AOL's folder and in Windows 95/98's
C:\Windows\System subfolder.
And if the "aolsock" Registry key is present, AOL 32-bit software also resets
(depending on different Dial-Up Networking system configurations) the NetTrans
MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU [Win98] back to 1500 under the TCP/IP Registry
keys, corresponding to the "AOL Adapter" and "TCP/IP -> AOL Adapter" items,
found on the Network Control Panel applet list.
But I have found a way around this AOL's limitation. [looks more like a bug
to me... :-)]
FAST FIX:
To speed up your AOL connection, and the same time skip the techno "geek
speak" in this article, I recommend using the new versions of these fine
programs, the only ones that (so far) apply ALL the Win95/98/AOL/MTU
recommended tweaks described below to your system:
- Rob Vonk's EasyMTU v3.0:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu/
the first, the best and the only FREEware
AOL/MTU/TTL/RWIN/COMBoostTime/cachesize/etc tweaking tool [360 KB]:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip
EasyMTU v3.0 includes FindMTU [a PING tool] to determine EXACTLY the MTU
value used by your ISP/Online Service (i.e. AOL).
- TweakDUN + TweakMASTER:
http://web.archive.org/web/20061020232245/http://www.pattersondesigns.com/tweakdun/
This topic suggested by Steve Bass, PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/
Editor + author of PC Annoyances book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0596008821/
DELETE "aolsock":
4. MANDATORY for ALL AOL v4.0 or v5.0 (beta or Gold) 32-bit software users,
Win98 and Win95: apply the "AOL 4.0/5.0 MTU FIX", also included here.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0000
"MaxMTU"="576"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0001
"MaxMTU"="576"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\0002
"MaxMTU"="576"
MEANING:
To determine EXACTLY which NetTrans keys you need to alter (and NO others),
bear in mind that you MUST have this entry:
"DriverDesc=TCP/IP"
under EACH of your TCP/IP NetTrans keys you want to modify! Change/add the
MaxMTU string ONLY under your NetTrans keys that have "TCP/IP" on the
"DriverDesc" line!
You may have more than one "00nn" NetTrans keys ("nn" is an actual number,
ranging anywhere from 00 up to 50, depending on your system's
Network/TCP/IP/DUN settings).
Here there are two possibilities:
A. If you already have a "MaxMTU" entry: (double-)click on the right hand pane
"MaxMTU" string, and type in 576. Click OK.
B. If you don't have a "MaxMTU" entry: you can add it manually, by
(double-)clicking on EACH of your left hand pane TCP/IP NetTrans 000n/00nn
keys and then selecting New -> String value. Name the new string MaxMTU.
(Double-)click on it and give it a value of 576.
Repeat the steps above for ALL your TCP/IP NetTrans keys, to include the
recommended values for MaxMTU.
Restart Windows 95 when done so all changes can take effect.
7. TWEAK "ComBoostTime":
You may gain MORE modem transfer speed by adding/modifying this line under
your SYSTEM.INI's [386enh] section to read:
COMBoostTime=1
SYSTEM.INI is a text file located in your Windows folder. Open it for editing
in Notepad.
The "COMBoostTime" setting affects the time (in milliseconds) the Operating
System processes a COM port interrupt. The default value is 2. If you notice a
loss of keyboard characters while using your ISP/AOL/communications
programs, increase COMBoostTime to 4 (further experimenting may be necessary
to determine your own optimal setting).
NOTE: You need to RESTART Windows EVERY time after modifying ANY SYSTEM.INI
settings!
"One more speedup trick: You can save two to six seconds every time you go to
your favorite web pages. Just use a HOSTS file. This is your very own DNS
server, right in your own PC, and it translates the domain name into an IP
address. That means when your browser tries to contact www.microfsoft.com, the
HOSTS file runs interference, changes the URL into an IP address
(207.46.131.137) and speeds up the time it takes to get there.
Many programs create and manage HOSTS files. I don't have a favorite... any of
them will do the job."
See HOSTS Files, Guides + Tools [freeware]:
http://www.mdgx.com/hosts.php
This topic courtesy of Steve Bass, PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/
Editor + author of PC Annoyances book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0596008821/
HINT:
By default the HOSTS file (no extension) is located in your Win95/98 folder.
Edit it with Notepad, to read the usage guidelines and then add your
frequently visited web sites IP addresses/host names.
To get the IP address of your favorite server, let's say www.pcworld.com, run
PING (a Networking tool found also in your Win95/98 folder) from a DOS prompt
box/session, while connected to the Internet:
ping www.pcworld.com
These are the IP numbers you need:
Pinging www.pcworld.com [209.1.23.30] etc...
Copy them on a separate line into your Hosts file:
209.1.23.30 www.pcworld.com # PC World
Everything after the pound sign (#) is a comment.
