How To Join Chat Rooms on AOL
Posted on Dec 20th 2007 10:26AM by Joseph Manna
Filed under: AOL Help, Tutorials, Community Info
Hey folks,
We received a lot of feedback since the redesign of AOL People Connection. Thanks again for all of your comments. The most popular feedback about the changes was about how to join the discussion in AOL Chat rooms.
AOL Chat rooms require AOL Software like AOL 9.1, AOL Desktop or AOL for OS X. This is because AOL Chat rooms use a proprietary language that only AOL software can understand. No worries, though, the AOL software is easy to use and offers plenty of additional features that users have loved for years.
Alternatively, if you don't wish to use the AOL software, you can participate in our Web-based AIM Chats. These rooms are still pretty new, so grab some buddies and join in the discussions. You can access these rooms with your AOL or AIM screen name and a Web browser that includes the latest version of Adobe Flash.
How to Access AOL Chat Rooms, if You Don't Have the AOL Software:
1. Make sure you have an AOL screen name. If you don't have one, you can create yours for free.
2. Download and install the latest AOL software to your computer. You only need to download it once and will take several minutes over a high-speed connection.
3. Sign on to the AOL service as "Existing Member." Click Sign On to connect to AOL.
4. Enter your AOL screen name and password, then click Next and wait a moment for your Welcome Screen to finish loading.
5. Along the top, click the Community menu, click Chat Room Listings.
6. Select the room of your choice and click Go Chat.
How to Access AOL Chat Rooms, if You Have the AOL Software:
1. Click Sign On to connect to AOL with your AOL screen name and password.
2. After you sign in, click the Community menu located at the top, then click Chat Room Listings.
3. Select the room of your choice, then click Go Chat.
Now, just sit back and enjoy the variety of discussions that are going on. If you aren't down with the chat lingo, check out some common acronyms that are used in Chat rooms and Instant Messages.
If you need help connecting to AOL, or have a question about your AOL account, visit AOL Help for further assistance. Also, you can learn more about the features on AOL anytime by stopping over at Discover AOL.
~ Joseph
We received a lot of feedback since the redesign of AOL People Connection. Thanks again for all of your comments. The most popular feedback about the changes was about how to join the discussion in AOL Chat rooms.
AOL Chat rooms require AOL Software like AOL 9.1, AOL Desktop or AOL for OS X. This is because AOL Chat rooms use a proprietary language that only AOL software can understand. No worries, though, the AOL software is easy to use and offers plenty of additional features that users have loved for years.
Alternatively, if you don't wish to use the AOL software, you can participate in our Web-based AIM Chats. These rooms are still pretty new, so grab some buddies and join in the discussions. You can access these rooms with your AOL or AIM screen name and a Web browser that includes the latest version of Adobe Flash.
How to Access AOL Chat Rooms, if You Don't Have the AOL Software:
1. Make sure you have an AOL screen name. If you don't have one, you can create yours for free.
2. Download and install the latest AOL software to your computer. You only need to download it once and will take several minutes over a high-speed connection.
3. Sign on to the AOL service as "Existing Member." Click Sign On to connect to AOL.
4. Enter your AOL screen name and password, then click Next and wait a moment for your Welcome Screen to finish loading.
5. Along the top, click the Community menu, click Chat Room Listings.
6. Select the room of your choice and click Go Chat.
How to Access AOL Chat Rooms, if You Have the AOL Software:
1. Click Sign On to connect to AOL with your AOL screen name and password.
2. After you sign in, click the Community menu located at the top, then click Chat Room Listings.
3. Select the room of your choice, then click Go Chat.
Now, just sit back and enjoy the variety of discussions that are going on. If you aren't down with the chat lingo, check out some common acronyms that are used in Chat rooms and Instant Messages.
If you need help connecting to AOL, or have a question about your AOL account, visit AOL Help for further assistance. Also, you can learn more about the features on AOL anytime by stopping over at Discover AOL.
~ Joseph
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1. How do I get to chat rooms in AOL Desktop? It seems I can access all other features from here but can't find Chat Rooms.
Posted at 10:44AM on Dec 20th 2007 by dns33
2. dns33,
You can access chat room listings in AOL Desktop (Codename, "Helix") by pressing CTRL+K and typing in FINDACHAT and pressing Enter.
~Joseph
Posted at 10:45AM on Dec 20th 2007 by Joseph Manna
3. Try this: as in the last comment, press 'ctrl + K,' but then type "Chat Room Listings." (without the quotes). This brings up the same listings, but it should have a heart on it. Press the heart to make it a favourite. Then you can access oit more quickly through favpourites on the "file-edit-view" bar.
One note: I've got a fairly new and fast computer, but the listing takes quite a while to load, so give it a while.
