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DESPERATE! AOL HAS TAKEN OVER MY COMPUTER

By cyberyadda, Section Live Gripes
Posted on Sat May 20, 2006 at 02:21:20 AM PDT

Hello, I am desperate to get a hold of somebody,and see if I can get help I have a whole new understanding of how can people possibly go postal! I don't spend much time surfing or hanging on the web, so am just going by my seat to try and find someone to get help from. Aol has taken over my computer! I work freelance for different promo projects. I HAVE LOST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, WILL NEVER STAND CHANCE OF GETTING ANOTHER CONTRACT WITH THESE COMPANIES, WON'T HAVE A PAYCHECK NOW, AND AM FACING THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CHILDREN LOSING THERE COLLAGE ENROLLMENT BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY TO KEEP THIS MONTHS COMMITMENT FOR TUITION.

A0l randomly signs my computer on, WITH NO WAY TO STOP IT.AS SOON AS IT DOES IT SHUTS MY COMPUTER DOWN, WITHOUT KEEPING ANY OF THE SAVES TO MY WORK, AND NO WAY TO RETRIEVE IT WHEN I BOOT UP AGAIN.I HAVE contacted tech sup, and everybody else to get this fixed. Each promised me that the fix will definitely take care of it. Last night I spent 2hrs with tech support, I was again promised that the fix would work. I have done everything to try and uninstall aol,but it wont let me, and just keep signing me on. I got home,after working 18yrs on my friends computer trying to minimize my situation(have'nt yet been to bed yet)but just had to try. I was scared to death to open anything, but tech promised it was fixed, so, I piddled for a while to make sure, and nothing happened. I opened a project, worked for about three hours on it, and just as I was closing it, Bam! Aol started to sign on, THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP IT. And I have lost another contract. Please,if you know how I can get help, help me! Signed,Lady G, A single mother trying to educate my children!

< parkingticket.com SCAM on refunds | AT&T Kills "Bad" Username >

DESPERATE! AOL HAS TAKEN OVER MY COMPUTER | 28 comments (28 topical) | Post A Comment

Call in the pros[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#1)
by Anonymous User on Mon May 22, 2006 at 11:57:03 AM PDT

Pay a local repair shop for a few hours of their time to figure out what is going on and fix it. Back up your files beforehand - a complete system reload may be the least-cost way out at this point.

[ Reply to This ]

i also had to uninstall aol which is interesting[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#15)
by Anonymous User on Fri Sep 01, 2006 at 01:09:42 PM PDT

because I started to install it but stopped before fully installing it, and it would come back up to where I had left off on the install. I never lost info though, have you tried auto save in your word program, usually every 10 min. or so but in your case every 10 sec might be more appropriate. Who did you buy you computer from, I had problems with rhapsody, it messed up the sound on my streaming music, and hp tech. support online was able to help me.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

protect your work[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#2)
by Anonymous User on Mon May 22, 2006 at 10:10:23 PM PDT

Let me say right off the bat, I hope you get your computer problems resolved.

You (and others in your position) take a big risk in having your work computer and your family computer be the same computer. If you can't afford 2 PCs, and your work computer is vital (which it appears to be), you have to go without the family PC. If it isn't AOL, it's something that the kids might download, or some game that doesn't play nice on your system, or who knows what else? This is especially true if you aren't that familiar with computers and today's environment.

Again, I wish you the best of luck in getting your system back in order.

[ Reply to This ]

Have you checked the Internet Options?[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#3)
by jkozura on Tue May 23, 2006 at 01:36:28 PM PDT

The Internet Options control panel has a tab labeled "Connections". If you haven't already set this to "never dial a connection", you may want to try this. It is possible that this will solve your problem.

[ Reply to This ]

DESPERATE! AOL HAS TAKEN OVER MY COMPUTER [ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#4)
by Anonymous User on Wed May 24, 2006 at 03:07:06 PM PDT

Go to start, click on run, type in regedit, now you can edit your reg. At the top in navagation click on edit. From the drop down list click on find. Type aol in the box then click find next button. When a value is found right click and select delete then click yes. Continue with edit find next deleting aol values found. You are finished when no more values are found.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Removing AOL[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#5)
by Anonymous User on Thu May 25, 2006 at 06:56:26 AM PDT

1) Backup your registry and important data _before_ doing this, since a mistake in editing the registry can seriously trash your computer.

2) Don't do this if AOL is used for legitimate internet access and/or email, since AOL probably won't work correctly after this is done.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Removing AOL[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#6)
by Anonymous User on Thu May 25, 2006 at 07:35:23 AM PDT

Have you tried unistalling it while in safe mode? You boot into safe mode by tapping the F8 key while your PC is booting. Try to uninstall it then from add/remove programs in the control panel. If that doesn't work then you might also try to disable it in the configuration utility if you are using Windows 98, ME, or XP. You can use this by clicking on start, then run. In the box that opens type in "msconfig" without the quotes, clickon ok or press thew enter key on your keyboard. When that box opens click on the tab on the top that says Startup. Uncheck any box that says anything any where about AOL. Click on apply and then close. It will ask you to restart your PC, go ahead and do so. When you restart you will get a notification box pop up that saya you have used the configuration utility. In the lower left corner of that box is a place where you can check off to have it not tell you that anymore. Go ahead and check that box. If that does not work then as a previous poster suggested you should probably take it into a local shop and have it checked out.

[ Reply to This ]

Don't edit registry[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#7)
by NorthFork on Thu Jun 22, 2006 at 01:00:35 PM PDT

I agree with this poster. Do not edit your registry. Use msconfig to uncheck the AOL items in the Startup tab. Also, remember to save your work as you go. Every paragraph or so. Save your work. Ctrl-s usually does this in an instant. Get an account with a local internet service provider. Find one in the yellow pages. Your local telephone company will probably be ok. Then delete AO-hell from your computer using the add-remove programs in the Control Panel. AOL is notoriously difficult to quit. They just won't let you. You may have to call the credit card company you use to pay your AOL bill and tell them that the card has been lost.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Thanks[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#10)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 01:32:14 PM PDT

This helped me get my kids computer back as opposed to a very expensive paperwork. Thank you!!!!!!!

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Remove AOL[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#27)
by Anonymous User on Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 06:56:29 AM PDT

My team has created a program to remove all instances of AOL from a Windows computer. If anyone has any interest in marketing this product, RemoveAOL, please let me know. If you have any other problems that require a RemoveItTM program, please let me know. Wayne Greenfield wayne@bluefrog.com

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Thanks[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#9)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 01:31:06 PM PDT

This helped me get AOL cr&P of my kids computer which had make it work like a $1,500 paperweight.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Thanks[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#28)
by Anonymous User on Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 08:29:20 AM PDT

buy cialis ** acomplia ** generic viagra

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Don�t use AOL to begin with[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#8)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jun 28, 2006 at 07:55:18 AM PDT

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your bad experience with AOL. On the other hand you pretty much asked for it by using AOL in the first place. My suggestion to you is to stop using crap AOL and crap XP by swtitching over to Linux or FreeBSD. How lame...

[ Reply to This ]

AOL Hell on a PC[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#11)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 01:34:22 PM PDT

Thank you to the 2 posters who suggested the safe mode and the MSconfig solutions. Both myself and my kid are much happier campers now (So is the computer)

[ Reply to This ]

You must be retarded[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#12)
by Anonymous User on Sat Jul 08, 2006 at 05:46:17 AM PDT

Yeah, tell the kids to study hard! Their mom is as dumb as a whipping post. Why? 1. AOL... 2. Your obscene PC incompetence 3. Misspelled their (there) 4. Misspelled college (collage) 5. Badly misusing English (You can't even talk!) Oh, and you might wanna consider NOT fucking/breeding anymore. -Bombenhagel July 08, 2006

[ Reply to This ]

Dumb as a whipping post[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#13)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 26, 2006 at 10:12:24 PM PDT

God, what a di*khead you are.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Bottom feeder[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#14)
by Anonymous User on Wed Aug 02, 2006 at 06:32:42 AM PDT

It must be rough not even having any self respect. I suspect even your dog has left you.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

How old are you?[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#16)
by Anonymous User on Sun Oct 01, 2006 at 10:44:05 AM PDT

That you can spell well for your age is delighful, except for what you choose to spell with your gift. I'm sure when you reach 13 you'll realize that no matter how good your grammar and spelling are, when tainted with bitter vulgarity your language is still not beautiful.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

