AOL mail frustration

tehidyman · Mar 14, 2011, 12:14:19

I use Thunderbird for Idnet messages and AOL (freemail) for nearly all the rest. When I click on a contact us button on some web-sites an email proforma appears with some content inserted but in Thunderbird. I fixed it so I can choose the email address I wish to use but if I use my @aol address the Idnet server will not send it. The help pages on AOL mail give instructions that include steps that do not appear on my version of Windows. In control panel>Internet options> email--AOL mail is not listed and cannot be inserted. Googling etc. I cannot find a way to do this. All I can do is to cut and paste from the proforma email to one composed under AOL mail. I want to click on a contact us button and be in AOL mail. Is this possible? I can work round this problem with some cut and paste steps but I would like to solve this.

Relevant facts. ISP Idnet, Windows XP, Browser Firefox

Glenn · Mar 14, 2011, 12:31:09

Any use? http://www.the-scream.co.uk/forums/t23177.html

pctech · Mar 14, 2011, 13:16:03

Unfortunately the AOL domains have long been abused by spammers.

Its not clear from AOL's own help whether you can use their SMTP servers for free mail, if you want a webmail screen to pop up when you click on a link rather than opening Thunderbird you will need to install a piece of software that AOL may or may not provide that allows you to select webmail as a client.

tehidyman · Mar 14, 2011, 13:54:50

Thanks for that suggestion Glenn. Have tried the route they hinted at but no joy. It does seem that if I use the Idnet SMTP to send with AOL as my sender address it will not go. I can understand why, and that was why I was trying the other route but nothing in the scream thread throws any light.

pctech · Mar 14, 2011, 14:06:22

Contact AOL to see if they can provide the software required.

tehidyman · Mar 14, 2011, 15:03:07

Quote from: pctech on Mar 14, 2011, 14:06:22
Contact AOL to see if they can provide the software required.

Thanks for that, Having been with AOL as an ISP for about 7 years I am not over optimistic but if I don't ask I may be surprised. Will post any outcome.

tehidyman · Mar 14, 2011, 17:12:11

I came across this.....

How do I make AOL Webmail my default email application?

This tip is for advanced Windows users.

Do not edit your registry if you are not comfortable with such things.

To make AOL Webmail your default email application edit the registry key :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail\AOL Webmail\Protocols\mailto

This is the value to make AOL Webmail your default email application:

http://webmail.aol.com/Mail/ComposeMessage.aspx?to=^T&subject=^S&body=^M&cc=^C &bcc=^B

I do not consider myself an advanced user but I am capable of following clear instructions. Having created a restore point I can then get into regedit and find the key entry as far as clients\mail but not sure of how to execute the next steps. Any help would be appreciated.

pctech · Mar 14, 2011, 17:23:23

Stand by, coming right up.

pctech · Mar 14, 2011, 17:36:12

Never used AOL mail so don't have this key but bear with me
Follow the navigation on the left down to the branch indicated (if no mailto key exists under AOL mail go to Edit > New > Key and call it mailto)

On the left you will see a default value, double click on it and paste in the URL and then click OK

Give it a whirl.

If it does not work PM me a link to the page you were looking at so I can have a read, I may not reply immediately as I'm a little busy today but if not today I will def reply tomorrow)

tehidyman · Mar 15, 2011, 11:55:42

Found this that works. http://gmaildefault.codeplex.com/. It fixes Yahoo and AOL webmail as well as Gmail. Does not appear to make it default in Windows but click on the contact us link and the required proforma comes up.
Thanks to all for posted advice

Rik · Mar 15, 2011, 12:21:28

Thanks for letting us know.