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Posted 5 months, 2 weeks ago at 3:37 PM. 4 comments
With the Aim help forums down, we tackle a question thats been asked on other help sites. We’ll tackle the American carriers and see how much it would cost to use AIM. Let’s take a look into some definitions first.
What’s the difference?
SMS Text: SMS messages are quite commonly known as texts. If your AIM Mobile application uses text messages, you will get charged one text for signing on, one for retrieving your buddy list, and one for updating your buddy list.
Additionally you will be charged for sending an IM and charged for receiving an IM. If you take this route it should take you at least 4 text messages to sign on and off. If your a heavy AIM user, you might want to consider asking for unlimited texting plan.
Data: Data messages are sent over your mobile phone’s data stream. This is commonly known as 3G, Edge, or Wi-Fi. 3G and Edge is provided by your cellphone carrier. More likely than not if you use 3G or Edge, you probably have an unlimited data plan, but you should still check with your carrier to make sure.
If you use Wi-Fi, it’s for the most part free if you have your own coverage at home. However in public facilities companies may charge Wi-Fi access, luckily they require a password before you connect, meaning that you won’t get charged until you supply credit card info.
In Plain English Please?
Texting: You will get charged per text, unless you have unlimited text messages.
Data: You will get charged per kilobyte or megabyte, unless you have unlimited data plan.
Sending Text Messages from the Computer?
If your on the computer, AIM allows you to send text messages to cellphones for free. The person who sends text messages on the computer will not be charged.
The person who recieves the text message will get charged. Before texting anyone, please make sure to ask them before hand if they have a texting plan.
Any differences between phones?
- What about the Blackberry?
- Blackberry for the most part uses a data plan. However T-Mobile’s built in application will use text messages. You can however download different IM applications for blackberry. Read here for more info.
- What about Windows Mobile?
- What about the iPhone?
- The iPhone uses data through Edge, 3G, or Wi-Fi. The iPhone has an unlimited data plan so feel free to use AIM anytime.
Posted 7 months, 1 week ago at 11:49 PM. 12 comments
Another frequently asked question. So we’ll walk you through on how to remove messages from appearing inside your Buddy Update box in the AIM Buddy Info.
Please note that it can take 5 days for buddy updates to disappear from the box.
Buddy updates are controlled through two locations. One is within Aim 6.8 and another is located at its own special website. If you use Aim 6.9 you’ll need to perform both methods. If you don’t use Aim 6.9 you just have to perform the first method.
Method 1: Buddy Updates Website
On the Right side you will see a heading that says “Sites that you already have.” You need to click delete under everything that is listed there. Remember that it takes 5 days for buddy info updates to disappear.
Once your done the box will no longer appear as long as you do not alter your status message. However there are other programs that alter the status messages.
Method 2: Aim 6.9 Plugins
In Aim 6.9, plugins can trigger your buddy info updates in several different ways:
- If you install Aim 6.9 for the first time.
- If you install a new plugin.
- If a plugin changes status message for you, e.g. AIM Music Link
Aim 6.9 luckily has privacy settings for plugins. Some plugins like AIM Music Link, has its own built in settings that need to be disabled in order for this to work. Follow these steps to ensure status messages are not updated:
- Open Aim 6.9
- Click Edit.
- Click Settings
- Click Privacy
- Uncheck “I have updated my profiles or blogs”
- Uncheck “I have installed a new AIM Plugin”
Method 2b: Aim Music Link Status
- Open Aim 6.9
- Click View > Plugins
- Click Aim Music Link Preferences
- Uncheck Share Music with your Buddies.
- Click OK.
So again, as long as you don’t update your status, your buddy info updates box will disappear after 5 days of the last update message.
If you need further help please comment below with your AIM screen name, or type your “AIM” email address in the mail section of the comment form.
Posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago at 9:49 PM. 8 comments
Some users have reported having a message pop up whenever they IM someone who is offline. This message states:
Offline IM Storage is Full
So far we know that this problem has to be fixed through AOL staff. Which unfortunately means you’ll have to wait your turn for your screen name to be fixed. In case it has taken several days and your screen name has not been fixed we would like for you to test out the possible workaround below and post a comment below:
Access AIM Logging Settings
- Open AIM 6
- Click Edit > Click Settings
- Click IM Logging
The quickest way to work around this problem would be to click “Delete log files“. You may not want to lose every past conversation, instead you can delete certain screen name logs you no longer need. Click within the address path where all the logs are stored, right click and press Select All, then press CTRL+C to Copy, you will now be able to go directly to that folder.
