Yet another AOL problem

[catk102]

Hi
I have AOL 8.0 (only til thursday thank god)and I have a problem staying connected to the interent I loose my connection every few minutes and it is very very slow(even for AOL standards)I just started having this problems about 1 week ago.
Here is what i have tried already under Modems properties I turned the speed down to 38400. I ran a virus scan( I use antivir persnal edition) I defrag'd scan disked,I reformated my harddrive.
Also I opened up my DOS window and typed ping www.pcmech.com and I think the rsults very a little curious sometimes i get a host not found sometimes sometimes i get 4 packets sent 3 received 1 lost and sometimes i get 4 sent 4 received 0 lost.
Also I have reinstalled the AOL software after the refomat with the same results.
My Computer is a hewlatt packard xg 834 with windows ME.
Also I did call the phone company and a qick test on their side said that the problem is not from them.