Need Help! Trying to Install AOL Desktop on my new Macbook Pro

Question

Need Help! Trying to Install AOL Desktop on my new Macbook Pro

I just received my new Macbook Pro and have transferred all of my data, from my Powerbook G4, to the new Macbook Pro. One big problem that I am having now is that I cannot get my "AOL Desktop" software to start on my new Macbook Pro. I have tried to delete the software (the AOL Desktop icon itself) and re-install several time, but every time I try to launch AOL Desktop, the cursor just sits there and spins it's little "rainbow" ball. I do have internet connection since I can access via Safari and my wireless network. Any suggestions? This is really getting frustrating... and I can't seem to find any answers in AOL's website (now that they have downsized to the point that a user can't go to them directly with questions. ARRGG!!). I would appreciate an insight to a solution to my problem. Thanks for your consideration.

Steve K. (in Flower Mound TX)

PS> Please feel free to drop a note to my e-mail, at STKMAC@AOL.COM, with any solutions. (fortunately I can still access my e-mail via the web). Thanks again!

Macbook Pro 2.4ghz, 2GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Recently migrated from a Powerbook G4 with OSX 10.5

Posted on Feb 1, 2009 9:49 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Travis A.

Level 6

14,985 points

Feb 1, 2009 8:26 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

Hi Steve,

Are you obtaining the app from AOL directly? Have you tried downloading it from this site, or are you using the app from your Powerbook? That version from your Powerbook may not be compatible with Leopard, unless you download it from the following site:

http://daol.aol.com/software/desktop-for-mac/#g

Let us know what happens when you download the application from that location and try it!

--Travis

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 2, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Travis A.

Yes! I've downloaded the AOL Desktop for Mac from the AOL website and no luck (in fact, I've downloaded it three different times). Just not sure why the application won't start up. The installation goes through fine with no errors.

Steve K.
Flower Mound TX

Reply

Answer 3

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

Feb 2, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

Stephen... did you originally migrate it from your G4? If so, you may have some preference files that remained after you deleted the application icon. You would need to delete everything again and be sure to remove any preference files. It's possible the preference files still contain data specific to your G4 which the new version doesn't like.

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 2, 2009 4:31 PM in response to JoeyR

I did migrate from the Powerbook G4 and sounds like the preference removal might work... any suggestions on what documents I might need to be looking for and where they might be located on the hard drive. Gosh! There's a lot of files in OS X 10.5.6 these days. LOL! Thanks for the advise.

Steve K.
Flower Mound TX

Reply

Answer 5

gpotts

Level 3

585 points

Feb 2, 2009 7:51 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

How did you transfer all of your files? Are you having any other problems with other programs?

Reply

Answer 6

Travis A.

Level 6

14,985 points

Feb 2, 2009 8:04 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

Hi Steve,

The preference files are located in

Home -> Library -> Preferences

AND

Macintosh HD -> Library -> Preferences

What I would try next is this... Delete the current AOL Desktop app that you have. Then, go to those folders, and look for any AOL documents located within those folders. Move those documents to the trash, but you don't have to delete them yet. Once they're in the trash, download a fresh copy of AOL Desktop, and see whether it works. If it does, then you can delete the files in the trash.

--Travis

Reply

Answer 7

Feb 3, 2009 6:29 PM in response to gpotts

I used the migration feature when I started the new Macbook Pro. The software asked me if I wanted to transfer my data to the new computer. So, using a Firewire cable, between the Powerbook G4 and the Macbook Pro, all of my files and applications were transferred to the Macbook Pro. Actually, it seemed to work really well and it was quick. The only other issue (besides the AOL Desktop thing) is that my Norton Antivirus doesn't want to work, but I can fix that with brut force (LOL!). Thanks!

Steve K.
Flower Mound TX

Reply

Answer 8

Feb 3, 2009 6:32 PM in response to Travis A.

Travis,

I have tried to delete all of the preference files (that I can find) and removing the AOL Deskop program and then re-installing from a freshly downloaded version from the link provided, and absolutely no luck. I am not sure what is going on... I've never had this much of an issue moving to a new Mac... but I am not willing to give up yet. Any other suggestions? By the way, AOL has been a "no show" with any solutions, so I do appreciate your assistance.

Steve K.
Flower Mound TX

Reply

Answer 9

Travis A.

Level 6

14,985 points

Feb 3, 2009 7:47 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

Hmm, I've never seen anything like this before either. AOL claims to support Leopard on their website, so it should work.

