What's my IP address (or DNS address)?

Some internet software (e.g. an email or newsgroup reader) may ask you for an IP address or DNS address when you try to use it alongside AOL. AOL is generally not compatible with such software because AOL IP addresses are dynamically assigned and change every time you sign on.

When you connect to AOL a number is assigned to your computer to uniquely identify your computer among the millions of others connected at the same time. This number is known as an IP Address. When you disconnect from AOL this number is retrieved and assigned to someone else when needed. This is known as 'Dynamic IP Addressing.'

A DNS number is similar to an IP Address except instead of identifying your machine it identifies the server you are connecting to. When you type in a web address the information is sent to the server which then retrieves the page and sends it to your machine.

To find out what your IP Address is, follow the instructions below:
Note: You need to be online to do this.

For Windows 7, Vista, XP and 2000 users

1. Click the Start button and select Run.
2. Type CMD and press OK.
3. Type IPCONFIG and press the Enter key on the keyboard.
4. Your IP Address will be contained in the list of information that comes up.

For Windows Me, 98 and 95 users

1. Click the Start button and then on Run
2. Type WINIPCFG and press the ok button
3. At the top of the window select either of the 'PPP Adaptor' entries (If using a version of AOL prior to version 7 select either the 'AOL Adaptor' or the 'AOL Dial Up Adaptor'.) 4. The IP Address and DNS Address will be identified below the Adaptor list.