I don’t use AOL myself, but I know some of you do. This week, the authoritative Exchange Messaging Outlook (from Slipstick Systems) explains How to Download AOL E-mail with Outlook. I haven’t tried it myself, obviously, but the folks at Slipstick are as reliable as it gets:
Since the release of Outlook 97, many AOL users wanted to know how to configure Outlook to read AOL e-mail. The answer was always “You can’t, AOL uses a proprietary e-mail system”. Now they can do it–using an IMAP account to access AOL’s mail server. All versions of Outlook can be used, except Outlook 98 or 2000 in Corporate/workgroup mode, since they don’t support IMAP accounts.
AOL requires SMTP authentication, using the same username and password used for collecting incoming e-mail, and uses port 587 for their SMTP server. While the immediate reaction from many people was “leave it to AOL to use non-standard ports”, it’s a smart move in my opinion and I hope other service providers start doing it. AOL users will be able to send e-mail using the AOL SMTP server regardless of how they connect to the SMTP server, as many ISPs now require anyone connected to their network to send email through the ISPs SMTP.
For more information, the server names to use when configuring an AOL account in Outlook, and a link to AOL’s online Open Mail Access Help topic, see Online Services – AOL.
Update: Simpler instructions are available in this article at Microsoft’s Web site.
Ed Bott 
Regarding the point: “AOL users will be able to send e-mail using the AOL SMTP server regardless of how they connect to the SMTP server…”
There is wrinkle here. AOL users can only send email through the AOL SMTP servers if the FROM address is their AOL email address. People with an AOL account and another one email account, can not use the AOL mail server to send email from their non-AOL address.
i would like to check my aol mail how can i check my mail?