AOL has offered a fix as follows (recieved from a manager at AOL Tech Support):

1. Have the customer dial up AOL using the 1-800-#.
2. Once logged on to the main screen in keyword type "Step 5".
3. A file will be presented to them. They must download that file and save it to disk.
4. The customer must run the file and install it.
   --If any problems occur the customer must contact AOL Tech Support.

or

Something that has worked for me on some occasions:

1. Remove DUN and reboot.
2. Add DUN and reboot.
3. Remove ALL Network Protocols.
4. Add Client For Microsoft Networks.
5. If Dial-up Adapter and TCP/IP aren't installed... add them.
6. Set Primary Logon to: Windows Log on.
7. Click OK and reboot when prompted. If prompted to enter identification; first go to the identification tab and name the PC. Then click OK again... reboot when prompted.
   
   --This has fixed about 50% of TCP/IP failures we have run into.

There was also talk at some point about certain techs that clicking "Reset Internet Settings" in Internet Options several times and rebooting would help. I have never had this method work for me, but about 10% of cases were solved with this method. As always, this is an AOL/Windows issue; so if worse comes to worse... contact AOL or system vendor.

To disable cookies or Active X:

1. Click "Start", go to "Setting", and click on "Control Panel".
2. Double click on "Internet Options".
3. Click on the "Security Tab" and select "Internet".
4. Click the "Custom Level" button below.
5. If you scroll down you'll find cookies, Active X/Scripting, etc... and can enable/disable those features.

Wait until the entire web page has loaded and the Rich Text Format box has become enabled ( it turns gray to white) BEFORE you compose a message

or

Use Microsoft Outlook Express to gain access to your Hotmail Account.

To fix this error:

1. Go into Outlook Express.
2. Click Tools on the top menu bar.
3. Go to Empty Cache.
4. Select Empty Entire Cache.
5. Click Yes.

This is caused by a damaged Registry key. To Remove the broken Key in Windows XP do the following:

1. Click Start--> Run and then type "regedt32" in the Open box.
2. Locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider
3. Right click on the "Protected Storage System Provider" key and left-click on "Permissions".
4. In the "Permissions for Protected Storage System Provider" dialog box click the "Advanced" button. On the new window make sure that all the users have "Full Control Access" excpet for "RESTRICTED", they'll have "Read". Deselect "Inherit from Parent..." check box and if prompted click the "Copy" in the dialog box. Select the "Replace permission entries..." checkbox and if prompted click "Yes".
5. Click the "OK" button twice to return the registry editor.
6. Repeat Steps 3-5 for each "S-###" subkey that is listed under the Protected Storage System Provider registry key; otherwise, you may receive the following error message when you try to delete the Protected Storage System Provider key in the next step:
   Registry editor could not delete the key currently selected. The key or one of its
   subkeys does not give you delete access.
7. Right click on the "Protected Storage System Provider" key and left click on "Delete". If you worried about doing such, you can first export a copy of this key, and then delete the key. To export the key, right click the "Protected Storage System Provider key" and select "Export".
8. When you click Delete, you receive the following message:
   Registry editor will delete the currently selected key and all its subkeys. Do you want to continue
   the operation?
   Click "Yes" to finish
9. Start Outlook Express. When Outlook Express checks your mail account(s) you will be able to re-enter your password(s). This process repopulates the Protected Storage System Provider registry key with the correct information for that computer's SID. NOTE: Instead of just being prompted for the password you may have to reset up your mail account. Do so as you normally would via your ISP's directions.

Go to Start-->Run

Type in "regedit" and click "OK". This will open up the Registry Editor.

On the left hand side navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Netscape\Netscape Navigator\Automation Protocols by clicking on the +'s.

On the right hand side, look for "ftp" and "http" keys. If the data for these keys refer to a third party program such as GetRight or Freeloader, then highlight ftp and http and delete them.

Exit the Registry Editor.

For Communicator 4.x, create a new profile. This will take care of the problem and Communicator will work. See the following article for instructions: SmartUpdate, JAR failed. security check -8156

For Navigator 3.x on Windows 3.1 - in File Manager, go to the directory where Navigator is installed, find the netscape.ini file, rename it to netscape.old and restart Navigator. Be aware that you will have to re-enter all your preferences.

Netscape has more info on this subject here.

1. Sometimes, Netscape (all current versions) will not totally shut down. It will appears that it closes normally, but it will actually still be running in background. This causes the next instance of Netscape to misbehave. It may not respond properly if you click on a links or downloads may not work. E-mail won't work and definitely won't allow you to switch to another profile. To get it to work properly, you have to stop the background application and the only way to stop it is to use the task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del keys) and end the task or reboot. Either method always solves this problem.
2. Sometimes Netscape will not install all components properly. This is most commonly seen in the Java component, but I have seen it not work properly in other compnents (i.e. FTP). This is the result of a bad intall. Netscape has no reason why it installs incorrectly, but the only way to fix this problem is an uninstall, delete any remaining Netscape files on the hard drive, and reinstall. All versions must be deleted to insure a proper install. There is no other way out. Typical error is "error opening JAVA jar" message.

1. While not online, but in Netscape clear the cache:
   
   In Navigator, click on "Options"--> "Network Preferances". Click on the "Cache" tab. Click "Clear Disk Cache Now".
   
   In Communicator, click "Edit"--> "Preferences". Click the "+" next to "Mail and Newsgroups" so it becomes a "-". Select "Cache". Click "Clear Disk Cache Now" on the right hand side of the window.
   
2. Exit Netscape.
3. Search for the file "ccache log" and move it to the trash.

If you are a Windows user and (a) intend to download Netscape Communicator 4.7 or (b) already have downloaded 4.7 and are experiencing problems, please read on. If you are not experiencing any problems, there is no need to take any action at this time.

If you don't know how to perform the steps outlined below, please try downloading the latest version found at the top of this page.

To ensure that Netscape Communicator 4.7 works properly, you must remove your "FullSoft" directory.

To do this, follow these steps:

Delete the following directory "FullSoft" located under: C:\Program Files\Netscape\Communicator\Program\FullSoft

That's all there is to it. You may now launch Netscape Communicator 4.7.

Netscape lists more info here.

Netscape has made a change in the way it displays their news updates when you open up Messenger to a pop-up. The following procedure will fix this issue:

1. Exit completely out of all Netscape applications.
2. Use "My computer" to get to C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\{User Profile Name}
3. Copy the file prefs.js to back it up.
4. Use Notepad to open the original prefs.js.
5. Add the line:
   user_pref("mailnews.start_page.enabled", false);
6. Save the file and exit out of Notepad.
7. The pop-up should no longer appear.