The snmaster.idx is a file from AOL that is installed on your computer and contains your password and screen name. It is a particular problem with people who are running Vista and AOL. There are a few fixes for this common problem that have worked for other users.

Delete the Shortcut

If you have AOL as an icon on your desktop, delete the shortcut. Then, from Program Files, create a new shortcut for your desktop. This has solved the problems for many people.

Uninstall and Defrag

Some users have recommended that you uninstall the version of AOL that you are running, defrag the computer and then reinstall the latest version. To uninstall:

1. Go to Start, then Control Panel and then Add/Remove Programs.
2. Find the AOL programs and click on Change/Remove.
3. Select all of the AOL programs to remove.
4. You will see a confirmation window - click Next.
5. The computer will need to be restarted, but the AOL files should be removed.

Then you need to defrag your system. Over time, data gets scattered around your computer. Defragmenting the system puts the data back in order so that your computer can find the files easier.

1. Go to Start, then All Programs and then Accessories.
2. Click on System Tools, then Disk Defragmenter.
3. Click on the drive you want to defragment - the drive where you install AOL.
4. You will see a bunch of colored lines on the screen as the system defrags. This process can take awhile to complete.

Now you can go to the AOL Download and grab the latest version.

AOL’s Solution

The AOL solution is to copy AOL to a different location on your computer.

1. Go to Start, then click on My Computer. Access AOL.
   1. In Windows XP, click on Local Disk (C) then go to Windows\All Users\Application Data\AOL
   2. In Vista, go to Local Disk (C) then go to Windows\Program Data\AOL Folder

1. Right click on the C_AOL90 folder. Choose Copy. You may see multiple AOL folders - copy the one with the highest letter of the alphabet after it.
2. You then need to past the folder in the right location.
   1. In Windows XP - go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AOL.
   2. In Vista - go to C:\Programs Data\AOL.
3. Right click on the folder and choose Paste.
4. When you restart AOL, the problem should be fixed.

I have listed these fixes in order from easiest to most difficult, but all of these should be easy to do. Hopefully, your error message should disappear.

Kat Delong | November 7th, 2008
Tags: recover snmaster idx file
Categories: Computer Error Messages

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