Restore my aol 9.6 snmaster.idx database file

You may receive the message "SNMaster.idx file is missing" while installing the AOL software if certain data files are not installed in the correct location. Copying the backup of the SNMaster.idx file and pasting it in the idb folder may resolve the issue. If this does not resolve the issue, please reinstall the AOL software.

You will need to know the version of the Microsoft Windows operating system installed on your computer. You can find this information by following the instructions given in the online help article How do I determine the version of Windows I have?

• Copy the SNMaster.idx file to the idb folder
• Uninstall and reinstall the AOL software

Navigating to the backup copy of the SNMaster.idx file and copying it to the idb folder may resolve the issue. Please click the link corresponding to the version of Windows you have on your computer for instructions to copy the SNMaster.idx file to the idb folder.

• Windows 7/Vista
• Windows XP/2000/Me/98

To copy the SNMaster.idx file to the idb folder using AOL System Information in Windows 7/Vista

1. Click Start. In the Search box, type system, and then click AOL System Information. If prompted by the User Account Control window, click Yes or Continue. The AOL System Information 2.0 window appears.

Important: If the AOL System Information window doesn't appear, look for a flashing tab in the Windows taskbar. If you see the flashing tab, click it. The User Account Control window appears. Click Yes. The AOL System Information window appears.

Notes:

• Alternatively, you can access AOL System Information through the Windows taskbar. On the taskbar, next to the clock, click the AOL icon, and then click System Information.
  
• If you are unable to open AOL System Information, go to our online help article Open Data Folder to find out how to manually open the Data Folder. Click the Back to previous page button in that online help article to return to this article, and then continue from Step 3.

2. Click the AOL Software or AOL tab, and then click Open Data Folder.

3. Double-click the backup folder.

4. Right-click the SNMaster.idx file, and then click Copy.

5. Click the Back icon.

6. Right-click the idb folder, and then click Paste.

7. Click Copy and Replace.

8. Close all open windows.

To copy the SNMaster.idx file to the idb folder using AOL System Information in Windows XP/2000/Me/98

1. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type sinf, and then click OK. If prompted by a caution window, click OK. The AOL System Information 2.0 or AOL System Information window appears.

Note: If you are unable to open AOL System Information, go to our online help article Open Data Folder to find out how to manually open the Data Folder. Click the Back to previous page button in that online help article to return to this article, and then continue from Step 3.

2. Open Data folder.

• If you are using ACS 4 or ACS 3, click the AOL Software or AOL tab, and then click Open Data Folder.
• If you are using ACS 2, click the WAOL tab, and then click Data Folder.
• If you are using ACS 1, click Data Folder.
• If you are using AOL 8.0 or lower versions, click Folder.

3. Double-click the backup folder.

4. Right-click the SNMaster.idx file, and then click Copy.

5. Click the Back icon.

6. Right-click the idb folder, and then click Paste.

7. Click Yes to confirm the replacement of the SNMaster.idx file.

8. Close all open windows.

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If the issue persists, we recommend that you uninstall and reinstall the AOL software. Uninstalling the AOL software removes all damaged and non-repairable files. Once the uninstallation is complete, reinstalling a new copy of the AOL software is quick and easy. Please note that uninstalling the AOL software removes all screen names and settings associated with it. However, your Filing Cabinet files will automatically be stored on the desktop in a folder named Saved on AOL.

IMPORTANT: If you have saved your AOL password on the AOL software, ensure that you remember your password before you uninstall the AOL software because uninstalling the software will delete your saved password. If you don’t remember your password, we recommend that you change your password before proceeding any further. You will also need to remember the answer to your Account Security Question (ASQ) to be able to change your password. You can change your ASQ if you don’t remember the answer to it. For instructions on how to change your password or ASQ, refer to the following online help articles:

• How do I change my password?
• I forgot my AOL Password
• I forgot the answer to my Account Security Question

Please click the link corresponding to the version of Windows on your computer for instructions to uninstall the AOL software.

• Windows 7/Vista
• Windows XP/2000/Me/98

Note: If you are unable to uninstall the AOL software, refer to our online help article Can't uninstall the AOL software.