retro-aim-server

Windows AIM 5.x Client Setup

This guide explains how to install and configure Windows AIM 5.x clients for Retro AIM Server.

AIM 5.x is recommended if you want to experience the last version of AIM with the “classic” early-2000s feel.

Installation

Linux / FreeBSD

Windows AIM versions 5.0-5.1.3036 run perfectly well on Wine. Here’s how to set up AIM 5.1.3036.

  1. Install Wine
  2. Download the AIM installer from archive.org
  3. Run the installer from the terminal: 
    wine aim513036.exe

macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)

Windows AIM can run on modern macOS without a VM, including the Apple Silicon platform!

Get started with the AIM for macOS project.

Windows 10/11

  1. Download AIM 5.9.6089 (available on NINA wiki).
  2. Install AIM and exit out of the application post-installation.
  3. Open Task Manager and kill the AOL Instant Messenger (32 bit) process to make sure the application is actually terminated.
  4. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM.
  5. Delete aimapi.dll.

  6. Set Windows XP compatibility mode on aim.exe.

  7. Launch AIM.

Configuration

Once installed, configure AIM to connect to Retro AIM Server.

  1. At the sign-on screen, click Setup.

    screenshot of AIM sign-on screen

  2. Under the Sign On/Off category, click Connection.

    screenshot of AIM preferences window

  3. Configure the server host and port fields according to the OSCAR_ADVERTISED_LISTENERS_PLAIN configuration found in config/settings.env. For example, if OSCAR_ADVERTISED_LISTENERS_PLAIN=LOCAL://127.0.0.1:5190, set Host to 127.0.0.1 and Port to 5190.

    screenshot of AIM host dialog

  4. Click OK and sign in to AIM!
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