kmosx: How To Manually Uninstall/Reinstall AOL

How To Manually Uninstall/Reinstall AOL

If you are able to get online, download this new copy of AOL For Mac OS X, and save to Desktop.

Or download a copy of the AOL® Client from Macintosh Downloads - AOL Downloads, and save to Desktop.

If you can't get Online or Download, you can use an AOL CD. Even the AOL 9.0 Security Edition and AOL 9.0 Optimized, have an installer for OS X.
If you do use a CD, on completion of the install, check to make sure you have installed AOL For Mac Version 10.3.7 (Revision 4136.3.xx (US)). At this time: March 1, 2006.
The xx will be numbers, that represent the origin of the software, CD or downland. They are inconsequential.

If the installed AOL, has a lower Version number, use AOL KeywordUpgrade, to get the most recently released version.

Ready? Let's Begin!

Go to System Preferences > Network and write down or take screen shots of the preferences you have set. Depending on how you connect, you may have to reset some custom options later.

Sign off & Quit AOL and all other applications.

Just to be on the safe side, pull the files/folders listed below, into a newly created Folder on your Desktop, named something like Saved AOL Files, for safe keeping.

These files are located HD > Users > Shared > America Online ( HERE)

Your Address Book
All of your Contacts files
All of your Favorites files
All of your Filing Cabinets files

If present, put the files & folders I have listed below, in the Trash. Some may not be found, on your system.
If you prefer, you can create a new folder on your Desktop, named something like AOL Trash Folder, and deposit the files there, temporarily.
If you follow these directions EXACTLY, and trash ONLY the listed files & folders, that shouldn't be necessary.

The PATHS are in all CAPITALS, and the files/folders are listed under the path.
PATH & File or Folder: will not be repeated in the list. It shows in the first entry as an example.

PATH: HD > APPLICATIONS >
File or Folder: AOL or America Online (Application)

HD > APPLICATIONS > INSTALLERS >
Install AOL For Mac OS X (Application) It's an old one, but you may want to keep this in case of an emergency. This is one that may not be present.

HD > USERS > SHARED >
America Online (Folder)

HD > USERS > HOME > DOCUMENTS >
America Online (Folder) If Present

HD > USERS > HOME > LIBRARY > COOKIES >
Cookies.plist (File)

HD > USERS > HOME > LIBRARY > LOGS > CRASHREPORTER >
AOL.crash.log (File) (You may want to keep this one for future reference)

HD > USERS > HOME > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES >
America Online (Folder)
com.aol.aol.plist (File)
AOL for OS X Backup Installer (Application)

Although you may have to reset some of your connection preferences, for other browsers, to ensure there are no AOL prefs lurking about, trash these files, if present:

HD > USERS > HOME > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES >
com.apple.internetconfig.plist (File)
com.apple.internetconnect.plist (File)
com.apple.internetpref.plist (File)

Empty the Trash
Repair Permissions. At this point, it wouldn't hurt to restart, and Repair Permissions again.

After that, reinstall AOL from the new Installer on the Desktop.

Follow the prompts of the AOL Installer.

Just make sure, when asked if you have an existing AOL account, that you would like to use, say Yes.
This should ensure that your Address Book, Favorites, Contacts, and Filing Cabinets will be preserved.

After you have successfully installed, sign off & quit AOL.
Repair Permissions yet again.
Restart.

Now reset the options in System Preferences > Network. Instructions below.
I can only show you, how I have mine set, using the Apple Internal Modem with Dial-Up, on an iMac G3 running Panther 10.3.x.
This is where you can refer to the screenshots, or notes you took, to set a configuration that works for your system.

NETWORK/INTERNET SYSTEM PREFERENCES (Apple Internal Modem Using Dial-Up) Adjustments may be necessary for different Mac models, systems, and connection method.

While AOL is not loaded, go to:

System Preferences > Network > Location: Select Automatic
Show: Select Internal Modem Or however you connect

On the PPP screen, click PPP Options. Check ONLY
Disconnect when user logs off

On the TCP/IP screen, Configure using IPv4: Select Using PPP

On the Modem screen, Select your modem from the list. I'm using an iMac (Summer 2001), and I have Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.90) selected.

Check Enable error correction and compression in modem
Wait for dial tone before dialing
Show modem status in menubar This one isn't necessary, I just like it there!

Also select your Country.

Then, Location: Automatic
Show: Network Port Configurations
Make sure Internal Modem, or however you connect, is checked and at the top of the window.
Click Apply Now at the bottom of the screen.


After you have those configured, load AOL & sign on.
The windows will take a bit longer to load. Don't panic, this is normal. The Art Database is being recreated.
Reset any custom AOL Preferences.

Check your Address Book, Favorites, Contacts, and Filing Cabinets.
If any of them are not correct, after signing off & quitting AOL again, you can swap the old files in the folder Saved AOL Files, that is on your Desktop, with the new ones. Refer to the same PATH listed earlier. Put the new ones in the trash. Move the old ones individually, to replace the ones that are now in the Trash. Don't empty the Trash until you are sure things look hunky-dory. If so, the now empty folder Saved AOL Files, can be trashed.

If you don't need to swap those files, the folder Saved AOL Files, can be trashed.


Piece A Cake!!
Seriously, it's not as complicated as it looks!

Good Luck!

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