Article KB-00230 - Correcting Windows hosts file for AIM Today functionality

Applies to: Retro AIM Server - General

Created by Serena (she/her) on Jan 28, 2025

Problem

In the AIM clients for Microsoft Windows, one or more of the following conditions are observed:

• AIM generates an Internet Explorer script error at startup, or when loading the AIM Today window
• Errors are observed in the white space beneath the text box where messages are typed in chat room windows
• Nothing appears in the white box at the right of the Buddy Icon tab in My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences...

Solution

This is typically due to the hosts file fix not being applied, or being applied correctly. See the heading appropriate to your operating system below.

Windows 95/98/Me

Follow these steps:

1. In Notepad, open or create the file C:\Windows\HOSTS (HOSTS.TXT and HOSTS.SAM are NOT the correct files!)
2. Add the following line to the bottom of the file WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING ELSE:

   208.45.186.197    aimtoday.aol.com dynamic.aol.com

3. Save the file
4. Exit AIM
5. Start AIM again

Windows NT/2000/XP/7/Vista/8/10/11

Follow these steps:

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
2. Open the hosts file in Notepad, or create it if it does not exist (HOSTS.TXT and HOSTS.SAM are NOT the correct files!)
3. Add the following line to the bottom of the file WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING ELSE:

   208.45.186.197    aimtoday.aol.com dynamic.aol.com

4. Save the file
5. Exit AIM
6. Start AIM again

If you're running Windows Vista or newer, you may need to open the file as administrator, as well as accepting the UAC (User Account Control) prompts.

Last modified Jan 28, 2025
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snw on Jan 28, 2025
snw on Jan 28, 2025
snw on Jan 28, 2025
snw on Jan 28, 2025