Accessing AOL via Total Net NH

Many families have an AOL account, which is actively being used by several family members. You keep hearing that you should get a "true" Internet connection, but you don't want to give up your AOL account. This page describes how you can access your existing AOL accounts through Total Net NH.

To use Total Net NH to access your AOL account:

1. Connect to Total Net NH via our icon on your desk top.
2. You are now directly connected to the Internet, and are free to use Internet Explorer, Netscape, or your AOL software.
3. While still connected to us, launch AOL's software.
4. Open the AOL Sign On screen and click on the Setup button.
5. When the America Online Setup screen appears, click on the third option on the list, "Add Location".
6. When the Add Location screen appears, click on "Add a custom connection (for example, TCP/IP)" and then click on the Next button. .
7. The America Online dialog box will appear stating you have successfully set up your account to use an ISP. Click on the OK button.
8. From now on when you want to go online, connect Total Net NH first and then launch AOL if you want to access an account you have there.

To change your AOL billing plan to the reduced rate of $14.95, do this:

1. Sign on to AOL
2. Go to AOL Keyword: Billing
3. Select Change My Price Plan.
4. Select "Bring Your Own Access Plan" from the options and click Switch to this Plan.

Here are some useful links to information on the AOL website: AOL Help Page and AOL Bring Your Own Access (BYOA) Plan

Advantages of a true Internet Connection to access AOL

• Your connection to AOL uses an AOL-proprietary protocol, which may not support all types of Internet applications, such as Internet Telephony.
• A true Internet Connection on the other hand uses TCP-IP which is the standard communications protocol used by virtually all forms of Internet applications (web browser, internet telephony, telnet, FTP, email, etc)
• You can only use software and features supported by AOL.
• With a true Internet Connection you are free to use any kind of Internet software you want such as Netscape, Internet Explorer and many other applications
• Historically there have been repeated "performance issues" with AOL's network. This is caused by "too many" users trying to share too few telephone lines, etc. AOL has been the subject of repeated lawsuits as a result of this.
• When accessing Internet sites, they may download faster via a true internet connection (versus AOL)

Note: This information is provided for "information only".   If you have additional questions, you need to contact AOL's Technical Support.