AOL Quick Reference Guide: Upgrading Your AOL Software

Print this handy Quick Reference to keep at your side!

This quick reference guide has four parts:

Installing the AOL 8.0 Software

Follow these steps to install the AOL 8.0 software and copy your existing settings (such as your Screen Names, Filing Cabinet, Favorite Places, software settings and AOL downloads) from an earlier version of AOL.

Important: Before you start the AOL Setup program, it is strongly recommended that you exit all other programs that may be running, including shareware and freeware. Otherwise, you may not be able to install the AOL 8.0 software or AOL Setup may be unable to detect your connection devices such as a modem.

To upgrade to the AOL 8.0 software

  1. Download the FREE AOL software from AOL Keyword: Upgrade.
  2. Start the AOL Setup program. This will happen automatically if you are downloading the software from AOL Keyword: Upgrade.
  3. Click Current Member.
  4. Click Upgrading to a new version of AOL on this computer, and then click Next.

  1. Setup will locate the most recently used version of the AOL software.
    • To copy settings from this version, click Next.
    • To copy settings from a different version, click Search for additional versions of the America Online software, and then click Next.

  1. To transfer files you have downloaded from AOL to the AOL 8.0 software, click Next.

  1. Click Next to accept the default install folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\America Online 8.0). The installation process will start.

If the AOL 8.0 Setup program does not start automatically after the download is finished, or if you need to find the AOL 8.0 Setup program, follow these steps.

  1. Click Start, point to Programs and then click Windows Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the folder that your current AOL software is in — e.g., C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0 — and then double-click the folder to open it.
  3. Look for a folder named aol80, double-click to open it, and then double-click setup.exe to start the AOL 8.0 Setup program.

Setting Up Your New AOL 8.0 Software

Once AOL 8.0 has been installed, the software will be started and will prompt you to set up your AOL connection.

  1. Click Next. The AOL software will automatically search for available connection devices such as a modem, network Internet connection, or home network.
  2. On the Select Your Connection window, click your connection method, and then click Next.

Removing Older Versions of the AOL Software

Important: You should start the AOL 8.0 software, sign on to the AOL service, and confirm that the software is working as expected before you remove your older AOL software.

To remove older versions of the AOL software

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. (Windows XP users, click Start, and then click Control Panel.)
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Select America Online in the list of installed software, and then click Add/Remove. The AOL Uninstall program will start and search for versions of the AOL software on your computer.
  4. On the Uninstall America Online window, click each version of the AOL software you wish to remove, and then click Next. The versions you chose will be removed.

  1. Click Finish.
  2. Click OK to close the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel.

Freeing Up Disk Space

If you are running out of room on your hard drive, you may need to free up some additional space before you can install the AOL 8.0 software. Microsoft Windows comes with a program called Disk Cleanup that is designed to help you free up space on your hard drive by removing files that you can safely delete.

To start Disk Cleanup

  • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

You can also get additional space by removing programs that you no longer use.

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Select a program from the list of installed software, and then click Add/Remove.


Download Tips

· The time it takes to download AOL 8.0 varies depending on several factors, including your modem speed and system configuration. If you are using a standard dial-up modem, you may want to download the AOL 8.0 software right before you go to bed to avoid tying up your phone line.
· If your download is interrrupted for any reason, simply sign back on, return to AOL Keyword: Upgrade, and click Start Upgrade Now! Your download will resume where it was interrupted.

Default Software Tips

· If you use only the AOL software to visit the Internet, send e-mail, and use newsgroups, choosing to make AOL your preferred application for Web, e-mail and newsgroups will save you time.
· If you make AOL your preferred CD player, the AOL Media Player will start any time you insert an audio CD into the CD ROM drive on your computer.
· You can always set these preferences at a later time. Go to AOL Keyword: Internet Help for more information.