Can't log into iChat using AIM account

Question

Level 1

16 points

Can't log into iChat using AIM account

All of a sudden AIM refused to accept my password. When I went to try and reset my password, the alternate email account I had set up is long defunct. AOL is no help, they say there is no information to verify my identity, since the account was set up so long ago there was no option to enter verification info, and they can't delete the account ecause they can't verify, or update my contact infor since they can't verify... etc.

So is my only other choice to set up a new AIM account?

Is there a better service provider (me.com or google talk) for an IM account?

AOL is a PITA.

iMac 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on May 9, 2012 12:07 AM

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Answer 1

May 9, 2012 11:22 AM in response to fogharty

Hi,

With AIM and to a certain extent the @mac.com site for doing Password recovery does work simpler if you have an active email *** one is just sent to you.

Both have a way of doing it "On Line" but this does require that you remember the Security Questions that you answered.

Not that I have ever thought to check but I am sure the questions have changed over time.

Your Specs say OS X 10.6.6

In this case to "Keep" those AIM Buddies I would go for an @mac.com name (registration here)

Keep the password to 16 characters or Less (AIM Server Limits)

You will need a email address that is not already linked to another Apple ID.

(An iCloud Issued @me.com name will not work in iChat 5.x.x)

Googletalk based on your GoogelMail ID is ok if you have lots of Jabber Buddies that use Macs (iChat or Messages beta) if you want the Video chats and Screen Sharing bits.

If the password at AIM has not been reset it may pay to check if it still works

Can you sign in here at AIM Settings ?

If you go to Applications/Utilities and open Keychain Access can you look up your AIM Name ?

(Keep Login top left, Passwords lower left and then look through the list on the right)

Double click the line to bring up the Info panel

Tick the Show Password box

(Enter your Login password and click Allow Once in the dialogue box that appears)

Is the Password what you think it is ?

Check the Access tab.

Is this allowing iChat (or Messages beta) to Access the password ?

7:22 PM Wednesday; May 9, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

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Answer 2

fogharty Author

Level 1

16 points

May 9, 2012 12:51 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Both have a way of doing it "On Line" but this does require that you remember the Security Questions that you answered.

Not that I have ever thought to check but I am sure the questions have changed over time.

Right... there were no Security questions when I first signed up with AIM... in the late 1990's. And the email address I used is long out of use.

If the password at AIM has not been reset it may pay to check if it still works

Can you sign in here at AIM Settings ?

No, and now it says the account has been suspended due to "suspicious activity" i.e. too many login attempts.

If you go to Applications/Utilities and open Keychain Access can you look up your AIM Name ?

I looked up the name and password on Keychain, I'm sure I'm using the correct combination, AIM/AOL just suddenly refuses to recognize them.

In this case to "Keep" those AIM Buddies I would go for an @mac.com name (registration here)

Keep the password to 16 characters or Less (AIM Server Limits)

You will need a email address that is not already linked to another Apple ID.

(An iCloud Issued @me.com name will not work in iChat 5.x.x)

I'm using iChat 5.0.3 and trying to sign up for a @mac.com name is also dealing me fits. It says I already have a mac.com account (although I never signed up for one) and although I'm trying alternative email accounts, it says they are already tied to this Apple ID (the one I'm using to post here.)

I must be doing something wrong.

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Answer 3

May 9, 2012 1:03 PM in response to fogharty

Hi,

Suspended Accounts need wading through this

It does include an email address to do this (I would explain you have changed your email as well)

Other IDs

Start here

Use the Manage Account option then Forgot ID.

It will give you suggestion such as your name and other emails you may have used to find other IDs

Concentrate of the email you were trying to use.

I once discovered I had an Apple ID that contained a space between my first and last name that was a surprise to me.

9:03 PM Wednesday; May 9, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply

Answer 4

fogharty Author

Level 1

16 points

May 9, 2012 1:23 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi,

I sent AOL/AIM an email, I hope they respond eventually.

I did try to create a mac.com account/Apple ID using your above link, but it would not allow me to do the final step of "Create ID", instead the captcha reset to blank and it wouldn't finalize the process. I even tried to do it again in Firefox, since I discovered many of the Apple online forms do not work in Safari.

Then I tried to check Other IDs, but I got the message that there's been too much activity on the acocunt (?) and it's been suspended for eight hours.

This is getting annoying. All I want to do is use iChat to share someone's screen so I can help them with their iPhoto, etc. And up until a few days ago, this had been working very well. (Skype isn't a good option... it's too complicated for the other person.)

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Answer 5

May 10, 2012 11:35 AM in response to fogharty

Hi,

I have come across the "Manage Account" option not finding what I thought was a Name when looking for Name only.

I added various emails I thought it might be and tried again.

If you are registering a new @mac.com name then it will reset if the name you chose exists already (BUT it does not tell you that is the reason).

7:35 PM Thursday; May 10, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Reply