Posted at 4:57PM on Dec 20th 2007 by j4a4zsz
4. Joe, I noticed today that on 9.1 there's the main page under Find A New AIM chat has been updated to show a LOT of Chat Rooms that were previously only the old style boards, but now have the Web Page room, too. For this reason, I think instructions should be amended to show how to get to both styles. At this time, only those with a full client have access through the Chat topic at the top of the PC Home Page. It's not there on the AOL Desktop/Helix Home Page. It looks to me like the User Plane have been very busy lately Franki
Posted at 5:37PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Franki
5. hola mi nombre es Eduard soy de honduras recidiendo en ny quiero aser amigos de todo el mundo si alguien me quiere como su amigo solo busquenme dios los vendiga
Posted at 6:04PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Eduard
6. Hello,
After a couple of long conversations with AOL Tech support, I was directed to contact you for assistance.
I last spoke with Gio from tech support yesterday (case #1439859), who acknowledged that this
was an AOL issue, and that I was to explain to you the following:
The sandiegom4m chat room is not available in the chat room listing under Town Square,
specifically the one created by AOL members.
The technicians on the phone were able to locate the sandiegom4m room,
and it has been previously reported, but it is still not showing up in the Chat Rooms Listings window.
To get into the chat room, I currently go through AOL Chat Room Listings,
then Start You Own Chat; I select Town Square, enter sandiegom4m and enter Go Chat.
That works fine.
My main concern is that sandiegom4m is not listed in the Chat Room Listings window.
To be quite frank, I signed up for AOL for this feature only,
and with out it, I have very little use for AOL service, if any.
What can you do to resolve this?
Thank you so much for your help.
I really appreciate it.
Bobby
EDLS66@aol.com
Posted at 11:11AM on Dec 22nd 2007 by bobby edelson
7. firstly, i had a is2002 issue and when i attempted to delete it it wouldn't allow me access to delete a certain file. i don't understand...
Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 22nd 2007 by Alex
8. I give up. I have spent all night trying ot make heads or tailes of whatever AOL is now. I have been attempting to find AOL chatrooms, but it is too much of a chore. What is AOL desktop anyway? I installed it and tried to find the chatrooms for a couple hours now. I then installed AOL 9.1. But when I tried to run it, I was asked for a registration number? What is that? And since I didnt have one or even had any idea of how to find one, the software would NOT even let me shut it down. I had to use WIndows task manager to do it. I have a Master's degree in Engineeering, and yet, this kluge of a software has me baffled. Does anyone at AOL have a clue as to what a confusing mishmash this is?
Posted at 2:45AM on Dec 23rd 2007 by Annie
9. The new format freakin is a pain in the you know what......hate it.....cant get into the chat rooms.....UGH
Posted at 8:16AM on Dec 25th 2007 by TimJR34
10. I am a member of aol and have been since 2000. My question is..... I have aol installed on my computer at home, but at the present, I am not at home. I would like to know if there is a way to access the chat rooms from a computer other than my own. The problem is. They do not have aol on their computer and they do not want it installed on it either. Can anyone help me?
Posted at 9:34PM on Dec 25th 2007 by RosaMaryR
11. I can't figure out how to access the chatrooms through this aol desktop...and when i do the control K it gives me a whole internet search.... How are you supposed to find a chat room? My boyfriend can do it without the software....I don't understand how that is possible?? Anyone know how to do it?
Posted at 6:58AM on Dec 27th 2007 by Lisa
12. Alex,
The error message you mentioned is related to downloading the AOL software. I recommend to make sure you don't have your firewall blocking the download process.
AOL Help has some instructions describing how to resolve the IS-2002 error at http://help.channels.aol.com/kjump.adp?articleId=220883 .
~ Joseph
Posted at 11:24AM on Dec 28th 2007 by Joseph Manna
13. RosaMaryR,
At this time, AOL Chat Rooms require the use of AOL software like AOL 9.0 or AOL Desktop. In the meantime you can visit AIM Chats in your Web browser at http://chat.aim.com/ .
~ Joseph
Posted at 11:26AM on Dec 28th 2007 by Joseph Manna
14. If you download AOL desktop and want to enter chatrooms, you must create a new AOL screen name. It wont accept AIM screen names to enter chat. After downloading AOL desktop simply add a new email acct.
Posted at 10:26PM on Dec 28th 2007 by Duckie
15. After several tries I finally figured out why I couldnt enter a chat on AOL desktop. It wont allow AIM screen names to chat. After downloading AOL desktop simply create a new AOL email account. Then type Ctrl + K. Then enter ...Chat Room Listings...You should be good to go.
Posted at 10:57PM on Dec 28th 2007 by dog
16. I am a computer idiot , have had one for a few years and just figure I can't type fast enough to have a conversation. You people have great shortcuts so I was trying to get in.
Posted at 11:43AM on Dec 29th 2007 by jack
17. im computer illiterate
Posted at 12:35AM on Dec 30th 2007 by cr962007
18. im trying to chat in aol chat room but i no longer have internet access to your website. can u please tell me how to access your chat room from my existing website?
Posted at 10:52PM on Dec 31st 2007 by gapeach32l
19. 36 bi f
Posted at 12:45AM on Jan 1st 2008 by wildvixen37
20. Hi, it's a new year and I think it's time for a new beginning.!!!!!!!
Posted at 10:02PM on Jan 3rd 2008 by aquadoll001