AOL Search Tips
Read these 12 AOL Search Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about AOL tips and hundreds of other topics.
Using The "Keyword" Option On Your AOL Toolbar
If for some reason you are having trouble accessing or finding an AOL link to another part of AOL, you will be pleased to know that you can get to almost anything on AOL using the "Keyword" option on your AOL toolbar. Simply select this option and then select "Go To Keyword". Once you have done that, a box should pop up in which you will type in the keyword you want and then select "OK". Even if you do not know the actual keyword, most of them are pretty simple. For example, if you need to set up or edit your parental controls, your keyword would be "Parental Controls". If you need to view your bill, your keyword would be "Billing". These can make accessing areas of AOL easier than trying to hunt down a link.
AOL Search Features
When using AOL search you may find yourself not knowing where to start. AOL Search offers category browsing where you can look at subject areas to see where to start, just as a library has books organized by subjects for browsing. From the AOL Search main page, click on the Website Directory link.
Using Booleans on AOL Search
AOL Search supports the use of Boolean search operators. OR finds documents containing either of the words or expressions it separates. Example: pie OR cobbler. A minus sign ( - ) excludes the word following, i.e., board games -checkers will find all board games except checkers. Double quotes (") around a phrase will find that exact phrase, as in "winter of our discontent".
AOL Search Features
Hot Searches are a feature of AOL search that let you find the search topics gaining popularity on AOL in real time. You can browse a range of topics or you can select topics from a single channel such as parenting or music. Hot searches are updated every 12 seconds.
Finding Images with AOL Search
AOL Image Search contains safeguards against inappropriate content. During a search AOL Search defaults to using a mature content filter. The filter removes many adult images but it can't guarantee that all such content will be filtered out. Choose your search terms with care.
Find it with AOL Search
The advanced search features on the AOL Search engine let you search for information based on the file type, language, and timeliness in addition to searching by words and phrases. You can also exclude certain words from your search to help confine your search.
Solutions To Slow Browsing On AOL
There are three solutions that one may try if they are experiencing slow Internet browsing through their AOL connection.
First, you can try AOL Auto Fix. To do this go to keyword "Fix It", select "Problems with the AOL Web Browser", then follow the instructions when prompted to delete temporary Internet files, rebuild AOL Adapter, and repair Internet Explorer.
Second, you may want to try closing any programs you have open or restarting your computer. To simply restart your computer select your "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" keys all at once. When a box pops up, press all three keys again. To close all other programs, select your "Ctrl", "Alt", and "Delete" keys all at once. When a box pops up, select the "End Task" button until all programs in the box are gone except for AOL.
Third, you can try to re-detect your connection. To do this, log off (if currently on the internet)and go to your AOL sign on screen. Once there, select the "Sign On Options" button, select "Expert Setup", select you location, select "Delete", and then select "OK". Repeat this until all of your locations are deleted. Close the options box, at which time you should be back at the sign on screen. Press "Sign On" to enable yourself to re-select your locations.
Downloading AOL Computer Check-Up
If your computer is running slow and you are an AOL member, you can download AOL Computer Check-Up to help you solve the problem. To do this select "Keyword" from your AOL toolbar options and then select "Go to AOL Keyword". A box will appear on your screen, at which time you will type in "Checkup" and select the "OK" button. Once you are taken to the website, select "Download Computer Check-Up" and then select "Open". Once the instillation is complete, you can launch AOL computer check-up to help resolve your issue.
Clear Your AOL Search History
To clear your search history simply select the green box with the down arrow on the AOL toolbar (inbetween the search window and the green "Go" button) and then select "Clear My Search History".
Finding Images with AOL Search
The images identified by the AOL Search for Images service may be protected by copyrights. Although you can locate and access the images through an AOL desktop search, AOL cannot grant the rights to use them for any purpose other than viewing them on the web. If you would like to use any images you have found through our service, contact the site owner to obtain the necessary permissions.
Find it with AOL Search
AOL Search can carry out searches exclusively for images. With AOL image search you can find millions of photos and pictures fast. Featured searches--popular searches available through a special link--are also available for AOL image search.
What To Do If You Have Missing Icons On Your AOL Toolbar
To restore missing icons on your AOL toolbar, there are two options that you can try.
First, clear your AOL artwork database. To do this, select the "Settings" option from your AOL toolbar, select "Index", select "Personal Storage Settings" (from the "P" category), and then set the "Maximum disk space to use for online art" to the lowest level possible using the available arrows. Save your changes, sign off of AOL, and then sign on again. Once signed on again, select the "Settings" option from your AOL toolbar, select "Index", select "Personal Storage Settings" (from the "P" category), then set the "Maximum disk space to use for online art" to the original setting (up to 60 MB) using the available arrows, and then save your new settings.
Second, you can try deleting the "TOOLBAR.IND" file. To do this, close your AOL software and go to your "Start" button. Select your search option and type "TOOLBAR.IND" in your "Search for Files and Folders" box. Select the "Search Now" button. When you locate the "TOOLBAR.IND" file, delete it and send it to your recycle bin.
