I had the same problem too, I don't think you can use the same screenname for gaim and aim so you need to pick a new one. go to my.screenname.aol.com then click on get a screenname and fill out the form, and you should be all set. Otherwise you could get aim for linux here http://www.aim.com/get_aim/linux/latest_linux.adp?aolp= hope this helps.