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I cannot sign off of the AOL ISP Service.
No Summary
You may not be able to sign off the AOL® service for any one of several reasons. After trying the first solution, check to see if you can sign off the AOL service. If you are still unable to sign off, continue using the suggested solutions until the problem is fixed.
You may wish to print or save a copy of these instructions as this page may not remain visible as you go through the suggested steps.
Information You Need
You will need to know what version of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system is installed on your computer. If you do not know how to find this information, follow the instructions in the online help article entitled How to Determine Which Version of Windows® I Have.
Solutions
- Clear the AOL® Artwork Database
- Close Conflicting Programs
- Delete All Locations and Redetect Connection
Clear the AOL Artwork Database
When you use the AOL® software, it stores artwork to speed loading. However, over time old artwork from pages you no longer visit or pages that have changed can reduce efficiency.
To clear the AOL artwork database using AOL® 9.0 Optimized and above:
1. On the AOL® toolbar, click the Settings icon.
2. On the Index tab, click the Personal Storage Settings link or the Offline Storage link.
3. Reduce the Maximum disk space to use for online art: to the lowest possible setting by clicking the down arrow, then click the Save button.
4. Click the File menu, then click Exit.
5. Restart the AOL® software and repeat steps 1 and 2, increase the Maximum disk space to use for online art: value to its original setting of no more than 60 megabytes, then click the Save button.
6. Click the X button to close the Preferences window.
To reduce the size of the artwork database using AOL®8.0 and below:
1. On the AOL® toolbar, click Settings, then click Preferences.
2. Click the Font, Text & Graphics link.
3. Reduce the Maximum disk space to use for online art: to the lowest possible setting by clicking the down arrow.
4. Click the Save button.
5. Click the File menu, then click Exit.
6. Launch the AOL software, but do not sign on.
7. On the AOL® toolbar, click Settings, then click Preferences.
8. Increase the Maximum disk space to use for online art: back to its original setting.
9. Click the Save button.
10. Click the X button to close the Preferences window.
Close Conflicting Programs
The Task Manager lists all the programs and processes running on your computer at a given time. There may be other programs running that conflict with the AOL software, or are using resources the AOL software needs in order to run. These steps will close other programs until you restart your computer. To keep programs from starting when you restart your computer, please contact your computer manufacturer.
To close other programs using Windows® Vista™/XP/2000:
1. Right-click a blank or empty part of the Windows taskbar, then click Task Manager.
2. Click the Applications tab.
3. Click a program to select it, then click the End Task button.
4. If prompted, click the End Now button.
5. Click the Processes tab.
6. Click the Show processes from all users box to place a check mark in it, or click the Show processes from all users link.
Note: If using Windows Vista, click the Continue button.
7. Click Image Name to sort the processes alphabetically.
8. Click a process other than the required processes listed below to select it, then click the End Process button.
Note: If you are unsure what applications are required by your computer, please contact your computer manufacturer.
Required Processes (do not end):
- explorer.exe
- services.exe
- spoolsv.exe
- svchost.exe
- system
- taskmgr.exe
- winlogon.exe
9. If prompted by a Task Manager Warning or Windows Task Manager window, click the Yes or End Process button.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 until all non-required processes are closed, then click the X button in the upper right to close the Windows Task Manager window.
11. Start the AOL software as you normally would, then sign on to the AOL service to see if it works properly.
To close other programs using Windows Me/98:
1. On the keyboard, hold the Ctrl and Alt keys, and tap the Delete key once.
Note: Holding the Ctrl and Alt keys, then tapping the Delete key two times consecutively will restart your computer. Programs which have been turned off will restart when the system comes back up.
2. Click a program other than the required programs listed below to select it, then click the End Task button.
Required Programs (Do not end):
- explorer
- systray
3. If prompted by a Close Program window, click the End Task button.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until all non-required programs are closed, then click the Cancel button to return to the desktop.
5. Start the AOL software as you normally would, then sign on to the AOL service to see if it is working properly.
Delete All Locations and Redetect Connection
Completely deleting the connection locations and connectivity files removes any incorrect access phone number or modem settings. The AOL software will automatically search for and select the correct connection device. This process is a lot faster than manually checking to make sure everything is setup correctly.
Warning: You will incur charges on your phone bill if you select an AOL® access phone number that is a long distance call or not covered by your local calling plan. Please check with your local phone company to determine whether the access phone numbers you select are local for your plan. Remember that members on certain plans may be charged an hourly rate for dial-up connections. See AOL® Keyword: My Account for your price details.
To delete all locations, then redetect the connection using one-click fix:
Note: One-click fix is currently not compatible with Windows® Vista™. If you are using Windows Vista, please follow the manual instructions.
1. On the Windows taskbar next to the clock, right-click the AOL® icon, then click One-click Fixes.
2. Next to Categories: click the Connectivity link.
3. In the Connectivity section, next to Delete Current Connection Locations, click the Fix It For Me button.
4. Click the Continue button.
5. Click the Done button.
6. In the Connectivity section, click the Redetect Connection Devices, click the Fix It For Me button.
7. Click the Continue button.
8. Click the Done button.
Note: If you do not see the above option, please download one-click fixes.
To download One-click Fixes:
1. Go to http://fixes.aol.com/landing/start/ocfdownload.html, then click the Connectivity link.
2. In the Connectivity section, next to Delete Current Connection Locations, click the Download One-click Fixes button.
3. Click the Download and Install Now button.
4. Click the Run button.
5. Click the Run button again.
6. Click the Launch button.
7. Next to Categories:, click the Connectivity link.
8. In the Connectivity section, next to Delete Current Connection Locations, click the Fix It For Me button.
9. Click the Continue button.
10. Click the Done button.
11. In the Connectivity section, next to Redetect Connection Devices, click the Fix It For Me button.
12. Click the Continue button.
13. Click the Done button.
To manually delete all locations, then redetect the connection for AOL® 9.0 Optimized SE/LE and AOL® 9.0 Security Edition:
1. Close the AOL software.
2. Click the Start button, select All Programs or Programs, select America Online, then click AOL System Information. Click the OK button, if necessary.
3. Click the Connectivity or Connectivity Summary tab.
4. Click the Reset Locations button.
5. Click the Yes, Reset button.
6. Click the OK button.
7. Click the X button to close the window.
8. Launch the AOL software, then follow the onscreen instructions to create a new location.
To manually delete all locations, then redetect connection for AOL® 9.0 Optimized:
1. Launch the AOL software as you normally would but do not sign on.
2. Click the Sign On Options button.
3. Click the Expert Setup button.
4. Click a location to highlight it, then click the Delete button.
5. Click the OK button. Continue deleting locations until all locations are removed.
6. Click the Close button.
7. Click the Sign On button, then follow the onscreen instructions to create a new location.
To manually delete all connection locations, then redetect connection for AOL® 8.0 Plus and lower:
1. Launch the AOL software as you normally would but do not sign on.
2. Click the SETUP button.
3. Click the Expert Setup button.
4. Click a location to highlight it, then click the Delete button.
5. Click the Yes button. Continue deleting locations until the location list is blank.
6. Click the Devices (modem, etc.) tab.
7. Click a device to highlight it, then click the Delete button.
8. Click the Yes button twice. Continue deleting devices until the device list is blank.
9. Click the Close button.
10. Click the File menu, then click Exit.
11. Launch the AOL software, then follow the onscreen instructions to create a new location.
For additional support, please Contact Us.
