The usual is that IE has been hijacked. In short, IE can reprogrammed via spyware to use some other DNS and that fails when you are on AOL.
Read about Spyware and common tools in the Virus and Security forum.
Bob
I'm having a problem with a stand alone IE not working when I have AOL running. I connect at home with DSL and at work sometimes with dialup. Both have the same result. I am using a HP laptop and completely updated WinXP.
I spoke to aol tech who are useless, removed aol from the start up menu, and checked "never dial a connection". The last 2 are suggestions from another forum who's only other suggestion was to get rid of AOL. This is not an option.
I get "Cannot find server" "page cannot be displayed" when I'm logged onto AOL. Once I log off AOL but still on DSL,IE works fine. I been using Firefox in the meanwhile with no problems while logged onto AOL. Any ideas whats going on?

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic