Is anyone else having problems with AOL dial-up? Just awful the past few days - everything from not getting on to barely connecting, then being disconnected, to connecting at 4800 speed! Sent a note to their tech support. Am set up with about 4 server numbers in Birmingham/Pontiac/Farm.Hills area.
I attributed it to Super Bowl & media demands over the weekend, but still just as bad today (weds.2/8)

Please help me understand this... and I'm asking purely out of curiosity so no offense intended.

With the utmost respect:
Why do you still use dial-up - especially with AOL?

Isn't DSL even cheaper now than what AOL charges for dial-up?

Can't speak for Mary Jo, but DSL isn't available everywhere. I know I can't get it, except for one service that's so slow it's the same as ISDN speed. Of course, since I have cable, it doesn't matter, but cable is much more expensive.

But Terry makes a good point - especially since I'm pretty sure you were asking about doing video conferencing with relatives out of state. You really need to move to cable or DSL to do that.

Terry & Jack - Your question is no problem. Have just been waiting to see if there's a good reason (relative to my needs) to change. Part of the delay is because we don't have cable service for TV (nor satellite). Therefore we would have to pay for TV service plus internet, and I don't like to be a "captive customer" to ever-increasing cable rates.
Re DSL - haven't checked lately, but may look into it.
Also, have actually been just fine with AOL email, and my email is "out there" with numerous business contacts.
May have to bite the bullet this year. But this past week is still an enigma, compared to previous AOL service.

You can still run AOL over DSL, cable or satellite connections, so you wouldn't have to change your e-mail if you didn't want to. AOL has a (slightly) cheaper plan for that. Also, AOL has partnered with Yahoo and AT&T (formally SBC) to provide DSL.

It's because it's (DSL) not available everywhere Terry. Yep right in the middle of major city and guess what ....no DSL ....perhaps last quarter of 2006. 21,000 feet from CO. The cable prices are just too much for me.

My suggestion is would be to DOWNGRADE AOL. There is a ISP that offers dial up that I recommend to most Mac folk.

It's called Fastermac.net and offers service for $6.95 per month or less:

Monthly $6.95
Quarterly: $19.99
Yearly: $59.99

Sign up with them TO GET ON THE INTERNET and then downgrade your AOL service to "Bring Your Own Access" plan $14.95 per month or if you use it for e-mail only, you can talk your way into a e-mail ONLY plan for about $3-5 per month.

I can tell you the "trick" for the $3-5.00 plan if U are interested.

So you could keep your AOL e-mail ($5.00) and add Fastermac $6.95 and your Internet bill get cut in 1/2 with better service.

Yes, I get it that DSL may not be available, but part of my question was no so much why dial-up, but why AOL dial-up? If I couldn't get broadband, I would seek out just about any other ISP than AOL. AOL has a history of not supporting standards and making you use their software which you have to constantly update.

quote:

Originally posted by Calvin:
It's because it's (DSL) not available everywhere Terry. Yep right in the middle of major city and guess what ....no DSL ....perhaps last quarter of 2006. 21,000 feet from CO. The cable prices are just too much for me.

Just "force of habit." Originally signed up with AOL 8 or 10 years ago, and never had a big reason to change - until now. Actually, email is the only part of AOL that I ever use. Don't have time for all the other stuff.
Art - Appreciate your suggestion. This is probably the "push" I need to move to high speed, since we also want to be able to webcam with family in Colorado. Another factor is our ever-in-progress decision about a new TV. If we go the cable route, may consider cable access.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry White:
Yes, I get it that DSL may not be available, but part of my question was no so much why dial-up, but why AOL dial-up? If I couldn't get broadband, I would seek out just about any other ISP than AOL. AOL has a history of not supporting standards and making you use their software which you have to constantly update.

quote:

Originally posted by Calvin:
It's because it's (DSL) not available everywhere Terry. Yep right in the middle of major city and guess what ....no DSL ....perhaps last quarter of 2006. 21,000 feet from CO. The cable prices are just too much for me.

Art - I might be interested in the method for inexpensive email-only from AOL just to keep the address current for all the ads I have in place. At this point I haven't phoned AOL yet. The problem is just a week old - still deciding.
(FWIW: It took 6 - SIX - different dialup numbers before I got on today, without being bumped off immediately. Also speeds varied from 9600-24000, before this number connected at 46667! - Kept a log to discuss if I call AOL.)

Here's the Downgrade AOL trick.

First check out Fastermac.com (actually any ISP or DSL or Cable) and make them your new Internet Service Provider.

Again, anyone who has ever tried to cancel AOL knows that they will make you all types of offers to keep you as a customer. Usually they offer to give you a special for X amount of months.

You decline and say, you have another Internet Service provider, you don't need AOL anymore.

They will then tell you about the advantages of AOL's exclusive content and probably make you a offer for their $14.99 "Bring Your Own Access" program (uses another ISP to connect but you still get access to all AOL content and get to keep all your e-mails addresses).

If you are happy with that, change to that billing option (with Fastermac.net it's still cheaper and more reliable than AOL's $24.99 complete plan.

If you ONLY use AOL for e-mail, say that you:

...NEVER use any of AOL's content anymore and it is just TOO EXPENSIVE. They will try another "Hard Sell" for their service.

You can bend a little and say:

"Hey I just MAINLY use AOL for e-mail, I am not interested in the full service or content."

They will then offer you their low usage program (I think it is $9.95 with 10 hours of dial up).

...or they may jump to a e-mail only program which is $4.95 per month (some people have had offers of $2.95 per month but those are RARE.

The ONLY disadvantage of the e-mail ONLY program is that you have to check your mail via a web browser OR better yet configure Apple's mail program (or Entourage or other Mail clients) to send and retrieve your AOL mail. You will lose AOL's comfortable interface, but other e-mail clients have more features which make them better anyway.

You can find more info on how to use a 3rd Party email client here:

Link to 3rd Party AOL e-mail info

Warning: I have used this method as well as quite a few others that I know. It is not 100% guaranteed, but usually works.

(I pay $4.95 per month with AOL limited access, because I have had the same AOL e-mail address since 1995 and the $5 per month is worthwile to me to keep that e-mail address (plus the 6 others. I mainly keep it to help other User Group members with AOL problems - very few nowdays)

Think about it, if AOL can keep you for another 10 years at $5 per month, that is better than losing you as a customer all together.

Also finding a 800 phone number on the web to talk to AOL is almost impossible (they make hard so you don't cancel). Best way is to pick up a AOL disk from a Brick and Mortar store and call that number and they will switch you to the proper department.

You can go to Keyword: Billing but the number is several levels deep.

To sign up for AOL or get help with your existing account, connection, or other technical issues call 1-800-827-6364.

If you order Comcast through AOL online, you can keep AOL for only $10/month or so. It includes 10 hours of dial up.

"Also finding a 800 phone number on the web to talk to AOL is almost impossible" - Art

I located these numbers, but haven't called yet:
1 (888) 265-8007 - Mac Support
1 (888) 265-8005 - Access info
1-800-827-6364 - AOL Corporate
(Their corporate site says, re the last number: "Especially if you’re having trouble getting online, you can always get AOL support the good old-fashioned way by calling 1-800-827-6364." - from the "24/7" page.)

Also, if interested,
The AOL corporate site: http://www.corp.aol.com/

Have had improved access since yesterday, though not "perfect." Art - Thank you for the suggestions.
One more question anyone: Is there a significant difference between DSL & Cable for using a webcam (iChat with iSight or camera, or?) - Thanks ever so much for all the suggestions & support.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Jo Disler,

Cable is usually several times faster than DSL, so it depends on how much bandwidth you use. You'll have less chance of a bandwidth problem with cable, but you pay for it (more $$$).

Your DSL speed is going to be limited by how far you are from the Telco switch. While they have speeds up to 1.5MB down or more, you may not be able to get those speeds depending on where your house is located in relation to the Telco.

Cable is 6MB down right now, however, in some areas you may get slower speeds during peak hours of use in your community.

Like Jack said, Cable is MUCH faster, but it cost more. If you have the budget, go with Cable!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Jo Disler:
"Also finding a 800 phone number on the web to talk to AOL is almost impossible" - Art

I located these numbers, but haven't called yet:
1 (888) 265-8007 - Mac Support
1 (888) 265-8005 - Access info
1-800-827-6364 - AOL Corporate
(Their corporate site says, re the last number: "Especially if you’re having trouble getting online, you can always get AOL support the good old-fashioned way by calling 1-800-827-6364." - from the "24/7" page.)

Also, if interested,
The AOL corporate site: http://www.corp.aol.com/

Have had improved access since yesterday, though not "perfect." Art - Thank you for the suggestions.
One more question anyone: Is there a significant difference between DSL & Cable for using a webcam (iChat with iSight or camera, or?) - Thanks ever so much for all the suggestions & support.

One more alternative to think about. Oakland County is going wireless this year. Their test communities are Birmingham, Oak Park, Pontiac and one other northern county I cant recall. Those test communities are supposed to go online at the end of March with the rest of the county to be added during 2006 as the months go on. Not sure if they will keep to their schedule but if they do, service will be free for a low speed wireless that will be equivalent to DSL. Higher speed wireless will have a fee attached (I've seen figures of $20/month).

As far as AOL, if you belong to AARP, they give you a 10% discount, so ask for that if you stay with aol. If you yell and scream enough, they have lower rates. My neighbor pays $14.95/mo for unlimited dial-up.

Just thought of one more thing. Be careful if you buy a new TV. All analog TV's go dark on February 17, 2009 when signals change to digital. Same thing with analog VCR's and DVD's. Oh, they will still PLAY movies but they won't be able to record off the air because there won't be any analog signals. You will either have to get a digital TV, or DVD (I doubt they will ever make digital VCR's), or you will need to buy a converter box for each of those items. The government is making plans to give every home 2 $40 subsidies to help pay for up to 2 converter boxes. If you currently have cable, the cable companies will supply you with a new digital box (for an extra price, I'm sure). So my advice is to buy a digital TV in anticipation of the switchover. And on February 17, 2009, all your analog TV's go to the curb for trash pickup.

"One more question anyone: Is there a significant difference between DSL & Cable for using a webcam (iChat with iSight or camera, or?) - Thanks ever so much for all the suggestions & support."

Be aware that the uplink speed is generally much less than the downlink speed. Many connections, both DSL and Cable, limit uplink sppeds to 300-400 Kbps, regardless of downlink speed.

This means that Video Chat and VoIP connections may not work quite as you expect. Speed tests at www.dslreports.com will show you your numbers.

In fairness to AOL, must complete this discussion: After all the helpful ideas (which I'll hang on to) it was the PHONE!!! - not AOL.
Have 2 physical lines, one for internet. It had no dial tone this morning, so called SBC. Their repair man came out within about an hour, and spent about 3 hours getting it fixed.- all involving SBC outdoor connections & lines (so no charge to us)
Apparently some wiring frayed to the point of no return.
My compliments to SBC for the prompt service. May still look into hi-speed to join the modern age.
Thanks a bunch, everyone.

With DSL you could eliminate the cost of the 2nd line and AOL's monthly rate. DSL would work over your voice line (yes, you can be on the phone and the internet at the same time). Just food for thought!

Glad you got it worked out for now.