AOL Instant Messenger v5.5.3572 setup and options for Windows

AOL Instant Messenger v5.5.3572

Installation, Setup and Options for Windows

This html page and its images may be downloaded as a zip file (976K) here: aim-5-5-3572.zip

Installation is simple:

First, Download the software from http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win/latest_win.adp to your computer; note the name of the program and where it is being saved to.
Coldboot your computer.
Run the installation program.
Click "Yes" to the License Agreement.
Click "Next" at the "Continue with the Setup Program" window.
Install to default directory C:\Program Files\AIM95, click "Next"
If you already have a previous version of AIM installed with an AIM icon on your desktop, uncheck all of the "Put Icons to.." boxes (otherwise, Check "Put Icons to..": Desktop and Start Menu) and click "Next".
Click "Next" at the "Ready to Install" window.
After installation, if you have ZoneAlarm, it may warn that "AIM is asking permission to act as a server." Check the "Remember" box and click NO.
(the only time AIM needs to be a server is for file transfers; then zoneAlarm must grant AIM server privileges {be sure to un-grant when done}).
The AIM Sign On window will appear. Exit the program by right-clicking the AIM icon in the System Tray and clicking "Exit".
At this point, you can Trash the "Free AOL etc" desktop icon unless you are truly masochistic.
Rename the "AOL Instant Messenger" icon to "AIM v5.5.3572".
Click the "Start" button, trash the "Free AOL etc" entry either by dragging to the Recycle Bin or by rightclicking on it and clicking Delete.
Coldboot your computer again.
Go online, start AIM and sign on.
ZoneAlarm will ask "Allow AIM to access the internet?", Check the "Remember" box and click YES.
If it didn't happen before, if you have ZoneAlarm, it may warn that "AIM is asking permission to act as a server." Check the "Remember" box and click NO.
At this point you will probably get one or two pop-up windows; AIM will want to run a thing called AIM.com, it is a weak attempt to perform portal services similar to Yahoo. You may close this(these) window(s).
ZoneAlarm will probably indicate that another program wants to access the internet, this program is called "AIM WD installer".
(This is "Wild Tangent on-line games installer as part of AOL Instant Messenger. Note that Wild Tanget's privacy policy states they also collect and share individuals information.")
So unless you're really determined to play games while IM'ing as well as having your individual information collected and shared, when ZoneAlarm brings this up, Check the "Remember" box and click NO.
The Buddy List window will appear. Click on "My Aim" > "Edit Options" > "Edit Preferences..."
Make your settings look like the screen caps below. Differences between this version and v5.2.3292 will be noted as appropriate.
When done, click "Apply" and "OK".

Substantially changed in appearance, not function. The dropdown field is new and the default seems to be to have sounds turned off.

This is where you turn off the AIM.com pop-up advertising portal when AIM starts.

This is a brand new feature which ripples through to some of the other options. Apparently in addition to having noises generated based on some event, you can now have little pop-up notification boxes as well. This is good for those who are hard of hearing, just plain annoying to me. Der bells und der vhistles und der blinkkenlampen...

"Allow for the volume reduction of IM sounds" is new and completely mystifies me. I see no place in the buddyList or chat window to vary the volume...
Oh. When in doubt, read the fiiiine manual... : "Select this option if you want the volume of incoming received sounds to be reduced after the initial IM and sound are received. Note: This only applies if the incoming sounds are .mp3 sound files."

Very different layout from the previous version of AIM. Again, that dropdown field.

Different layout from the previous version of AIM.

Some minor changes here, but I never use any of this stuff.

Some differences here too, but again, I never use the buddy icons.

Note that your Anti-Virus software may reside in a different location than shown in this example. However, if you have AV software and you exchange files, you should have the "Check files for virus after transfer" box checked.

Brand new item. I don't do webcasting, but I imagine it's not too hard to figure out. I don't think I'd want to try using it with a dialup connection, though.

This is not new, I simply neglected to include it in the 5.2.3292 page. For most users, they will never be using encryption (which requires a signed certificate). This feature is beyond the scope of this basic installation page.

Return to LAFN main page
Return to Mentors' page

This page created: March 8, 2004 0500 pst
jtm