Normal Internet Access through AOL?

Question for PC techies etc!
I've just in the process of moving in with my partner who's using AOL B/Band with a USB modem.
Anyone know if we will be able to access the internet by ditching the USB modem, and using my router/modem (with all the AOL settings, account number etc) and both our PCs on a network?
And, will I need to load AOL bloatware etc to access the internet and email?
I'd like to avoid the AOL 'extras' if possible... unfortunatly she's very happy with it!!

RR

Well I did many years ago, not sure what its like now...

If you have the username/password and all details like VCI etc then it shouldn't be a problem to use a 3rd party modem/router.

If you're using a 3rd party mode/router, there's no need for the software at all, as the modem deals with the connection to the outside world, you just connect to the router.

Naturally this can be setup for connection on demand etc if required/supported too

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Baph

If you have the username/password and all details like VCI etc then it shouldn't be a problem to use a 3rd party modem/router.

If you're using a 3rd party mode/router, there's no need for the software at all, as the modem deals with the connection to the outside world, you just connect to the router.

i'm with AOL now and you can definately do it, you need to change a setting in your router to get it to work though, something like the MTU, whatever that is... when i get home i'll look it up for you, apart from that both our netgear modem/switch combos automatically selected all the correct settings

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

i'm with AOL now and you can definately do it, you need to change a setting in your router to get it to work though, something like the MTU, whatever that is... when i get home i'll look it up for you, apart from that both our netgear modem/switch combos automatically selected all the correct settings

Please note: Details like MCU/VCI/VCU settings may vary from exchange to exchange, even with the same ISP.

It might work on someone else's settings, but it also might not. If it doesn't, don't panic. Just call AOL up & ask them.

If they ask why, tell them that you want to replace the USB modem since you Linux machine doesn't support it easily, and you've heard AOL's Linux technical support is abismal (which it is).

If you tell AOL it's because you want to put more than one machine on the same connection, they can get a little funny about it. Don't see why, but they have in the past.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

i'm with AOL now and you can definately do it, you need to change a setting in your router to get it to work though, something like the MTU, whatever that is... when i get home i'll look it up for you, apart from that both our netgear modem/switch combos automatically selected all the correct settings

This all sounds promising! Thanks!

Just googled for AOL settings for modem/router and come up with:
Connection Protocol: PPPoA
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
MTU: 1400
MRU:1450
MSS: 1410

Plus account name and password of course.

There's also mention of creating a 'screen name' for the modem logging on to AOL. Need to investigate what how this works.
I assumed this would be the account name.

RR

Have a quick search for 'Netgear AOL quick start'
My other half's parents (against my advice) got aol broadband and were supplied with a Netgear ADSL Modem/Router. All instructions are in there and they're fairly simple.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Baph

Please note: Details like MCU/VCI/VCU settings may vary from exchange to exchange, even with the same ISP.

It might work on someone else's settings, but it also might not. If it doesn't, don't panic. Just call AOL up & ask them.

oddly enough that's exactly what we did - we were told MTU should be 1400 - i don't know much about that sort of thing but we've had it set to that since day one and it's never caused a problem

RR - i never had to enter my screen name for the router, like i said we just set it up automatically and it's worked ok since

@Moffatt - the only problem i've had with AOL is the implementation of an FUP after they were purchased by talktalk - now i'm just raping their connection for all it's worth until they kick me off and i get my MAC, like we did with tiscali

Nice plan, lone wolf! Unfortunately, on my inlaws' connection 'raping it' would be downloading a 650mb .iso image. It's so slow!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Moffatt666

Nice plan, lone wolf! Unfortunately, on my inlaws' connection 'raping it' would be downloading a 650mb .iso image. It's so slow!

haha, we've not had a speed problem, but supposedly i've been d/l 60GB a month, which even though i use a lot, seems excessive