Help & FAQs
Other
- When I use AIM for several hours, why do all my buttons turn black? (Windows only)
- When I use the scroll wheel on my mouse, other users see me as "idle" in their Buddy Lists. (Macintosh only)
- How do I get the graphical smileys to appear? (Macintosh only)
- What should I do when one of my AIM windows always opens off the screen? (Windows only)
- Why do I get strange error messages when I try to install AIM?
- What should I do when AIM freezes when I try to access a menu item? (Macintosh only)
- Is there a keyboard shortcut to exit AIM completely? (Windows only)
- Why does AIM crash with Windows 98 when I'm using a dual-monitor machine? (Windows only)
- When I use the scroll wheel on my mouse, other users see me as "idle" in their Buddy Lists. (Macintosh only)
Q: When I use AIM
for several hours, why do all my buttons turn black?
(Windows only)
A: This is usually due to low random access memory (RAM)
in your computer. Close all applications and restart AIM. If
that doesn't restore your correct button colours, restart your
PC.
Q: When I use the
scroll wheel on my mouse, other users see me as "idle" in
their Buddy Lists. (Macintosh only)
A: The only workaround at this time is to disable the
Idle Time extension. You can use the Extensions Manager control
panel to do this. Note that this will prevent people from ever
seeing you as idle.
Q: How do I get
the graphical smileys to appear? (Macintosh only)
A: Select Preferences from the Edit menu, click General,
and then select Show Graphical Smileys.
Q: What should
I do when one of my AIM windows always opens off the
screen? (Windows only)
A: When the window opens off the screen, do the following:
-
1. Press Alt+Spacebar once to open the Control menu at the top-left of the
window.
2. Press the M key once to select Move.
3. Use your arrow keys to move the window into the middle of the screen. You see only the outline being moved.
4. When the outline is in the location you want, press Enter.
5. Download
Q: Why do I
get strange error messages when I try to install AIM?
A: Your copy of the AIM Installer probably was not transferred
completely when you downloaded it. Try downloading the AIM Installer
again
Q: What should
I do when AIM freezes when I try to access a menu item?
(Macintosh only)
A: Disable Adobe Type Reunion or add AOL Instant Messenger
(SM) to the Adobe Type Reunion list of compatibility applications
in Adobe Type Reunion Control Panel. If this does not fix your
problem, install the latest version of AIM.
Q: Is there a
keyboard shortcut to exit AIM completely? (Windows only)
A:Yes. When the Buddy List or Sign On window is the active
window, press Ctrl+Shift+F4. You can also choose Exit from the
AIM system tray menu.
Q: Why does AIM
crash with Windows 98 when I'm using a dual-monitor machine?
(Windows only)
A: Download the latest display drivers for both of your
video cards.
Q: When I use the
scroll wheel on my mouse, other users see me as "idle" in
their Buddy Lists. (Macintosh only).
A: The only workaround at this time is to disable the
Idle Time extension. You can use the Extensions Manager control
panel to do this. Note that this will prevent people from ever
seeing you as idle.