Why is AOL so difficult to get working?

[Rabs]

It sounds like your modem is in sync at 6.5Mb but not connected to AOL. Unless somethings changed in the last month, you'll need a Network ID and Network Password (other ISP's call it the ADSL Username/Password).

You should be able to log into the router, enter these details and connect to the network.

FYI Since Carphone Warehouse bought AOL UK, they have moved the vast majority of AOL customers over to their own network which is much cheaper for them to run. 'Generally' if your on this network (check speedtest.net and do a speedtest, your ISP will be in the result) then the speeds/latency tend to be fine.

[peterb]

I think that AOL's network uses a non standard MTU - try setting it to 1400 for better results/.

[Jay]

peterb is right AOL use an MTU of 1438 but 1400 should do it.

why they do they use that MTU? Because their network is incorrectly configured in my opinion.

[Sputnik]

It sounds like your modem is in sync at 6.5Mb but not connected to AOL.

That is what I thought but, According to AOL they claimed it was a telephone line fault. If you had a line fault would the modem still be showing 6.5Mb down and .5Mb up ?

[Rabs]

Yes you can have a line fault and still be in sync so to speak. If your logins are correct, you could have something called a RAS mapping issue which only your ISP can sort (via BT Openreach usually).

[peterb]

It depends what AoL mean by 'telephone line fault' - if you are getting sync then the physical line is fine - the RAS mapping fault (I think RAS is Radius Authentication Server) is the bit that authenticates you, your line and phone number to the network you are connecting to - in this case AoL and if there is a problem in the set up there, that can prevent you from logging in.

[Rabs]

Without going too technical, if your on an IPStream or ADSL-Max connection you have BT's RAS to go through before hitting your ISP's RAS.

A RAS mapping fault (in the above case) usually happens when you change ISP and BT dont update their systems fast enough....