And yeah....[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#18)
by Anonymous User on Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 11:12:53 PM PDT

Who works for 3 hours without saving at least a few times?!?!?! /J�rgen

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

A friendly sympathizer[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#20)
by Anonymous User on Mon Nov 06, 2006 at 04:00:39 PM PDT

I'm glad that you got your kid's computer straightened out. I totally understand the frustration of trying to get AOL's fingers out of a computer. I just wanted to say a hearty, thank you! One of the more constructive comments you received also helped me with my problem. I even knew better than to install AOL on my new laptop but I thought I knew how to get around the AOL curse. I was so dead wrong. They are "good" at what they do. But,life goes on. With the AOL nightmare behind you may I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season of peace and joy.

[ Reply to This ]

wishing the originator well[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#21)
by aoz on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 08:51:00 PM PDT

I hope you do get your work back in shape. A comment to the replier who decided to badmouth the originator. I've worked for 20+ years on computers, tear them apart, build them, etc. My wife doesn't do that, and never wants to. BUT she wants to use a computer. Your tone implies that the originator of this thread, and my wife, and others like her, need to become computer guru's to operate this stuff. That is unfortunate; they should be able to pick up these machines and use them easily. YES, they do need to use some basics, but it would be neat if software existed, that these users could EASILY install, that would help them in this regard. You pick up a telephone; you dial 10 digits; and without reading a manual, you've accessed one of the most complex (and EASY TO USE) computer systems in the world. anyway, good luck... Nick

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Since no one asked...[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#22)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 04, 2007 at 01:49:03 PM PDT

You run a business out of an AOL account?????

[ Reply to This ]

Duh.[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#23)
by Anonymous User on Sun Sep 16, 2007 at 07:54:59 PM PDT

Lots of artists, writers, salespeople and the like can't do their work without email. I have writer friends who only use their PCs for Word and email: they get assignments by email, write them, and email them back. Likewise for artists and plenty of other "people people."

Yes, it's (more or less) relying on AOL for the operation of their business. AOL preys on these folks by making their stuff look like they can use it reliably and easily, just as Microsoft does.

It's a shame no-one ever told them that relying on AOL (or a PC) for this is incredibly dangerous, but when Microsoft and AOL spend (+/-) a billion dollars telling us anyone can use a PC and AOL, it's understandable that lots of folks don't investigate closely enough to do the smarter thing and either buy a Mac, or pay someone to spend a few hours setting up and teaching them to use Linux. (I've had good success with both, BTW.)

Remember, we're talking about people whose talents aren't in the technical area. There will always be immature people whose talents ARE in the technical area who feel they must belittle them, but that's a separate issue entirely.

And the Mac, sad to say, isn't a slam-dunk, either, since all their artist friends will be emailing them Microsoft-type files, and hoping to get same in return.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Aol has taken over my computer[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#24)
by jayohem on Tue Oct 16, 2007 at 12:22:51 PM PDT

There are many good suggestions and a few (unnecessarily) rude remarks about resolving the problem. If a corporate entity is misbehaving, shame on it. Even the smartest people can get scammed sometime. For those of you who have given the person with the AOL problem and other readers some ideas of how to solve it, thanks. For the name callers, just read what you've written before you click that "submit" button. I'm sure you've got some answers that actually would help "Desperate" and other folks who are or have been AOL subscribers. Thanks from a non-subscriber.

[ Reply to This ]

AOL & work[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#25)
by abogado valencia on Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 10:04:16 PM PDT

Its not such a good idea to keep running your bussines with an AOL account...
Miembro de Abogado Valencia
[ Reply to This ]

AOL[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#26)
by Christina on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 02:20:36 PM PDT

First of all, I feel very sorry for you and hope you had a chance to get this fixed quickly to minimize your money loss and work loss. And after that I have to say that AOL seems to be causing lots of troube. This is far from the first time I hear people complaining about having problems with AOL. Seems to be something you should avoid.
Christina, IT Professional currently working on the treatment for prostate project.
[ Reply to This ]

kobe[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#29)
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Bashing the hornets nest[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#30)
by Anonymous User on Mon Apr 14, 2008 at 09:08:58 AM PDT

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[ Reply to This ]

DESPERATE! AOL HAS TAKEN OVER MY COMPUTER | 28 comments (28 topical) | Post A Comment

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