Ok here's the problem, my cousin uses AOL 9 as his main web browser (that's not the problem), but it has recently begun to operate really slowly compared to internet explorer for loading web pages. I was just wanting to know if there are any settings in AOL9 which can affect this if not then I know I need to check his firewall and a/v settings.

When you say "uses AOL 9 as his main web browser, do you mean AOL is also your cousin's ISP? i_Xp/VistaUser

"that's not the problem" Sure it is.

Don't remember he just prefers to use AOL9 web browser as he still uses the email account and things. When he has logged into AOL, IE still works fine as well.

I gather from your statement When he has logged into AOL, IE still works fine as well that AOL is his ISP. In other words your cousin cannot launch IE unless he first launch & log into AOL. You also stated AOL that's not the problem I have to tell you this - that AOL - once the crown jewel of Internet in its early days of dialup before broadband went mainstream, and then the fallen star of Time-Warner conglomerate - is slowly being dismantled into oblivion. It is a matter of time that AOL will suffer the same fate suffered by the Netscape browser. i_Xp/VistaUser

I said I don't know whether AOL is his ISP. I also said IE works fine before, during and after he has tried using AOL, can't explain it any more clearly. Yes I know AOL is s--- but if the browser worked fine and as fast as IE a few days ago what could have changed in AOL that has done it. If there isn't anything then I will then know to look at his firewall settings and stuff.