• What are the system requirements for AOL Plus DSL/Cable?
• What modem should I order when I get DSL?
• What modems does AOL DSL support?
• USB Modems and Windows 95
• What's a NIC?
• What modems does AOL DSL support?

The following are the minimum system requirements for AOL Plus DSL:

AMD/Cyrix/Pentium Class Processor (200 MHz or greater preferred)
Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 or XP
CD-ROM Drive
32MB System Memory (RAM)
32MB Available Hard Drive Space
VGA Graphics Adapter (Video Card)
VGA Monitor
Either an available USB Port or a free PCI Card Slot

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by redxii
last modified: 2002-07-10 22:54:43

Depending on what your needs is, you may order the following modems:

- Westell WireSpeed Ethernet Modem w/ kit
- ActionTec Electronics USB Modem

Get the Westell WireSpeed Ethernet Modem w/ kit if:
- You are an user experienced with installing hardware
- You don't want to hog your system resources
- Want a modem that is hassle-free
- You own Windows 95 and USB modems aren't supported
- Generally, you wan't a little more speed

Get the ActionTec Electronics USB Modem if:
- You want trouble free, hands away from opening the computer
- An inexperienced user who does not know how to install hardware
- You want a plug and play installation
- You are worried you need someone to install a DSL modem for you

AOL no longer supplies the above modems to new customers. AOL now supplies the new and improved Creative Broadband Blaster Modem (Broadxant). This new and improved modem includes the features of USB and Ethernet. It is similar to the Westell as far as Ethernet goes and ActionTec as far as USB goes.

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by thebombs12 edited by redxii
last modified: 2002-07-29 15:41:50

Currently, AOL provides support for the following modems:
Efficient Networks SpeedStream - Internal 3060 PCI DSL Modem
Efficient Networks - SpeedStream 4060 External USB DSL Modem
Actiontec Electronics - Actiontec External USB DSL Modem
Westell Technologies - Westell Ethernet Modem

Until recently, AOL no longer supply the following modems for new customers:
Efficient Networks - SpeedStream Internal 3060 PCI DSL Modem
Efficient Networks - SpeedStream 4060 External USB DSL Modem

AOL is taking Westell and Actiontec dsl modems out of inventory and are now shipping the new "Creative/Broadxent Broadband Blaster DSL" modems. This new modem includes a USB and an Ethernet interface for convenience.

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by Meteor Dive edited by redxii
last modified: 2002-07-10 22:55:50

If you are still one of those people using Windows 95 as your operating system (OS), you need to request a Ethernet Modem or internal modem from AOL when ordering. Windows 95 does not support USB, though a certain version (OSR v.2.1 or later) does but the majority don't have it.

Windows 3.1 users CANNOT use AOL DSL.

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by redxii
last modified: 2002-07-10 22:55:59

NIC is an acronym for Network Interface Card. Most commonly used as another name for an Ethernet network card or LAN adapter, it allows designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network over Ethernet.

You do not have to use the NIC AOL supplied you. You may use other brand of network cards. The one provided by AOL is sufficient to work in all network environments. If the network card is faulty through troubleshooting, simply replace the card.

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by redxii edited by Meteor Dive
last modified: 2008-04-04 11:28:49

Actiontec Electronics - Actiontec Hybird USB/Ethernet DSL Modem

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by Bolt Pride edited by Meteor Dive
last modified: 2003-06-22 15:17:32