Did you finish installing ichat? After you download ichat you need to go to "my computer" and into the drive where you downloaded it, mine is in the Cdrive. Look for the icon that says ichat beneath it and double left click on it, that will finish the installation.
If you use AOL, do as Saffron suggests, the AOL browser or other dial up servers browsers do not like our chat room. Internet Explorer works the very best.
If you use a MAC, you can try accessing chat using the html option.
PM me if you have more questions, I'm technically impaired but I'll try to help.
Katholyn