Repeat this operation for each web site you want added.
TIP: Most web sites use dynamic IP addresses, meaning the numbers change every
time you try to access them. Therefore you might want to PING the same site
more than once, and then add ALL IP numbers found for that site, followed by
the host/website name (see example above) on separate lines in your Hosts
file.
10. Restart Windows 95/98 and then start AOL. Connect as usual. Notice any
differences in access speed/modem throughput, while browsing through AOL and
Internet areas, and try to download some files off AOL/Internet for
comparison.
RESTORE DEFAULTS:
If you experience slow-downs accessing AOL and/or the Internet after applying
the above workarounds:
I. (Double-)click on AOLDEF98.REG [Win98 users] or AOLDEF95.REG [Win95 users]
(also included) to RESTORE ALL Registry settings to their DEFAULTS. But FIRST
you *MUST* modify AOLMTU98.REG/AOLMTU95.REG and AOLDEF98.REG/AOLDEF95.REG
(using Notepad), to CUSTOMIZE ALL TCP/IP NetTrans MaxMTU [Win95] or Net IPMTU
[Win98] lines to MATCH YOUR OWN SYSTEM: *READ* the step-by-step guidelines at
paragraph #5 above to learn how to do this PROPERLY!
II. Re-register (RESTORE) the America Online "aolsock" subkey you have saved
as AOLKEY.TXT (as described at paragraph #2 above): FIRST RENAME it to
AOLKEY.REG and then (double-)click on it in Explorer or File Manager.
AOLKEY.REG is also included with these files.
III. Remark with a semicolon (;) the "COMBoostTime" line under the [386enh]
section of your SYSTEM.INI:
; COMBoostTime=1
IV. Restart Windows so all changes can take effect.
TIPS:
- Use Windows 95/98 System Monitor tool (SYSMON.EXE, located in your Windows
folder), to monitor your modem connections, as described in "DUN MONITOR -
Part 1" + "DUN MONITOR - Part 2" from MYTIPS95.TXT (included).
- For extensive details/specs on analog/digital modems, Win95/98
communications, TCP/IP, DUN and more MTU/TTL/RWIN/etc tweaking programs, check
out these reference links:
http://www.mdgx.com/modem.htm
MANDATORY UPGRADES:
You might also see modem speed improvements over the Internet by installing
these free Microsoft communications upgrades:
- ALL Windows 95/98 users: Dial-Up Networking (DUN) Upgrade 1.4:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050316085327/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285189
- ONLY Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2 users: Windows Sockets (Winsock) Upgrade 2.0:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182108
You may need to switch back to AOL's default "mtu" value of 1500 if your
connection slows down (you have to wait a while longer to access web sites or
download files), depending on your location, phone number/protocol used to
connect, or if you use a 3rd party ISP to connect to AOL that requires a MTU
value of 1500 at server end.
To determine the EXACT MTU value used by your ISP/Online Service, especially
if you connect to the Internet/AOL using an ISP other than AOL, apply one of
the following methods:
- Check out this list of known MTU values, detailed in "ISPS KNOWN MTU VALUES"
from MYTIPS95.TXT (included).
- Download and run Rob Vonk's EasyMTU 3.0 [includes FindMTU, 360 KB,
freeware]:
http://www.rob.cybercomm.nl/easymtu.zip
- Read "FIND YOUR ISP'S MTU" in TIPS95.TXT (included).
BTW: ... Almost forgot: [:-)] ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR FILES TO A SAFE LOCATION
BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES!
Respectively:
1. The Windows 95/98 Registry files: SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT, found in your
Windows folder. These files have the hidden and system attributes, for
write-protection purposes.
2. SYSTEM.INI, also residing in your Win9x/ME folder.
Happy surfing!
______________________________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Ojatex.
"Any AOLer should ALWAYS use their browser as a STANDALONE and NOT under the
AOL shell, which cripples AOL's internal (built-in) browser (eg. MS Internet
Explorer 3/4/5/6) in several ways. Some Java and JavaScript problems disappear
when one loads a web site using MS IE/Netscape as a standalone, outside the
AOL interface.
Many AOLers (especially newbies) don't realize that STANDALONE browsing is
possible and BETTER. It also gets rid of the annoying AOL toolbar that hogs
the screen."
FYI:
1. AOL 32-bit software 3/4/5/6/7/8/9 for Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 have
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3/4/5/6 32-bit browser built-in. I recommend to
use the free Mozilla Gecko or Firefox 32-bit browsers to access the Internet
instead, while logged on to AOL:
http://www.mdgx.com/nettoys.htm#MOZ
2. Learn how to make Netscape browsers work with AOL software:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060402224103/http://help.netscape.com/kb/consumer/1997
0331-2.html
______________________________________________________________________________
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