Access Logs Stored on Computer
- Open Windows Explorer
- In the Address Bar, press CTRL+V on your keyboard
- Press Enter to reach the folder
You can delete any screen name that appears there. This shall free up some space for your offline storage and will postpone the error message.
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:41 PM. 0 comments
This previous issue has been fixed.
There have been many reports about users unable to send any messages in AIM Chatrooms. The error message is as follows:
OnlineHost: We’re sorry, we are unable to send your message. Please remove the Web address and try again
This occurs for most of the messages that are sent even though there are no web links in your text. This is an AOL HOST issue, this means that AOL and only AOL can fix it. In the meantime there are several workarounds you can do to avoid this problem.
Workarounds
The first workaround involves upgrading your version of Aim to Aim 6.8.10.4 or Aim 6.9. You can upgrade your Aim versions by following the links below
You can use either version to fix the problem. Unfortunately users of Windows Me, MAC, and Windows 98 will be left out. This includes iChat, Adium, Meebo, T-mobile Sidekick, and others.
Posted 12 months ago at 6:19 PM. 18 comments
It appears that today, there has been an IM circulating around to every screen name. The message is as follows:
Dear AIM USERS, Because of our overloading of our servers, we are being forced to extract our non-active AIM users. Because this is a free service, AOL has exceeded the budget for the AIM service. We are asking that you send this exact message to 20 other AIM users to ensure us that you’re an active AIM user. Our system tracking devise will pick up this message to keep you on our active list. You have 72 hours to complete this task or your service will be cancelled immediately. Starting January 1st, 2009, we will be charging a small fee for registering of a screen name for AIM. Thank you for your time and for using AOL or AIM. Sincerely Mark Jenkins.
We regret to inform you that although we sent out a warning telling all aim users we are cutting accounts that we see are not being used regularly people have not been responding.So as warned we shall begin cutting accounts starting Friday July 18. Forward this message to 30 or your account as well shall be cut. Thank you for using AOL Instant Messenger
Dear AIM users, Because of our overloading of our a servers, we are being forced to extract our non-active AIM users. Because this is a free service, AOL has exceeded the budget for the AIM service. We are asking that you send this exact message to 20 other AIM users to ensure us that you’re an active AIM user. Our system tracking devise will pick up this message to keep you on our active list. You have 72 hours to complete this task or your service will be cancelled immediately. Starting December 10, 2008, we will be charging a small fee for the registering of a screen name for AIM. Thank you
Is this message True or False?
False! This is actually “chain” instant message to scare users into thinking they must send this message to everyone they know.
What happens if I send this message to other people?
AOL has been flagging this message as spam. This means that if you do send that message, you will likely get kicked off of aim and your account may be suspended. If your account has been suspended by sending this message, please login through my.screenname.aol.com and select forgot password.
In the future please disregard any IMs that are similar to this. Every few months, chain IMs are sent out giving false warnings about various things. Most of the time they want you to send it to everyone you know.
I don’t believe you, this must be true!
If you believe in every IM you get, you will most likely get your account stolen. There are people out there pretending to be AOL staff that will IM you for your password. Once you give it to them, the account is no longer yours and they can change your password in a moment’s notice. Besides, Mark Jenkins does not work for AOL, he is actually an urban artist.
Posted 1 year ago at 10:57 AM. 15 comments
This issue has been floating around for a couple of weeks now. It has not been addressed by AOL at all. Some users will receive “Unable to save your changes at this time.” error messages when trying to edit their AIM Profiles. This usually occurs when all profile information has been mysteriously deleted.
Currently Fixed
There have been a small amount of users who have noticed their profiles are back in working order. This has been fixed by AOL.
Unable to change Private Profile to Public
Also we’ve been receiving reports about users unable to switch between private and public profiles because the options are grayed out. Please keep in mind that until your screen name hits its sixteenth birthday, you will not be able to change it to a public profile.
Code Snippet Module Removed
In another upset, AOL has removed the Code Snippet module due to bugs, it is expected to come back at an unknown date.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 12:29 AM. 4 comments
Recently, there has been a rise in AIM Spam links being sent out to everyone. Most of the messages go along the lines of:
Someone has an AIM CRUSH on you!
