Download Getting Started Buddy Lists Messages Profiles Personal Preferences		To Connect Through a Modem If you want to connect to the AOL Instant Messenger™ service through a modem, you need to dial in to your Internet Service Provider first. Once you are connected to the Internet, you can then sign on to the service. Before you can use the AOL Instant Messenger™, you can run the automatic configuration program to find a host and port through which you can connect. You must have a live connection to the Internet to complete this procedure: 1. Click the Setup button on the Sign On screen. 2. Click the Connection tab. 3. Click the Auto Configure button. The Automatic Configuration program will attempt to find a host and port through which you can sign on to the AOL Instant Messenger service. Note: If you want to preserve your Internet connection while you are signed on to the AOL Instant Messenger service, select the Keep connection alive check box on the Connection tab. (Some Internet Service Providers automatically disconnect you if you have been inactive for a given period.) Every five minutes the program sends a signal to keep your connection alive, even though you may be idle. Automatically Connecting and Signing On To make your connection to the AOL Instant Messenger™ service as quick and easy as possible, you can configure the program to start when Windows starts and then automatically sign on when you connect to the Internet through your Internet Service Provider. 1. Enter your screen name and password on the Sign On screen. 2. Click the Setup button, and then the Misc tab. 3. Select the Save Password check box. 4. Select the Automatically sign on when AIM starts check box. 5. Select the Start AIM when Windows starts check box. 6. Select the Modem option under Internet Connection. To Connect Through a Local Area Network If you want to connect to the AOL Instant Messenger service through a local area network (LAN) at work or school, for example, you need to have a live connection to the Internet before you attempt to sign on to the service. Resolving Connection Problems If you experience problems connecting, you can run the automatic configuration program to find a host and port through which you can connect. You must have a live connection to the Internet to complete this procedure. If your local area network is behind a firewall, you will need to use a proxy server to connect to the service. Contact your network administrator to help you determine the configuration settings to enter. 1. Click the Setup button on the Sign On screen. 2. Click the Connection tab. 3. Enter the settings your network administrator supplies. 4. Click OK to save the settings and close the dialog. Note: If you want to preserve your Internet connection while you are signed on to the AOL Instant Messenger™ service, select the Keep connection alive check box on the Connection tab. (Some Internet Service Providers automatically disconnect you if you have been inactive for a given period.) Every five minutes the program sends a signal to keep your connection alive, even though you may be idle. Automatically Connecting and Signing On To make your connection to the AOL Instant Messenger™ service as quick and easy as possible, you can configure the program to start when Windows starts and then automatically sign on when you connect to the Internet through your Internet Service Provider. 1. Enter your screen name and password on the Sign On screen. 2. Click the Setup button, and then the Misc tab. 3. Select the Save Password check box. 4. Select the Automatically sign on when AIM starts check box. 5. Select the Start AIM when Windows starts check box. 6. Select the Modem option under Internet Connection.