There have been many questions about installing America On Line and other Internet Service Providers (such as LAUSDnet). Technical Support at AOL was kind enough to forward these Question and Answers regarding multiple service providers and installing AOL 3.0. If you have any question regarding these procedure please contact AOL, they will be happy to assist.
Q. What is AOL Link?
A. AOL Link is a component that we added to your MacTCP or TCP/IP ControlPanel when you installed the America Online software.
When you connect directly to America Online with your modem, AOL Link allows the integrated web browser to connect to the World Wide Web. It will also allow you to run third party Internet applications (such as Netscape(c)) while you are connected to America Online.
If you switch back and forth between a TCP/IP connection and a modem (for example, if
you have a Power Book that you use with a LAN at work, and a modem at home), you will need
to switch back and forth between your ISP or LAN settings in your MacTCP or TCP/IP Control
Panel and AOL Link.
Q. How do I switch back to my ISP or LAN settings?
A. The software can do this for you when you quit America Online after switching to AOL Link (you'll see confirmation messages, and you'll need to restart your machine if you make the change) or you can switch these settings manually in your AOL Link preferences:
To restore your ISP or LAN settings manually:
1. Double-click the America Online icon in the America Online v3.0 folder.
2. On the Members menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click the AOL Link icon. (You may need to use the scroll bar to bring this icon into view.)
4. Click Restore.
5. Restart your Macintosh for the change to take effect.
Q. Do I have to use AOL Link when I sign on to AOL with my modem?
A. No. If you just want to run Automatic AOL and get your e-mail, for example, you do not have to switch to AOL Link. However, you will not be able to use the browser, or any third party Internet applications (such as Netscape) while you are connected.
To sign on to AOL with your modem without using AOL Link:
1. Double-click the America Online icon in the America Online v3.0 folder.
2. On the Members menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click the AOL Link icon. (You may need to use the scroll bar to bring this icon into view.)
4. Uncheck the box for Use AOL Link when connecting with a modem.
5. Click OK to save your preferences.
Q. Can I switch between AOL Link and my ISP (or LAN) settings without restarting?
A. You may be able to switch back and forth between AOL Link and your ISP (or LAN) settings (depending on your hardware configuration), if you are using Open Transport with either Open Transport PPP (or Ethernet). If you are using MacTCP, you will have to restart when you switch between AOL Link and MacTCP.
To obtain the Apple Open Transport PPP software, go to aol://4344:393.
netcommu.6032847.522698463">Networking-Communications, select Open Transport, and
download the OT PPP 1.0-Net Install.sea. Refer to the Read Me file and the Users Manual in
the self-extracting archive for installation and configuration instructions.
Q. Why won't FreePPP load after I installed AOL Link?
A. On some computers Open Transport TCP/IP can load only one mdev-based link driver -- the first mdev it finds (not the one currently selected in the TCP/IP control panel). As a result, AOL Link is always loaded because it occurs first in the list.
You can work around this in one of two ways: Either use AOL to switch between the configurations, or rename the AOL Link file in your Extensions folder.
To use AOL to switch between FreePPP and AOL Link:
1. Double-click the America Online icon in the America Online v3.0 folder.
2. On the Members menu, select Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click the AOL Link icon. (You may need to use
the scroll bar to bring this icon into view.)
4. Click Restore to switch to FreePPP or Configure to switch to AOL Link.
5. Restart your Macintosh for the change to take effect.
To rename the AOL Link file:
1. Open the Extensions folder in the System folder on your hard drive.
2. Rename the AOL Link file to ~AOL Link.
3. Close the Extensions folder and the System folder.
4. Restart your Macintosh.