Error: Unable to find an appropriate DSL modem or adapter to use for this connection
This error message occurs for two main reasons: if the USB cable
is not plugged into the PC from the modem or if the drivers have
not installed correctly.
In order to fix this problem, please work through the following steps:
Check your physical set-up
Connection problems might be caused by something as simple as a loose connection to the modem, modem router or a filter. Check the connections are correctly set up as follows:
1. Unplug every device from your broadband-enabled phone line. Ensure to check every telephone point.
2. Locate the master phone socket and plug the filter directly into this socket.
3. Plug the DSL cable (the yellow line cable) into the DSL side of the filter.
4. Plug the other side of the yellow cable into your DSL modem or modem router.
5. Connect the DSL modem or modem router to the computer via the USB or ethernet cable provided.
Notes
-- For the best performance, we recommend that you always use your master socket and the DSL cable provided. Remove any extension cables that are present.
-- The cable connecting the DSL filter to the modem or modem router should be no longer than 10 metres.
-- Any other telephony devices connected to the phone line, such as a burglar alarm, or Sky digital must also be connected via a DSL filter.
-- Ensure that no more than four telephone sockets, including the master socket, are in use.
1. Unplug every device from your broadband-enabled phone line. Ensure to check every telephone point.
2. Locate the master phone socket and plug the filter directly into this socket.
3. Plug the DSL cable (the yellow line cable) into the DSL side of the filter.
4. Plug the other side of the yellow cable into your DSL modem or modem router.
5. Connect the DSL modem or modem router to the computer via the USB or ethernet cable provided.
Notes
-- For the best performance, we recommend that you always use your master socket and the DSL cable provided. Remove any extension cables that are present.
-- The cable connecting the DSL filter to the modem or modem router should be no longer than 10 metres.
-- Any other telephony devices connected to the phone line, such as a burglar alarm, or Sky digital must also be connected via a DSL filter.
-- Ensure that no more than four telephone sockets, including the master socket, are in use.
Repair the AOL Connectivity Service
Select your operating system for step-by-step instructions on how to repair the AOL Connectivity Service (ACS). Once the ACS has been repaired, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.
Windows 7
To repair the ACS on a computer running Windows 7, take the following steps:
1. Click the Start globe, in the search box type services.msc and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Click Continue at the UAC prompt.
3. In the list of services, locate AOL Connectivity Service, right-click it and select Stop from the menu.
4. Close the Services window.
5. Click the Start globe again and select Control Panel.
6. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
7. Double-click Folder Options.
8. Select the View tab.
9. Tick the radio button for Show hidden files and folders.
10. Untick Hide protected operating system files. Click OK.
11. Click the Start globe again, and this time select Computer.
12. Double-click Local Disk (C:).
13. Double-click the Program Data folder.
14. Then double-click the AOL folder.
15. Double-click the ACS folder.
16. Right-click the folder labelled 1.0.
17. Click Delete from the menu.
18. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
19. Restart AOL.
Windows Vista
To repair the ACS on a computer running Windows Vista, take the following steps:
1. Click the Start globe, in the search box type services.msc and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Click Continue at the prompt.
3. In the list of sevices, locate AOL Connectivity Service. Then, right-click it and select Stop.
4. Close the Services window.
5. Click the Start globe again and select Control Panel.
6. Select Classic View from the panel on the left and double-click Folder Options.
7. Select the View tab and ensure that Show hidden files and folders is selected.
8. Untick Hide protected operating system files and click OK.
9. Click the Start globe again, and this time select Computer.
10. Double-click Local Disk (C:), and then double-click the Program Data folder.
11. Double-click AOL and then double-click ACS.
12. Right-click the folder labelled 1.0 and select Delete.
13. Click Yes to confirm the deletion and restart the AOL software. Then, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.
All other versions of Windows
To repair the ACS on all other versions of Windows, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the AOL icon in the system tray (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, next to the system clock).
2. Select One-Click Fixes.
3. Locate Repair ACS and click the Fix it For Me button next to it.
4. Click Continue.
5. Once it has completed, click Done. Then, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.
Set up a new broadband location
After ACS has been repaired, you will need to set up a new location in the AOL software to connect to the internet.
To set up a new broadband location, take the following steps:
1. Open the AOL software.
2. On the sign-on screen, click Connect Options.
3. Select Create Dial-Up Location and then click Broadband/Other ISP.
4. Click Next and wait while the AOL software detects the connection.
5. Click Sign On to connect to the internet.
Windows 7
To repair the ACS on a computer running Windows 7, take the following steps:
1. Click the Start globe, in the search box type services.msc and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Click Continue at the UAC prompt.
3. In the list of services, locate AOL Connectivity Service, right-click it and select Stop from the menu.
4. Close the Services window.
5. Click the Start globe again and select Control Panel.
6. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
7. Double-click Folder Options.
8. Select the View tab.
9. Tick the radio button for Show hidden files and folders.
10. Untick Hide protected operating system files. Click OK.
11. Click the Start globe again, and this time select Computer.
12. Double-click Local Disk (C:).
13. Double-click the Program Data folder.
14. Then double-click the AOL folder.
15. Double-click the ACS folder.
16. Right-click the folder labelled 1.0.
17. Click Delete from the menu.
18. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
19. Restart AOL.
Windows Vista
To repair the ACS on a computer running Windows Vista, take the following steps:
1. Click the Start globe, in the search box type services.msc and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Click Continue at the prompt.
