America Online, Inc.

Voice: (800) 827-6364

America Online v3.0 for Windows:
DIP Switches: 3, 5, 8 DOWN (ON)

Start Windows and run SETUP.EXE from your America Online CD or floppy disk. Allow the program to search your system's hardware and software. Next, click Install, or choose Review, if you want to make changes to the default directory settings. After a few minutes, the program will finish installing the files. Click OK to continue. To start America Online 3.0, click the America Online 3.0 icon under the America Online program group. When the program is done updating the software, click NO. Enter an access number closest to your area and continue. Next, select your COM Port and baud rate as shown below (Note: Your settings may be different):

Setup America Online Port and Com settings

After everything is configured, click Select Modem. If none of the listed modems are the exact model you own, then choose a USRobotics modem that matches the same speed as your unit and click OK:

Modem Selection and Customization

If the software finds any discrepancies in the modem's settings, it will inform you and give you the opportunity to change them. Change settings as needed, if this happens. Click OK and then Continue. The software will now call an 800 number and find your local access number. After you have the numbers, the software will hang-up and call the selected access number and sign on.

To make changes after the initial installation, start America Online, but do not connect. Click SETUP. Next, select the profile/location you want to change and click Edit Location.

Network and Modem Setup

CHANGE PORT: Click Setup Modem and select Modem Port from the button bar. Click OK to save the changes.
CHANGE IRQ: This is found in the Windows' Control Panel.
INIT STRING: Click Setup Modem and then Edit Commands. The software will save your current settings in a profile called Custom Modem Profile. The default should work fine. This is the profile we used.

Custom Modem Profile

TERMINAL MODE: None.

Note: If you find that the modem stops responding after changes are made to the settings, and you know they are accurate, try exiting the program and going back into it.

America Online v2.5 for Windows:
Dip Switches: 3,5,8 DOWN (ON)

When the program first starts, select No to the first prompt. (See screen below).

Welcome to America Online Graphic

Next, click the appropriate COM port and baud rate. Choose 19,200 for a 14.4k modem and 38,400 or higher for faster units (see picture below).

Set Up America Online Graphic

As shown below, select your modem from the Choose Modem list. If one of the listed modems is not the exact model you own, then choose a USRobotics modem that matches the same speed as your unit. Next, click OK. The previous screen will come up again. Click OK.

Modem Selection and Customization Graphic

The next screen you will see is one for international users. If you are not an international user, click Continue to go on.

The software should now dial into America Online and give you your local access numbers. The software then re-dials and connects to the system. You are now connected and ready to start using America Online.

America Online v2.1 for Macintosh:
DIP Switches 1, 3, 5, 8 DOWN (ON)

America Online software does not work well with FAXstf. It turns out to be a port issue between the two programs. Below is a workaround for this issue:

  1. Open America Online v2.1.
  2. Select Open from the File menu.
  3. From the show list, select CCL documents.
  4. Locate the SPRINTNET file. It is located in the ONLINE FILES folder.
  5. Open the file.
  6. Scroll down about 35 lines until you find the line that reads: CheckPort 19 ~PORT
  7. Comment this line out by inserting an exclamation point(!) at the beginning of the line.
  8. Save and close the file.

America Online v1.1 rev. 38 for Windows:
DIP Switches: 3, 5, 8 DOWN (ON)

After you start the program, click Setup. If you have more than one dial-up locate defined, choose the one you want to modify. Click Setup Modem.

 CHANGE PORT: The port can be changed in the Setup Modem dialog box.
CHANGE IRQ: This is found in Windows Control Panel.
INIT STRING: Click Edit Commands. Change the init string to:
        "AT&F&B1&H1&R2&A0&K3X6^M".

TERMINAL MODE: None

In addition to the above changes, you will have to choose a modem type from the modem list in the Setup Modem dialog box. There is an option for a "Courier HST/Sportster 9600". Do not select it. You should choose the "Hayes compatible (error correcting)" modem option.