Click here – to find out who it is
I just got a free iPhone in the mail. Want to get your free iPhone? Go HERE and find out how!
I’ve got a bit of crush on you! But if you wanna find out who I am you gotta play along with my game! First, go here and you’ll find out more!
Somone special has sent you a – 
– (kiss)
Find out who here
Although Spam messages are certainly not new. This recent influx has annoyed people to no end. You can essentially protect yourselves and other persons using AIM on your computer by trying out these methods.
If they have been annoying you, call up and complain to the “Mobile Messaging” company at 1-800-416-6129
Link Preview Plugin
Link Preview plugin is one of the first place winners in the Open Aim Top Coder Contest. Essentially Link Preview lets you preview an image of a website before you actually visit it. Now it certainly won’t protect you from viruses but you can use it to get an idea of where these spammy links are sending you to. More likely than not, if its an adult site you’ll be bombarded with popups as soon as you reach.
Gundoff: Malicious Link Question
Gundoff plugin essentially asks you if you really want to go to the link. Using bright red text and an ominous warning, the plugin will more likely prevent newer computer users from clicking on links. Still it won’t stop viruses, but at least you won’t get infected by accidentally clicking a link.
Blocking Them
The best way to not receive any SPAM from random screen names is to block everyone not on your buddy list.
- Click Edit
- Click Settings
- Click Privacy
- Click Allow only Users on my Buddy List
- Click Save
Now only people on your buddy list can IM you. We do know that certainly this is not the most effective way but this will do until someone out there creates a plugin that pre-screens all IMs and closes the conversation if it detects spam. Yes I know there is a plugin for this on Trillian but Aim 6 still needs one.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago at 10:11 PM. 8 comments
Well it seems the Translate plugin has struck yet again. First it was “orbidden” and now every message you receive in AIM says translate. For Example:
Me: Hello
You: Translate
You: Translate
So again with the same steps as before you will need to disable or uninstall the Translator plugin.
How to Stop AIM from repeating the word “Translate” with every IM
- Click on Edit
- Click On Settings
- Click on Plugins
- Uncheck Translator
- Click Save
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 2:44 PM. 4 comments
About every few days, someone experiences a few problems with installing Aim 4.7 for Mac. This isn’t entirely your fault but its time to put Aim 4.7 into perspective as to why this happens and what you can do about it. The Error message they receive is:
Unable to unarchive “aim.bin” into “…”
(Error 45 – Operation not supported.)
Aim 4.7: Why you should not install it?
Aim 4.7 is currently the last GM release for Macs. Aim 4.7 was released on February 18th, 2004. Now take a moment to think about what year it is today… Great! Now that we got that squared away. Lets now look at the problems most people have with AIm 4.7
- Aim 4.7 for Mac randomly signs off
- Aim 4.7 for Mac randomly quits while Away.
Aim 4.7: How to Install it?
Well if you still don’t want to heed my warning about installing it, and you receive the message that you are unable to unarchive “aim.bin” or AIM opens the Firefox browser when you run the installer, you can fix this problem by downloading Stuffit Expander.
You can download Stuffit Expander and fill out the information on that site so that you may install Aim 4.7 For Mac that was released in 2004.
What are other ways to install Aim for Mac?
Well I’m glad you made it this far. Fortunately for you there are several programs out there that you can obtain for FREE that were updated in 2008. Here are some of them:
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 12:23 PM. 9 comments
Two quick issues that have been reported this week but I didn’t get time to cover them completely.
Jan 01, 2009
AOL removed the unsend button in Webmail again.
Why were the Status and Unsend buttons Removed
The Status button and Unsend Button are now removed from the AOL Webmail. The AOL Mail blog reported that they had to remove these two features “because of the way these features were implemented, they were preventing us from achieving the best product performance”
Where can I find the Status and Unsend Buttons
They are still located in AOL Desktop and AOL 9.1
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago at 3:07 PM. 6 comments
As Randy Falco, CEO of AOL, gets closer to his dream of making AOL the most profitable advertising network, users were treated with a brand new ad inside the buddy info. These ads now take up a considerable amount of space at the bottom of the buddy info. The window is now stuck at a much larger width than before
This did not set off well with the AIM userbase, as there have been complaints about this new ad system:
“THANK YOU PEOPLE FOR UNDERSTANDING HOW ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THIS IS!!! I HATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO THE BUDDY INFO BOX, I CAN’T STAND IT!! ITS ANNOYING AND POINTLESS AND MAKES THE BUDDY INFO LOOK LIKES ITS NOT ABOUT BUDDY INFO AT ALL” ~DanceStar
“EPIC FAIL FOR AIM.” ~nj
“AIM MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO WAKE UP” ~a concerned mother
” SUCH A SMALL CHANGE AND I WANNA RIP MY EYES OUT >> GET RID OF THE ADS !” ~Robby
“Your actually doing negative advertising for these companies. SCREW VERIZON…the first company to buy the ad. I make a point to never buy any product of people you advertise for. STOP ALREADY.” ~jimmy
As you can see from all those CAPS LOCKS, people are enraged over this! I did notice that there was not much complaints against the text ads AOL placed in the buddy info, maybe they should reconsider implementing that instead.
