AOL Instant Messenger v5.5.3598 setup and options for Windows

AOL Instant Messenger v5.5.3598

Installation, Setup and Options for Windows

This html page and its images may be downloaded as a zip file (977KB [1,000,362 bytes]) here: aim-5-5-3598.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.
At the "AOL Instant Messenger Install Components" window, uncheck "AIM Games Support" and uncheck "AIM Weatherbug" then click the "Next" button.
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 (notification area) 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 v5.5.3598".
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. Close this window. This is disabled in the "Sign On/Off" options window below ("Show AIM.com window at sign-on").
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. There are no differences between the v5.5.3598 and v5.5.3572 option settings.
When done, click "Apply" and "OK".

It is advisable to disable "Start AIM when Windows starts"; it's just an unnecessary resource hog.
This is where you turn off the AIM.com pop-up advertising portal when AIM starts.

This is a feature introduced in 5.5.3572 which ripples through to some of the other options. In addition to having sounds generated based on some event, you can also have little pop-up notification boxes as well.
This is good for those who are hard of hearing or whose computers don't reliably generate notification sounds.

If the graphical smileys annoy you when you type :), disable that here.

I prefer having a very light grey background; it reduces eyestrain.

I don't think this does anything unless you are an AOL member.

This is the directory I use to send files from. Much easier to get to than going through c:\Documents&Settings\blah blah blah.

This is the directory I use to receive files into. Again, much easier to get to than going through c:\Documents&Settings\blah blah blah.

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.

I don't think I'd want to try the video using a dialup connection.

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.

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This page created: August 22, 2004 0200 pdt
jtm