Hi, I have a cable modem that is always on with AOL...but I cannot use Internet Explorer unless I sign on it, I want to how to use Internet Explorer to surf the web without signing on AOL.

What other ISP are you using besides AOL? If you do have another ISP, why are you using AOL? If AOL is your only ISP, of course you have to sign on use the Web. Stuart

AOL is the only ISP I am using, but why do I have to sign on to use the Web...aren't cable modems always on and automatically connected to the Internet?

Typically, cable modems are always connected and don't need an additional ISP, but DSL modems require an ISP. I'll bet that what is happening, is when you open up IE, it pops up a AOL signon screen and won't go to the internet without doing this. If that's the case, you need to figure out how to reconfigure IE so that it doesn't do that. I realize that all I've done is restate your question, but if you can verify if what I've said is true, that should help focus the question. The only two suggestions that I have are: 1-go thru the IE Connection Wizard- Tools->Internet Options->Connections->Setup 2-remove AOL from your system.

Perhaps this MSKB may help.. How to Configure Internet Explorer to Work with AOL as Your ISP i_XpUser

salchipapi, I've just poked around AOL and found this: Association Preferences Click "OK" below to select AOL as your preferred application for Web browsing, E-Mail, and newsgroups. We will also automatically sign on AOL to provide you with access to the Internet as needed. Note: Clicking "OK" will permanently set this preference. Once its set, that's it as far as I know. i_XpUser

Stuart - I have a question. What if we suggest to salchipapi to repair Internet Explorer using method 2 copied from theeldergeeks page: Method 2: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x Repair for Windows XP (Note: This method require that the Microsoft Windows XP CD-ROM be available.) 1. From the Start menu, select Search, select All Files and Folders. 2. Select More Advanced Options and place a checkmark beside Search Hidden Files and Folders option. 3. Ensure that Search System Folders and Search Subfolders are also checked. 4. In the All or Part of the File Name box, type ie.inf 5. In the Look In drop-down menu, select C: or the letter of the hard drive that contains the Windows folder. 6. Click the Search button. 7. In the search results pane, find the ie.inf file located in Windows\Inf folder. 8. Right click the ie.inf file and click Install on the context menu. 9. Reboot the computer when the file copy process is complete. I think the above method may work but what I am not sure about is will these cause problems with his ability to log on AOL? i_XpUser