Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

IE 9 and AOL ver 9.6 Compatibility

May 13, 2011 1:47PM PDT

I use AOL mostly for Email, and IE8 is my default browser. Before installing IE 9, I would like to hear from someone who has had good luck using AOL 9.6 revision 4340-130 (my version) or AOL 9.6 revison 4340-168 (latest version). I have conflicting information as of May 02, 2011 that AOL's 9.6 version is compatible with IE9 and is a"different kind of beta" whatever that means.....but I cannot find to which 9.6 revision the beta info refers.

I need this information because I would rather not install a beta version even if it is a "different kind".

My thanks.
Miki
Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1 IE8

Discussion is locked

michhala has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Not sure I understand
May 14, 2011 11:59PM PDT

Tell us more Miki.

I have often heard and read about AOL, but never used them. My understanding is that AOL uses it's own interface between the user and the internet. In effect a web browser, (and it may or may not be based on IE. In the past I believe they used the Netscape browser).

But with all of these all-encompassing community web sites and ISPs, their browser is just software and doesn't have to be used all the time. The user can switch to any other browser when they wish.

For example, my first PC I had Compuserve installed. It was a community web site and for some weeks I thought that this is what the internet was. I soon learned that I didn't have to use Compuserve's own GUI, and that is when I discovered the Netscape browser, allowing me to surf anywhere I wanted.

So, my question. What does IE9 have to do with AOL? Why do you think that any version of AOL would compromise IE? it shouldn't, because the OS will see them as two different applications, and you should be able to use both,or either, as and when you need.

I did find this at AOL's web site;

May 2 - Beta version of GM release is now available.

As promised last week, a beta-specific version of the GM release is now available for download and use by those of you who wish to continue on the journey of getting the latest updates to test in advance of general release
.

To be perfectly clear, this is not an actual beta, but a parallel release of the current GM (4340.16Cool that has been designated for use by beta testers. We've set this version aside for you so we can make sure to include you in future beta releases. If you are not interested in beta testing, please go to Discover AOL and get the AOL Desktop 9.6 GM (public release) version

Note my underlining.

So it seems this AOL 9.6 revison 4340-168 is not a true Beta, but a way of allowing those who wish to beta test to get on the list. Not sure I completely understand that.

All I can say is that I don't Beta test. I could do because I have a spare machine that I could use, and if it gets trashed I can take my time to sort it out, but I don't recommend it for those who don't have additional system they can afford to tinker about on.

Mark

- Collapse -
Hi Mark
May 15, 2011 9:24AM PDT

In my OP, I mentioned the May 02, 2011 release that you posted. This is where it is written that AOL version 9.6 4340-168 is a "different kind of Beta" and I wrote I was not keen on Beta of any kind.

The reason I think AOL may not be compatible with IE9 is because both AOL and Microsoft think they are not compatible. If you do a search on IE9 and AOL compatibility, you will find this.

I have been using AOL for many years. My AOL has always used the IE browser and as I mentioned, it is my default browser. I think there was at one time, and still may be, an AOL customized browser but I never had it. Been using AOL for 13 years and always had one browser which was Internet Explorer. As I mentioned, I use AOL mostly for Email. I might go on a website while I am there for convenience, but I usual do everything directly on IE except for mail.

Appreciate your reply.....miki

- Collapse -
Addendum, Mark....
May 15, 2011 9:38AM PDT

Think of it this way.......using AOL for my email is not much different than using any other Email provider, except I have the option to browse the Internet or use the AOL desktop if I so desire. That said, I use my Windows Desktop exactly as you do, and rarely use the AOL desktop. However, if I do use the AOL desktop, it uses IE.

Hope I have been able to give you some clarification.....
Miki
Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1 IE8.

- Collapse -
Hmm, interesting.
May 15, 2011 8:34PM PDT

I see what you mean from your very good description.

I did a Google search for AOL + IE9 and although I found a couple of compatibility complaints, I didn't see many. But I have listed a couple I found;

http://forums.asp.net/t/1674580.aspx/1?CSS+Not+Working+for+Users+With+AOL+COM - appears to be about a problem with custom CSS files with AOL and IE9

http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?p=2770510 - seems to be talking about problems with AOL Radio.