In other news, AIM has added more integration with AIM profiles by adding a “Profile Buddies” tab in the Buddy Info.
Also Note AimAdHack now removes these Ads.
Posted 1 year, 5 months ago at 1:33 PM. 56 comments
A very frequently asked question. Not that its hard to do but I guess people can’t find it? Anyways follow the steps below on how to get rid of Aim Dashboard:
Disable AIM Zones or Aim Dashboard from Popping Up In Internet Explorer
- Open Aim 6
- Click Edit
- Click Settings
- Click Sign In / Sign Out
- Click None
- Click Save
Disable AIM From Starting When Windows Starts
- Open Aim 6
- Click Edit
- Click Settings
- Click Sign In/ Sign Out
- Uncheck Start Aim When Windows Starts
- Click Save
You’ll need to do this to each and every screen name you have on the Sign On screen as its different settings per screen name. And thats all there is to this. If you have a mac, commenter Aaron left instructions for you.
Disable AIM Zones or Dashboard on a Mac
- Click Aim
- Click Preferences
- Uncheck “Show AIM start page when I sign in”
Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 11:21 PM. 5 comments
Want to remove or delete Buddy Updates from AIM Buddy Info?
Click Here!
Usually, I consider this a bug but it has taken so long to get fixed that now I wonder if its actually a fix.
After upgrading from Aim 6.1 to Aim 6.5 the buddy updates box that shows when your away messages updated has gone missing.
The buddy updates box now only shows for RSS feeds, Aim Share, and Aim Profiles. However, all update entries still show up at settings.aim.com, just not in the buddy info.
If you want something there to show up, just update your profile, add an rss feed, or even share a link, and the box will come back but only for those entries.
Note: If you add an Aim Share link, there is currently no way to remove it from listing until it expires and that can take a long time.
Posted 1 year, 6 months ago at 2:17 PM. 0 comments
So who is McLovin12Four, and how did he get on your buddy list? McLovin12Four is another Official AIM Bot that advertises for the movie Superbad.
If your buddy list has the category “AIM Bots” you should see him on your buddy list today.
If you do not want to see AIM Bots on your buddy list, delete the category by doing the following.
1. Click to Highlight the Aim Bots Category.
2. Right Click and Press Delete
Posted 1 year, 7 months ago at 9:15 PM. 494 comments
Connection Timed Out
Periodically throughout the year, AOL’s servers may be down or blocking connections. When this occurs, every time you sign on, you’ll receive the message “Connection Timed Out.” The details of why a server may be down is never revealed, because of this, only AOL’s staff can fix it. AOL Staff usually calls this an “AOL HOST ISSUE”. This means it is an internal problem occurring inside of AOL’s facilities.
Since I and everyone else does not work for AOL, its unlikely you’ll be able to do anything to fix it. In the meantime you can comment below whenever you receive this message. If its a big server outage, others will join in and comment about a similar experience.
While a server is down, you may be unable to connect to AIm 6.9, Aim 5.9, Aim Express, AOL.com, and AOL Forums. However, you may have other screen names that can connect. Don’t panic! Some AOL servers may be down while the rest are up. All you can do in the meantime is wait until the server comes back online. You can think of these server outages like a rolling blackout.
Workaround to connect to AIM
Try out these suggestions when you receive this error message:
- Try signing onto another screen name
- Try signing onto another AIM client like Aim 5.9
- Try signing onto another AIM service like Meebo, E-buddy, and others.
- Try checking your firewall if it’s blocking connections to AIM
- Try contacting your IT department to allow connections to AIM
