# how do i change Aol Instant messenger so it doesnt shut down my game

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-aol-instant-messenger-so-it-doesnt-shut-down-my-game/217784>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 8, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-aol-instant-messenger-so-it-doesnt-shut-down-my-game/217784 "2003-12-08T22:56:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-aol-instant-messenger-so-it-doesnt-shut-down-my-game/217784/1 "2003-12-08T22:56:42Z")

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When i play computer games if someone sends me an IM via AOL it shuts the game down and the sound goes out when i try to replay it.

WHat can i do to prevent the game from getting shut down due to IM’s? On MSN messenger a window pops up in the lower right corner telling you someone has signed on and their first message but it doesn’t shut down your original window. Is there a feature on Aol IM that does that?