As I understand it, you can connect to the web via AOL but not check mail. Try one of the following.

1) Using AOL to conect to the web, simply use Safari to access AOL's web-based email browser. Lame, yes, but simple.

2) Using mail.app, create a new account and enter the following settings:

Account Type: IMAP

email address with @aol.com

Incoming Server: imap.aol.com

Outgoing: smtp.aol.com

Server Port: 587

Authentication: password

If AOL will connect you via dialup, you should be able to use mail.app to check your mail. These days, AOL is really good for nothing but a "convenient" dial-up connection anyway. These settings allow you to check AOL mail more frequently and use mail.app's far superior mail filter (which is not saying much for AOL's.)

Also, you used to be able to reduce your monthy service to $4.95. (I don't know if AOL still gives you the option.) If you are using a hi-speed connection, the above settings are a great way to check AOL and never have to sign on with their utterly awful software again. Thus you will never use the measly two free hours that come with the $4.95 plan.

Finally, if AOL problems persist (and with AOL they always do) and if you have a cell phone, you can forgo the AOL dial-up entirely by using your mobile and a data cable/bluettoh to connect. The above settings will get you to your AOL mail.