I still think that it is a conflict of some sort that was caused by the data that was migrated over. I just don't think we've succeeded in deleting the right file. If you do a Spotlight search for AOL, do you find any more files that may be associated with AOL Desktop? If so, delete them and try a new installation. Other than trying to hunt down more AOL files that may have been transferred, I am out of ideas! I'm sorry! Perhaps someone else will have more specific experience with AOL Desktop.

EDIT: One more thing! There may be files associated with AOL Desktop in the following folders:

Home -> Library -> Application Support

AND

Macintosh HD -> Library -> Application Support

--Travis

Message was edited by: Travis A.

Reply

Answer 10

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

Feb 4, 2009 5:54 AM in response to Stephen Kiser

Doing a full migration from a G4 to an Intel Mac can be a tricky proposition. It's possible that something else from the migration may be causing a conflict. Is there something in particular about AOL Desktop that you need? Perhaps there is an alternative.

Also... as Travis mentioned, there may still be some lingering AOL preference files. I've never been a big fan of AOL software as they tend to install quite a bit more than is necessary... including files/utilities which are not immediately clear to have been part of the AOL install.

Reply

Answer 11

ali brown

Level 7

26,493 points

Feb 4, 2009 6:06 AM in response to Stephen Kiser

Hi Stephen!

I am still using AOL For Mac OS X and have not tried Desktop.
But, you may be able to adapt the instructions here How To Manually Uninstall/Reinstall AOL For Mac OS X.

At least it may lead to where the AOL Desktop files are located, if the two versions are similar.

ali b

Reply

Answer 12

Feb 4, 2009 6:44 AM in response to Stephen Kiser

Your Norton software is also probably out of date and could be an issue.
You've moved from a PPC to the Intel and much of your software will need updating.
What ISP are you using to post to these Discussions pages? Why do you even need AOL?

Reply

Answer 13

Feb 5, 2009 7:43 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

OK! After several attempts to get AOL Desktop for Mac back up and running on my new Macbook Pro, I have not succeed and have to say that I give up at this point. I do appreciate all of the great advise on this issue and appreciate all of your efforts. So far everything else seems to be working fine, but maybe I need to explorer more of the applications. The Norton thing doesn't bother me right now, since I realize I will need to upgrade the software. I am thinking about copying all of my data off the internal hard drive and then doing a complete restore back to the original software and such on the Macbook Pro (but probably not worth the effort just for one simple program). Folks are asking why I need the AOL Desktop, and perhaps my best answer is that I have gotten use to checking and sending my e-mail via this software (since AOL has quit supporting their own stand-alone programs now). Granted, the AOL Desktop isn't perfect, but it's gives me another option without having to go through the web and accessing my e-mail via AOL's website.
Again, thanks for the input and maybe AOL will wake up and provide some fixes (does anyone know how an AOL user is support to contact AOL now?).

Steve K.
Flower Mound TX

PS> Is there anyone out there who is currently using AOL Desktop on the Macbook Pro under OS X 10.5.6?

Reply

Answer 14

Travis A.

Level 6

14,985 points

Feb 5, 2009 9:01 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

Ah! You just need the email? I don't know anything about AOL or what they offer so I assumed there was something more special about the AOL Desktop app.

You can definitely receive your AOL mail right in Apple's own Mail application! Its in your applications folder.

I found this help file on AOL.com about setting it up!

If you want to download the email and have a local copy on your machine, you should select "POP" as your email protocol when it asks you for that in the instructions. If you don't need the messages on your machine and prefer to store them on AOL's server, then IMAP is for you. Personally, I like all my messages with me; they don't take up much HD space. I would also assume you should use the ".aol.com" settings rather than the ".aim.com" settings. You'll understand when you read the link if you haven't already.

Good luck Steve! If you need any help with this process shout!

--Travis

Reply

Answer 15

gpotts

Level 3

585 points

Feb 5, 2009 9:24 PM in response to Stephen Kiser

AOL Desktop works fine on my iMac with 10.5.6. I have a feeling something went screwy with your migration of apps from the G4. An erase and install from the MBP DVD will probably help sort out issues then you can try again. Just make sure you have all of your documents backed up. You can also use AOL as IMAP with Mail.app if you just need it for email. If you only need AOL for the email address and not as an ISP I also hope you aren't [paying for AOL if you don't need backup dial up|http://free.aol.com/thenewaol/plan_choice.adp].

Reply