active update-aol core services - software update -Is this from AIM?

[jesbrakel]

Help--I found the file--'stic.dll' but I cannot delete it. I keep getting a message telling me that access is denied....how can that be? I have this pop up and would love to get rid of it but I need to keep aim for my daughters. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
jesbrakel

[dobalu]

is AIM closed when you try to delete it? you kind of need to close it twice, which is really annoying, and i forget to sometimes. Once you close the AIM program itself, and then you exit it again on the taskbar in the bottom-right corner (you might need to "Show Hidden Icons").

[Mom2Kate]

Thank you, dobalu, thank you! I found and deleted the "stic.dll" file two days ago, and the annoying popup has not reared its ugly head. And my Aim Triton is working just fine. Whew.

[dobalu]

i'm glad i could help, haha

[MelCrosswhite]

I am an AOL subscriber and I too have been receiving this pop-up. Like most of you, I am skeptical of it's legitimacy and have yet to click the install button. It popped up again as soon as I got online this morning, so I decided to contact AOL's live support. Here is a copy of my conversation with the tech, who says it is legit. I am still, however, skeptical about installing it and I'm not sure that I will based on what I've read posted in this forum. Any feedback will be appreciated!!!!~~~Mel

~~~~~~~~~Conversation With AOL Tech~~~~~~~~~
System Hello, MELCROSSWHITE. Welcome to AOL Security Live Help Support. My name is James.
AOLTechJMV Thank you very much for allowing me to assist you.
AOLTechJMV Melanie, I understand you are receiving an Active Update Pop-up online. Do I have it correct?

MELCROSSWHITE Yes. This is what it says: The following update is ready to install. AOL Core Services - Active Update: This update is necessary to enhance AOL's ability to resolve potential problems with your online experience. AOL applications will be automatically shut down.

AOLTechJMV Thank you very much for the clarification. I appreciate the time you've taken and this excellent opportunity to handle this for you. I am going to do my best to make sure you receive all the help you need.

MELCROSSWHITE I appreciate that.

AOLTechJMV Please allow me to explain to you what that popup is all about.

MELCROSSWHITE Thanks....please do.

AOLTechJMV The Active Update popup you are getting is Legit.
AOLTechJMV Active Update is a part of the Software Update and Delivery Service (SUDS) technology available for AOL 9.0 users. It allows you to download necessary updates to your AOL® applications to resolve and prevent issues and enhance your online experience.
AOLTechJMV When an update is available, a notice opens on your screen, telling you exactly what AOL application the update is for and what component will be updated. You will be notified of these changes, and AOL only makes changes to the actual application itself.
AOLTechJMV Please click the INSTALL NOW button on the window to download the update. Don’t turn off your computer or disconnecting the phone or modem while the updates are taking place. Doing so could result to an incomplete update.
AOLTechJMV This will not damage your computer in any way, but could keep you from enjoying the best and most up-to-date service AOL has to offer.

MELCROSSWHITE Why is it in pop-up form instead of being automatic like AOL updates have always been?

AOLTechJMV Ok please allow me to explain ...
AOLTechJMV If the update will be done automatically, it would possibly create a problem or conflict. That is why they just did it through popup.

[cyclekid]

I deleted stic.dll, and so far have not received the pop-up in the last 24 hours. Finally, what a relief. Thanks a lot.

[sellarsr]

I wanted to say thank you to dobalu too!! Found that dreaded stic.dll file and promptly deleted it! So far so good and maybe it's too soon to be excited but I am. lol

I had started with AOL live chat help. Below is the conversation. Not sure if I'm more insulted by them telling me I have to install it to get rid of the pop up or being called sir. Hmmmm, identity crisis on top of a pop up problem?

Thanks for the help I really appreciate!

AOLTechJAS Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet your needs today. Before we begin, may I have your first name please?
AOLTechJAS Oops! Please ignore that last response. It wasn't the correct one.
AOLTechJAS I understand you are receiving an Active Update Pop-up online. Do I have it correct?
Sellars R yep
Sellars R me and a whole lot of other people
AOLTechJAS Thank you for bringing this matter to us. I am glad I am the one who received your request as I am going to do my best to assist you today.
Sellars R no one is singing the praises of aol at the moment on this one. Major pain
AOLTechJAS Active Update is a part of the Software Update and Delivery Service (SUDS) technology available for AOL 9.0 users. It allows you to download necessary updates to your AOL® applications to resolve and prevent issues and enhance your online experience.
AOLTechJAS When an update is available, a notice opens on your screen, telling you exactly what AOL application the update is for and what component will be updated. You will be notified of these changes, and AOL only makes changes to the actual application itself.
Sellars R and if you don't want it how do you make it go away permanent?
AOLTechJAS Currently, the only way to remove the pop-up message is to INSTALL the update.
Sellars R wrong answer
