ITinfo: Windows Me Glitch Kills AOL Connections

AOL Users Get Knocked Offline

Windows Me scraps AOL connections

ITINFO Sponsor

Super-Fast E-Commerce Website Hosting

We're Not For Everyone
That's right, we're not right for everyone. We only serve the Internet marketing needs of business. We host commercial websites on fast, secure servers that exceed the demands of e-commerce business.

Your site will be live and available around the clock, 7 days a week.

Super-Fast E-Commerce Website Hosting

Internet Poll

Have you attended a seminar via e-learning?

	yes
	no
poll archive

Windows Me Glitch Kills AOL Connections

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

AOL's 23 million users are at risk of disconnecting themselves if they upgrade to Windows Me (WinMe) or purchase a new computer preinstalled with Microsoft's latest consumer operating system.

Microsoft officials acknowledge the problem and have released a patch that reportedly repairs the problem. However, Microsoft's not taking any steps to publicize the patch. Because AOL is such a large provider of dial-up service to consumers, I think Microsoft should be proactive in admitting its software bug and helping consumers, the least-technically able computer users, to easily install the fix.

The problem affects consumer-grade systems with Windows driver model modems. These winmodems are designed to work only with the Windows operating system (OS) and use the CPU and OS to control the computer's telephone connection.

WinMe/AOL users are reporting inconsistent connections, reduced transmission speed, and frequent connection drops.

Microsoft has posted a notice at the top of the WinMe support page; however, most consumers don't know this page exists, nor do they know how to access it.

Users can seek help at 425.635.3311, Microsoft's help line.

ITrain's running WinMe on a number of our systems, and we're not having any significant problems. I still recommend the OS for new computers and for technically-competent upgraders who are able to reliably backup an image of their systems before installing WinMe.

Are any of you having problems with WinME's dial-up service? Drop a note on our message center, and let me know.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments on the message center.

References

Windows Me Support Page
Message Center

Windows Me, An Easy Install
Windows Me Responsible for Data Loss on Fast Computers

Damar Group, Ltd. helps business use technology.

ITINFO is again accepting sponsors. Sponsor messages are included in ITINFO's email newsletter and are permanently posted to DGL's website and online reference areas.

ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.

Previous issues are on our website at http://dgl.com/itinfo/.