Chips - rt click on the AOL icon on the taskbar, select 'One Click Fixes' select 'Connectivity' and click 'Rebuild the Adapter'
That usually fixes any start-up problems - if it doesn't, try some of the other choices.
As others have said, AOL was fine when I got my first PC 10 years ago and it is perhaps now beyond its sell by date BUT I find AOL Bb fast and stable and the thought of jumping to another provider of dubious credentials makes me stay with it.
Good luck
mcdhu