Configuring router for AOL - anything I need to know?

[Angilion]

I'm still using an old BT Voyager 105 ADSL modem from the dawn of broadband. It still works fine, but it tops out at 8Mbps (in practice, about 7.5) and my broadband package is up to 20Mbps. It's not a big deal so I haven't bothered doing anything about it, but I decided that I may as well get a bit more of the speed I'm paying for and bought a modem router on a whim because I saw it in passing. TP-Link TD-W8951ND.

The possible fly in the ointment is that my ISP is AOL.

They only provide tech support for the router they supply (which they wouldn't supply to me although they said they would) and only if you're using AOL's own software. All of their setup guides are about using AOL's software to configure a router. I don't use and don't want to use AOL's software. What kind of ISP has a proprietary browser? Madness. In any case, I am not insane and therefore I don't want to phone AOL tech support anyway, even if it was for something their the support covers.

I know that AOL, being AOL, have a carefree disregard for standards and a history of odd settings being required. So...is there anything odd that I need to know before installing and configuring the router? Any strange AOL-only settings?

 

[Sparx]

Nah, as long as you have your username/password you're good to go (as good as it can be with AOL)..

Personally, I didn't even know AOL was still in the world of UK broadband!!

 

[opethdisciple]

I'm still using an old BT Voyager 105 ADSL modem from the dawn of broadband. It still works fine, but it tops out at 8Mbps (in practice, about 7.5) and my broadband package is up to 20Mbps. It's not a big deal so I haven't bothered doing anything about it, but I decided that I may as well get a bit more of the speed I'm paying for and bought a modem router on a whim because I saw it in passing. TP-Link TD-W8951ND.

The possible fly in the ointment is that my ISP is AOL.

They only provide tech support for the router they supply (which they wouldn't supply to me although they said they would) and only if you're using AOL's own software. All of their setup guides are about using AOL's software to configure a router. I don't use and don't want to use AOL's software. What kind of ISP has a proprietary browser? Madness. In any case, I am not insane and therefore I don't want to phone AOL tech support anyway, even if it was for something their the support covers.

I know that AOL, being AOL, have a carefree disregard for standards and a history of odd settings being required. So...is there anything odd that I need to know before installing and configuring the router? Any strange AOL-only settings?

Back in the day I too was with AOL, but you dont have to use their browser. Your internet will work as normal.

I would also take the AOL router, it will be faster (newer tech) than what you plan to use, plus, how are you going to configure the router if you dont know the settings?

Your be on the phone to tech support after 5mins.