AOL connection to ChatNet

AOL, America's largest online Internet provider makes it easy to become a part of the ChatNet IRC Network family. If you are a member of AOL, you probably know that AOL allows you to use 3rd party applications, such as web browsers, etc., while signed on to AOL. This is done using Winsock.

Below we try to describe how to access IRC via AOL.

First, you need to know whether or not you are using AOL's 16 bit or 32 bit software. The latest version of AOL software is 3.0 sub 38. If you are using AOL on Windows 3.11 or did not download the new AOL 3.0 for Windows 95 then you have the 16 bit version of AOL. Using the 16 bit version, here is easiest way to connect to ChatNet.

The most popular IRC client is mIRC. The 16 bit version of AOL using a 16 bit tcp/ip stack, which means that you will need to use a 16 bit version of mIRC. To download this go to Keyword: Quickfind, type in mIRC. On the list you will see mIRC related items, look for the one listed as 16 bit version. Download this item. Once downloaded, it should default to the c:\aol\download directory. The file will be an executable meaning you will only need to double click it to launch the install. You can install to whatever directory you choose. Now you have gotten it installed, the next step is run it and get online. To connect to IRC from AOL, you need to start AOL. Connect and then you can minimize AOL, then you will want to run mIRC, the first option will ask you to enter information such as user name etc, this are all things you can customize. Once done filling out this information You should notice a large box listing many different servers. The servers are listed according to groups, ie ChatNet, Efnet, Dalnet, Starlink, Anothernet, Newnet etc. Simply scroll through the list and choose the server you wish to connect to, click it so that it is highlighted and hit connect.

With any luck you will be flying along and connect to an IRC server.

For connect to IRC using the 32 bit version of AOL for Windows 95, simply download the 32 bit version of mIRC from Keyword: Quickfind, and follow the same steps as above.

Although AOL is a very open internet gateway, it is still somewhat proprietary in many areas of the online world, IRC being one of them, due to this fact, servers have to have special ports to allow AOL users to connect to IRC Servers. The standard default port for IRC servers is 6667, AOL requires port 7000 or a combination like that. ChatNet has made this easy for you by providing 4 servers that allow connections on such ports. These servers are listed below.

ChatNet AOL Ports

There are several ChatNet servers that you can use to connect here. The servers, and the ports that will accept AOL connections, are:

SF.CA.US.ChatNet.Org (Port) 7000, 7070

Pensacola.FL.US.ChatNet.Org (Port) 7000, 7070, 7777

Rockhill.SC.US.ChatNet.Org (Port) 1024, 7000

StillWater.OK.US.ChatNet.Org (Port) 7070

London.UK.EU.ChatNet.Org (Port) 7000

Toronto.ON.CA.ChatNet.org (Port) 7000

NOTE: The new "version" of AOL, supposedly addresses the port issue. If you're using the new version of AOL, then the above information will probably be irrelevant and obsolete, therefore should be ignored. Furthermore, the above servers are not the *only* servers compatible with AOL, just a short list. You can view a list of all the ChatNet servers by clicking here.

Note: IRC is an un-moderated forum. AOL users are subject to America Online's Terms of Service agreement at all times. ChatNet does not register Sex or Warez related channels of any kind with our Channel Services (K9). If you have questions concerning America Online's Terms Of Service please use Keyword TOS on AOL. Should you still have problems connecting to IRC via AOL, please use Keyword: TechLive and use AOL's online tech support forum to get help.