Compare the two pictures below...

Compressed Picture Above

The first picture (above) is purposely compressed too much causing color banding and a loss of picture clarity.

Normal Picture Above

The second picture should appear sharp and clear with no color banding and with distinct lines and edges.

IF THE SECOND PICTURE LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE OVER-COMPRESSED IMAGE ABOVE IT AND IS NOT SHARP AND CLEAR YOU SHOULD CONTINUE READING.

IF IT IS CLEAR, NO ADJUSTMENT IS NEEDED FOR YOUR BROWSER SETTINGS!

AOL distributes their browser with the graphics compression option activated. To see graphic images in the quality they were intended you need to turn the graphics compression option OFF.

To turn OFF graphics compression select "My AOL" from the toolbar at the top of your AOL window.

The following dialog window will appear...

2.  Select Preferences and a new window will appear similar to the one shown below...

3.  Click on the "WWW" icon and another window appears. Near the top of the window you will see a "Web Graphics" tab -- click on the tab and your window should look similar to the one shown below...

4.  Clear the box that says "Use compressed graphics"

Next, you need to clear the "over-compressed" images from your browser files on your personal computer. If you do not do this you will not see the impact of the change on any picture you viewed in the recent past.

Repeat steps 1-3 above but do not select the "Web Graphics" tab at the top of the window. Instead, you will be using the "General" tab which should look something like the picture below...

Click on "Delete Files and another dialog window will appear similar to the one below...

DO NOT select the box next to "Delete all offline content" since this will remove all your cookies and other valuable settings. Click on OK and your computer will work for a while to delete the images downloaded prior to changing your settings.

An even better solution is to use the full-featured browser that probably came with your computer. Most likely, this will be Microsoft Explorer and you should check their web site to download the most current version and any subsequent updates.

Once you have launched AOL and it has connected to the Internet your computer has an open window and any Internet dependent program can access the net. So to use a full-featured browser all you need to do is establish your connection, minimize the AOL window and launch Microsoft Internet Explorer. Your Internet experience will be much happier and more satisfying!