The AOL Winsock.dll allows you to run external Internet applications while connected to America Online. Use of this file is not needed for internet functions integrated into your AOL software such as Newsgroups, the AOL Web Browser, FTP and Gopher.
ADVISORY: Many Winsock-based applications are not as user-friendly as the America Online interface. You will need a certain minimum of computer knowledge to successfully use them. If you are not comfortable with moving and renaming files, editing configurations and the Windows File Manager, please take some time to become comfortable with these prior to attempting to install and run Winsock applications.
MODEMS ONLY: You must be connecting to America Online through a standard dial-up modem. If you are accessing through a network, please contact your system administrator prior to installing this program. Failure to do so may have serious effects on your ability to access your network.
First, determine that you are running Windows America Online version 2.5. You can verify this by selecting the Help menu and choosing 'About America Online'.
Use the Windows File Manager to locate any files named winsock.dll on your system. If you find any of these files stop here and consult the message areas at Keyword: WINSOCK for hints on managing multiple winsocks. Proceeding with the installation could negatively effect existing Internet applications. If the only one is located in c:\windows, and you are using WIndows 95, you may proceed, paying attention to the Win95 specific instructions.
Download the AOL Winsock.dll.
Copy this file to your Windows directory. (This will usually be your c:\windows.)
WIN95 NOTE: Prior to copying this file to c:\windows make sure to back up the existing winsock.dll to a floppy disk. Once you have copied the new one into c:\windows set the attribute of the file to READ-ONLY.
Exit Windows and restart your computer.
WIN95 NOTE: You may get an error message indicating your winsock.dll is out of date. You may safely ignore this message.
Restart Windows and connect to AOL.
Launch your other Internet Application (such as telnet, gopher, etc.) and use it. (This application must have been previously installed.
YOU MUST BE CONNECTED TO AMERICA ONLINE WITH A MODEM DIALUP AND NOT IN A FREE AREA TO START INTERNET APPLICATIONS.
This file has been checked for viruses with the latest version of McAfee's SCAN.
