How to Use a Laptop on AOL Dial-Up

Get your laptop online with a cheap AOL dial-up plan.

AOL offers several dial-up access plans that appeal to budget-conscious Internet users who want a method of online access that's cheaper than broadband. AOL's large size allows it to beat the prices of many other dial-up service providers and offer access numbers in thousands of cities across North America. The company's dial-up service is accessible via all desktop and laptop computers.

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AOL dial-up plan
Laptop with phone port
56K modem
Phone cord

Instructions

- 1
  
  Choose and purchase an AOL dial-up access plan. AOL's dial-up plans range in price from $9.99 to $25.90, as of March 2010. The more expensive plans include extra features like security software and hardware insurance for your laptop.
- 2
  
  Install either the AOL Desktop software or AOL's client software. The latest version of its client software was 9.5, as of March 2010. The software can be installed using the free AOL discs available at many retail stores or directly mailed to your home, or by downloading the free software from AOL's website.
- 3
  
  Connect your laptop to your 56K dial-up modem using a standard phone cord with one end plugged into the modem and the other into your laptop's phone port.
- 4
  
  Launch the AOL software. You'll be greeted with a sign-in page. Enter the username and password you setup when you purchased the dial-up service in Step 1, and press "Sign In."
- 5
  
  Wait for the laptop to connect to AOL's Internet service. The AOL Desktop or AOL client software will dial an access number through your 56K modem. This process may take several minutes, after which you'll be shown a welcome screen and can begin surfing the web.

Tips & Warnings

Dial-up access numbers vary according to your place of residence. AOL's software automatically finds a local access number based on the address you entered when you purchased the Internet plan.
Some laptops no longer include ports for standard phone lines like the ones used to connect to a dial-up modem. Various plug-in adapters let users convert a basic USB port into a dial-up port. Contact your laptop manufacturer for more information and to find what adapters are supported by the manufacturer.

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Photo Credit laptop image by Jorge Figueiredo from Fotolia.com

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How to Use a Laptop on AOL Dial-Up

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