Sellars R need a way to not have the pop up and not have the install
AOLTechJAS Please be assured that this will not damage your computer in any way, but could keep you from enjoying the best and most up-to-date service AOL has to offer.
Sellars R I choose what I update. NOT AOL
Sellars R I have read way too many blogs on this one and it is in fact causing problems. I choose not to have it.
AOLTechJAS I do apologize but there is no way to remove the update unless you have installed it.
Sellars R so how do I unsubscribe from whatever b.s. is coming along with aol for this kind of update?
AOLTechJAS I can understand and I respect your opinion.
Sellars R Well, it's a matter of no one aside from me the user determines what is downloaded on this machine.
AOLTechJAS Unfortunately, once an update is available for AOL members, it will be rolled out automatically to all.
Sellars R I've been with AOL for way too many years and know first hand that nothing aol does the first time works.
AOLTechJAS Once again, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Rest assured that I will be submitting your feedback to the appropriate department so they can look deeper into this.
Sellars R unfortunately, I again as the user get no feedback and no resolution.
AOLTechJAS Also I would include a copy of our conversation on my report. We use feedback like this to make improvements to the service. Thank you for your understanding and patience with this matter.
AOLTechJAS You can submit comments and suggestions at any time. AOL uses this feedback to improve the service. You can go to AOL® Keyword: MEMBER FEEDBACK
Sellars R Unfortunately again. I'm not understanding nor patient with this. It's a real annoyance and I don't need one of the kids ok-ing an install that I don't want because I can't block AOL sending something.
Sellars R So basically you're telling me the only way to get rid of this pop up is to stop subscribing to AOL? Is that correct?
Sellars R and the other question . . . . now long will this keep popping up?
AOLTechJAS The pop-up will stay there unless you choose to install it Robin.
Sellars R so unsubscribing is the answer?
AOLTechJAS That's your choice Sir.
Sellars R I understand that. I was asking if that was the only choice. I always have a right to turn AOL off, that I know for certain. I was making an attempt at choices available.
AOLTechJAS I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience but currently you can just install the update to make the pop-up go away.

We value your membership with the AOL® community, and we do not want this to be your choice.

Sellars R Well, I'll go post our conversation on the blogs and save some other people some time.

AOLTechJAS Is there anything else I can assist you with at this time?

Sellars R still working on this one.

AOLTechJAS I hope I have provided you with all the necessary information that addresses your concerns. Have an excellent day.

System AOLTechJAS has left this session!

System The session has ended!

[xoovermindox]

Thank you dobalu.

I am posting as another user confirming the deletion of stic.dll has worked for
me. My particular directory was C:\Program Files\Common Files\aol\1180617646\ee\services\softwareUpdate\ve r2_14_9_3\ ... in which the
file was found and then deleted.

Some of the subdirectories within (particularly the numbered ones) are
likely to be different, based on your version of AOL.

Myself, I chose not to install this update initially NOT because I was aware of
all the problems it would cause, but because the memory involved in running
AOLTopSpeed/AOLConnectivityService/AOLSpywareZapper and all the others,
frequently slowed my system and I found myself exiting a great many
applications after I logged out of AOL, just to play a game properly.

Even though I've recently rebuilt a GOOD system (X2 5600 Dual Core+2Gigs DDR2) I still don't want the rape of resources. I don't want the extra crap.
AOL WAS running fine, and that's the point. If there's an error, I'd be much
happier to restart AOL then download a more-than-complete software update, because really that's all that happens.

NOT TO MENTION: While getting this pop up message, 1. AIM sometimes
performs an illlegal operation and has to shut down. 2. I'm getting an occasional polling questionnaire pop-up from AOL.

[concerned]

I too was getting that AOL popup about a core update. I contacted AOL about it and was told that it was in fact legit and to go ahead and install it. I had put off for about 2 weeks paranoid that it was spam or even a virus. I did the virus and spam check and everything came up clean with it. So I did finally install it and thankfully my pc is working fine. I haven't had even any minor or major things happen. Nothing has stopped working or acting weird. So my suggestion would be to chat with a consultant from AOL before installing it if it happens again. I was lucky this time.

[Sailbad]

Look, someone at AOL made a policy decision to push this stuff out in such an ignorant way, you are here answering for it. Get a clue. The Internet is becoming the world's fastest growing democracy in history with a significant advantage for its citizens; if they revolt, you cant censor them.

Pushing an upgrade this way is the definition of stupidity. The fact that no one cares is exemplary of the fact that you are holding a gun to your own head and asking we, your consumers, to act like idiots or you will pull the trigger.

As a twenty five year customer of AOL, my reply: go right ahead~