Help with America OnLine

Help with America OnLine, Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Web TV

America OnLine (AOL) is a very popular service and many of our customers use it. But unfortunately, some people experience problems connecting with AOL. These problems range from distorted graphics, to poor network response times and lost connections or problems with AOL software. America Online provides a browser within their software for connecting to the internet.

If you have trouble connecting to our site using AOL, much of the time the problems are AOL-related and you'll need to contact their support people at AOL to work it out. Call AOL Tech Support at 1-800-827-3338. From outside the US call 1-703-264-1184. This page has many Toll Free AOL Numbers.

However, here are a few tips that we hope will let you use our site without frustration:

Make sure to always use the latest AOL software. Our site will work the best with newer versions of AOL, minimally version 4.0. There are known problems with prior versions and some users even experience problems with the latest version. To find out what version you're using, open AOL, choose the Help menu at the top, and from there choose About AOL.
AOL mail software handles attachments differently at times. It converts some files into Mime files, which is what you are probably receiving, mine files are just AOL's way of converting files that are sent from non AOL sources. There are a few choices in software that allow you to open these files. Probably the easiest way for you to decode them is to install WinZip 7 (if you haven't already). The new version of WinZip treats them like a zip file and you can use it to extract/decode/view the files into whatever directory you want. WinZip can be found at any of the common shareware sites or at the winzip site itself: (http://www.winzip.com)
AOL has many users nationwide and at times traffic on their network can become congested. Remember this when you are accessing our site. Be patient -- allow time for AOL to get your data to your computer. If you are experiencing AOL Network problems you may find your answers here.
Sometimes users have good results using Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer after connecting to the internet with an AOL account. AOL can help you with instructions for doing this. Or check out the Netscape site for information on how to use Netscape with your AOL account.

If you are using AOL 3.0 you will need to upgrade to AOL 4.0 at least, preferably AOL 6 or AOL7 in which they have corrected problems with certain internet issues. If you are on 4.0 and you are experiencing problems, try upgrading to the latest version of AOL. If neither of these solutions work, contact AOL support.

To use our site you will need AOL 4.0 or AOL 5.0 earlier versions of these browsers can not support our site and you may receive:

A blank screen
An alert to enable JavaScript
Problems retrieving previous history
Problems with the shopping cart function

We recommend that you download an upgraded browser (Netscape 4.51 - 4.7 or higher Explorer 5.0 or higher).
AOL provides download instructions or you can go directly to the home page of either one. Once you have downloaded the browser you can use in conjunction with AOL.

Distorted Graphics
AOL 5.0 USERS! (For all other versions contact AOL support for exact instructions)

America Online has a feature that compresses graphics by default. This allows users to view pages faster... at the expense of seeing a high quality image.

The good news is: You can turn off this option, to see high quality photos of our products!

In your AOL browser, click on "My AOL" and pull down to Preferences.

Click on WWW.

In General Preferences, click the "Clear History" button.

Click "OK".

Select "Web Graphics" tab.

Uncheck "Use Compressed Graphics".

Hit "Okay".

Refresh.

You have a couple of other options as well. You may also open the site using Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer, even if you are logged on through AOL. Either of these might be installed with your operating system, otherwise, they may be downloaded for free from http://www.netscape.com/computing/download or http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.

Netscape Users:

The Following sources May Help You:

Netscape Help or Search Yahoo for "Netscape Help" topics

Printing Questions:

Netscape has a setting to help you print dark color pages. Go to the "FILE" menu, select "PAGE SET-UP" then click "BLACK TEXT". This will make all of your Netscape printed pages easier to see.

JavaScript Questions:

This Site uses Java and JavaScript and is formatted to work and look best with WINDOWS Internet Explorer 4X(or better), or MAC Internet Explorer 5X (or better) with the Java and JavaScript turned on. If you're using any WINDOWS version 3x -Look under menu OPTIONS, NETWORK, LANGUAGES and make sure you've turned on the Java and JavaScript options.

If you're using MAC or Windows Version 4x -Look under menu EDIT, PREFERENCES, ADVANCED, and make sure you've turned on the Java and JavaScript.

Speed Problems:

Cache: You can tell Netscape to cache or save pages to your hard drive and/or memory so you don't have to download them on every visit. For WINDOWS version 3x look under OPTIONS, NETWORK, CACHE and set your memory cache to 5000 and your disk cache to at least 5000 - also select the "Verify once per session" option.

If you're using MAC or Windows Version 4x -Look under menu EDIT, PREFERENCES, ADVANCED and do the same. If your Browser is older than WINDOWS release 2X or MAC release 3X it might be time to upgrade!

Internet Explorer Users:

The following sources might be helpful:

IE FAQ's Internet Explorer Help Desk at Microsoft

Internet Explorer handles graphics and formatting differently than Netscape. Although this Site works with both (4.0) Browsers, the formatting has been optimized for Internet Explorer 5.

JavaScript Questions:

This site uses Java and JavaScript and is formatted to work and look best with WINDOWS Internet Explorer 5X (or better), or MAC Internet Explorer 5X (or better) with the Java and JavaScript turned on.

Internet Explorer Version 3x does not fully support JavaScript and will not be able to use the JavaScript functions here. If you are still using ver. 3X, you will need to upgrade your browser software before enjoying this site to its fullest.

Web TV Users:

This site is compatible with Web TV with the following exceptions:

1.) There are formatting issues with text sizes.

2.) Some formatting or "lay-out" on pages using small fonts will look a bit jumbled.