AIM Freezing: "make AIM default messenger"

[Jon8RFC]

I've answered this question many times, so I figured we should make it a sticky.

The solution is to add the registry entry that disallows AIM to check if it is the default messenger, which I put in this registry file:
http://jon8rfc.homeip.net/aim/other/aim_default_fix.reg

If you like to do registry changes manually or are curious what is in aim_default_fix.reg, here it is:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\America Online\AOL Instant Messenger (TM)\CurrentVersion\Misc]
"CheckAimAsDefault"=dword:00000000

*NOTE*
Be cautious when you are instructed to download files that you aren't familiar with, or when the person supplying hasn't been established as trustworthy member around here. That's not to say that most people are untrustworthy, but there is a handful of persons that hop onto various forums trying to cause trouble.

If you're ever unsure about downloading a file, don't hesitate to PM or IM myself or any other BBB staff members with the badges for Administrator, Team Leader, Advisor, or Mentor. First, contact the staff members for the AIM forums--Dave, Someguy03, Tigerblade, Jon8RFC--and allow us a couple of days to respond incase we're busy with other things.

Please don't feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to ask for advice with very important security-related issues such as downloading files; we're here to help, and love doing it!


KEYWORDS: freeze; freezing; frozen; default messenger; reinstall; uninstall; locks up; checkbox; check box;
moderators: please edit and add keywords as you see fit!

[ahoier]

Definately be careful of downloading files off AIM...my sister got suckered into "going to some ringtone site" - I dont remember the site, but it was so obviously BOGUS (to me, a computer geek, ofcourse :P) - htt p://ringtones.info /ringtones.com or something ridiculous...(notice the trailing .com....that's not a website, but a COM file extension...)

Now, the newbie user would see, ooooh it's a DOT COM! Well, yea....but actually what happened was the AIM message linked to a .COM FILE - a script of sorts that got her computer a rootkit....never the less, she's learned her lesson now....hehe.