3. In the list of sevices, locate AOL Connectivity Service. Then, right-click it and select Stop.
4. Close the Services window.
5. Click the Start globe again and select Control Panel.
6. Select Classic View from the panel on the left and double-click Folder Options.
7. Select the View tab and ensure that Show hidden files and folders is selected.
8. Untick Hide protected operating system files and click OK.
9. Click the Start globe again, and this time select Computer.
10. Double-click Local Disk (C:), and then double-click the Program Data folder.
11. Double-click AOL and then double-click ACS.
12. Right-click the folder labelled 1.0 and select Delete.
13. Click Yes to confirm the deletion and restart the AOL software. Then, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.
All other versions of Windows
To repair the ACS on all other versions of Windows, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the AOL icon in the system tray (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, next to the system clock).
2. Select One-Click Fixes.
3. Locate Repair ACS and click the Fix it For Me button next to it.
4. Click Continue.
5. Once it has completed, click Done. Then, follow the steps below to set up a new broadband location.
Set up a new broadband location
After ACS has been repaired, you will need to set up a new location in the AOL software to connect to the internet.
To set up a new broadband location, take the following steps:
1. Open the AOL software.
2. On the sign-on screen, click Connect Options.
3. Select Create Dial-Up Location and then click Broadband/Other ISP.
4. Click Next and wait while the AOL software detects the connection.
5. Click Sign On to connect to the internet.
Enable modem connection (Windows XP Service Pack 2 only)
Run a Dial-up Networking (DUN) Test
DUN Test using BT Voyager modem
1. Double-click the BT Voyager icon on the taskbar, normally bottom-right of the screen near the clock.
2. Click the AOL Test 1 button and wait for the test to finish. A pass/fail message will appear.
3. Repeat the above steps with the AOL Test 2 button.
DUN Tests using the Alcatel SpeedTouch modem
Use the Speedtouch dial-up icon on the desktop to carry out these tests. If the icon is not present please remove and reinstall the drivers.
1. Test 1: In the Username box type: (case sensitive) - ISUR_AOLDSL@americaonline.aol.com
In the Password box type: (case sensitive) - roughalien, and click Connect.
2. Test 2: In the Username box type: (case sensitive) - bt_test_user@startup_domain
Password: {leave this field blank}, and click Connect.
Proceed to the next step but if any of the tests fail, make a note of the DUN Error Code in case you need to contact Member Services.
1. Double-click the BT Voyager icon on the taskbar, normally bottom-right of the screen near the clock.
2. Click the AOL Test 1 button and wait for the test to finish. A pass/fail message will appear.
3. Repeat the above steps with the AOL Test 2 button.
DUN Tests using the Alcatel SpeedTouch modem
Use the Speedtouch dial-up icon on the desktop to carry out these tests. If the icon is not present please remove and reinstall the drivers.
1. Test 1: In the Username box type: (case sensitive) - ISUR_AOLDSL@americaonline.aol.com
In the Password box type: (case sensitive) - roughalien, and click Connect.
2. Test 2: In the Username box type: (case sensitive) - bt_test_user@startup_domain
Password: {leave this field blank}, and click Connect.
Proceed to the next step but if any of the tests fail, make a note of the DUN Error Code in case you need to contact Member Services.
Check your computer for spyware
Spyware is a prime cause of connection problems and can slow down your computer. We recommend that you run spyware protection such as Ad-Aware or Spybot - Search & Destroy regularly.
For more information about spyware, see Safety, Security & Privacy Help.
For more information about spyware, see Safety, Security & Privacy Help.
Remove and reinstall DSL modem drivers
Windows Vista users: Please skip this step.
Before you begin, please ensure you have downloaded the most recent version of the modem software from AOL Keyword: Broadband Drivers.
You can reinstall your modem as follows:
BT Voyager 50 (or 100/105) USB DSL Modem
1. Click Start, then Settings and Control Panel.
Windows XP users: click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove icon.
Windows XP users may need to click Switch to classic view for this option to be visible.
3. Select the BT Voyager 50 (100/105) modem and then click Remove.
4. Once the drivers are uninstalled, restart your PC.
5. Explore your broadband CD and run the Doctor.exe (Doctor100.exe/Doctor105.exe) file.
6. Once this is complete you are ready to install the modem drivers again. Go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Drivers for installation guides and modem driver software.
Further information for BT Voyager and Alcatel modems
Before you begin, please ensure you have downloaded the most recent version of the modem software from AOL Keyword: Broadband Drivers.
You can reinstall your modem as follows:
BT Voyager 50 (or 100/105) USB DSL Modem
1. Click Start, then Settings and Control Panel.
Windows XP users: click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, double-click the Add/Remove icon.
Windows XP users may need to click Switch to classic view for this option to be visible.
3. Select the BT Voyager 50 (100/105) modem and then click Remove.
4. Once the drivers are uninstalled, restart your PC.
5. Explore your broadband CD and run the Doctor.exe (Doctor100.exe/Doctor105.exe) file.
6. Once this is complete you are ready to install the modem drivers again. Go to AOL Keyword: Broadband Drivers for installation guides and modem driver software.
Further information for BT Voyager and Alcatel modems
Related articles
![]() | Home Networking |
![]() | Spyware protection |
![]() | Internet & web browser |
![]() | Unexpected disconnections |
![]() | Cables, filters & accessories |
![]() | Accessing AOL from overseas |
![]() | Uninstalling and reinstalling AOL |
![]() | View all >> |
Further Assistance
Please sign in to contact a technical support agent online
