AOL, network client killer

Factual Questions
1

I have another case where some…user…tried to do an AOL install and killed his network connectivity. I’ve tried different NICs. They will install, but the PC can’t see the network.
Does anyone know how AOL does this? I really don’t want to reinstall Windows and have the user claim later that I lost his stuff.

Thanks!

2

Don’t know how it happens but it happens. I had AOL 5.0 on my home machine and then installed Novell so I could dial into work from home. NO PROBLEMS… When AOL 6.0 came out I downloaded / installed it and all of a sudden none of my Novell stuff was showing up at all. I had to re-install Windows, re-install AOL 6.0, then re-install Novell. For some reason the network stuf has to be last because AOL pulls a Microsoft and installs itself as the ONLY provider. I’m interested to see if any other dopers have a solution.

NP: Arch Enemy - Burning Bridges

OH - and please remind the ‘user’ that the stuff is lost because he/she installed unapproved software on the machine. It is not your fault you have to re-install Windows and ‘loose stuff’ - it is the users fault!

3

Why not? Hell, that’s a suitable punishment. One which, in fact, you should deliver with a sound statement to the effect of “This is what happens when you install software that isn’t allowed/approved/used here/whatever your situation is.”

This is my last week as somebody whose primary job function is technical support, so you may have surmised that I’m looking to take out some frustration on dumb users who do dumb things. :slight_smile:

Next week: full-time librarian. I get to take off the tech support hat for good.

4

Don’t want to be patronizing, don’t know how much you know…

  1. You erased all the AOL adapters, protocols, bindings, etc.
  2. You installed the correct adapter for the NIC installed in the computer.
  3. You have TCP/IP installed, and bound to the NIC.
  4. You have maybe other protocols installed as used at your work (NetBUI, etc.).
  5. You have the correct services installed, depending on your network? A plain, vanilla Windows network shouldn’t need any services installed.
  6. In the settings for TCP/IP, you have the correct IP address OR have it set to be autodetected.
  7. If you have a network that uses Windows DNS, you may have to look for a hosts file for Windows name resolution.
  8. If in doubt, copy the settings (except the IP address) from a computer that DOES work.
  9. PUNISH the user in some good way!
5

Try this simple one 1st
start>run
type winipcfg
press enter
change the dropdown menu to the network card
press release
wait about a minute or until the ip address goes to 00.00.00.00
then press renew
wait another minute or till a new ip address comes up

if it is still 00.00.00.00 after a minute close and restart.

6

I’m on the third NIC, and frankly I’ve spent too much time on it. FORMAT C:
If anyone knew how AOL did it, I’d make the fix, but I’ve got a lot of users to take care of who don’t install their own software and need my attention.
:slight_smile: