Connecting to AOL via dialup in Venice, Italy

Question

I am trying to help a friend get online via AOL in Venice, Italy. They are using a new iBook, 10.4.3, latest version of AOL, via dialup.
Apparently, they hear a dial tone when AOL tries to connect, but then AOL reports no dial tone.
I know that the AOL installation works via dial-up here in the US, and believe the Venice numbers to be correct (they were entered while here in the US, but not tested).
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Ed

Answer 1

Hi Ed!
I don't know about Italy, but here in the US, this configuration works for me.
I'm also not sure about how the access numbers are found in Italy.
Make any adjustments you deem appropriate in these instructions.
No guarantees, but Good Luck!
*AOL/MODEM CONNECTION
The configuration works for me on my iMac G3, running 10.3.5.
If you have any questions, please ask them before preceeding.
First, be sure you know what version of Modem you are using, and write down the current Access Numbers, lest you have to enter them manually.
Sign off and Quit the AOL application.
Navigate to:
HD > USERS > YOUR HOME > LIBRARY > PREFERENCES
If present, move to Trash:
com.apple.internetpref.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconnect.plist (a file)
com.apple.internetconfig.plist (a file)
HD > USERS > SHARED > AMERICA ONLINE
If present, move to Trash:
Access Numbers (a file)
Disconnect Log (a file)
Session Diagnostics (a file)
HD > USERS > SHARED > AMERICA ONLINE > DATA
Move to Trash:
Home (file w/Globe icon)
Don't empty the Trash just yet.
Before you change the settings below, you might want to make notes, or take screen shots of your present configurations.
Then, open System Preferences > Network
Location: Select "Automatic"
Show: Select "Internal Modem"
On the PPP screen, click PPP Options. UNCHECK ALL options
On the TCP/IP screen, Configure using IPv4: Select "Using PPP"
On the Modem screen, Select your modem from the list. I'm using an iMac (Summer 2001), and I have "Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.90)" selected.
Check "Enable error correction and compression in modem"
"Wait for dial tone before dialing"
"Dialing": Tone
"Sound": On
"Show modem status in menubar"
Also select your Country.
Then, still in "Network" preferences,
Location: "Automatic"
Show: "Network Port Configurations"
Make sure "Internal Modem" is checked and at the top of the window.
Click "Apply Now" at the bottom of the screen.
Quit System Preferences.
Before you sign on, you will have to reset your "Access Numbers" & "Location".
Load the AOL application.
On the Sign-On screen, Click "Setup".
Next screen, select: "Create a Location with Setup Assistant.
Click OK.
Next screen, select: "Add numbers from the list of access phone numbers".
Click OK.
Enter your Area Code, and click Next.
Click on an appropriate number to highlight, and then click "Add".
On the next screen, do not select either of the two "Dial" options.
Click OK.
Add at least 2 numbers in the same manner, and then click "Done".
That will take you back to your Sign-On screen.
On the Sign-On screen, Click "Setup" again.
Select "Add or change a modem or other connection".
Click "Next".
Click "Yes", on the resulting screen.
You should then be able to Sign On to AOL.
If everything is hunky dory, you can empty the Trash.
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