There may be others that I missed, but I didn't see a flood of complaints.

I'm guessing here, and I know this isn't what you wanted from this discussion. You asked for opinions from anyone who had their own experiences with AOL and IE9. So, my apologies for intruding.

But my guessing... We did see a number of web sites that struggled, with both IE9 and FF4 when they were first released. They were released within a week or two of each other. This often happens of course as each new browser release improves compliance with WW3C HTML coding, and that breaks poorly coded web sites. In addition, IE9 broke away from Microsoft's tradition of using it's own proprietary coding, (ActiveX and such), and that in itself broke a number of web sites.

I suspect that AOL used much of this coding and that is why some users experienced problems. However sites such as AOL, still a big player on the internet, would see the need to change its web sites to conform to the new standards, or risk being left behind.

So I am betting that AOL has quickly fixed any problems its users were experiencing.

IE9 does have a "Compatibility View" feature which may help if these problems have still not been fixed.

Also, uninstalling IE9 is still possible, and you can revert back to IE8. Control Panel > Programs and Features > "View installed updates", search for the "Windows Internet Explorer 9" entry, right click and select Uninstall.

Does that help?

Mark

- Collapse -
I appreciate you and your research, Mark....
May 16, 2011 6:25PM PDT

....but I am very cautious and prefer to not download IE9 before I find some positive feedback re AOL and IE9 compatibility....so far I have found a lot of only negative feedback.

I have AOL's next to latest version, 9.6 rev. 4340.130. There were many problems with it that even a Senior AOL tech in Rumania could not fix Happy.....I, however, lowered my expectations and adjusted to it. The latest update is 9.6 4340-168 -- this is the latest version and according to AOL, it is compatible with IE9. However, AOL has a parallel version to the 4340-168, which they also suggest installing.....this is the one they say is a "different kind of beta".....I do not do beta in any form. The many compatibility complaints from AOL members I have found, as well as AOL's own info, list only 9.6 as their version and exclude the revision number.

Info I am seeking:
1. Is my 9.6 4348-130 version compatible with IE9?

2. Positive feedback from an AOL user with 9.6 version, who lists their revision number.

3. Negative feedback from an AOL user with 9.6 version, who lists their revision number.

My thanks.....Miki
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1 IE8

- Collapse -
Mark -- Getting back to our discussion
Jun 19, 2011 6:55AM PDT

Hi Mark,
I want to correct some information I gave you about AOL in this thread.....I was told in 1998 by AOL techs that AOL used the IE browser. Thirteen years later, I find that AOL does not use the IE browser; it uses the IE engine.
Also, want to let you know AOL automatically updated me to a version compatible with IE9 so all is well.
Miki

- Collapse -
Mark -- Addendum from Wikipedia
Jun 19, 2011 9:02AM PDT

'In 2003, AOL signed a seven-year contract with Microsoft to use Internet Explorer layout engine in their products and as such AOL Explorer uses this engine. Because of this, users can use AOL Explorer to download and install updates from Microsoft Update."

Best Answer

- Collapse -
AOL and IE9
Aug 12, 2011 3:52AM PDT

I upgraded to IE9 with AOL 9.6 and now all my emails -- both outbound and inbound -- have a medium gray background in the message area which makes reading the text a little more difficult. I may go back to IE8 if any other problems arise. AOL tells me they are not compatible but that they're "working on it."

- Collapse -
Thank you for your reply
Aug 12, 2011 6:57PM PDT

I finally found enough verification that IE9 was compatible with my AOL 9.6 rev 4340.130 to give me the courage to install the IE9. That said, I still have the same problem I had with IE8 when I went to a new Windows 7 computer -- no AOL sounds then (You've got mail, Goodbye, Buddy sounds, etc) and none now. One of these days, I will go to 9.6 rev168.....just too lazy and can get by without the AOL sounds, since all other sounds such as music, videos work. Except for all that, everything else is O.K. and no problems with the background.

Miki