To
change avatars you must
first delete the current image that you've got (in your profile),
then upload the new one (keeping within the size limitations). If you simply try to overwrite your current avatar it won't work -- you'll see an image error (a small red box with an 'x' inside) instead of your avatar.
The
invalid_session error has been addressed -- AOL users are the only folks (that we're aware of) that should be having any trouble getting that error -- and that's easily fixed by downloading and using Internet Explorer (preferred) or Netscape Navigator. It's a 2-part problem with AOL's proprietary technology and the fact that they don't give their users a dedicated IP address, so the board can't effectively ensure that it's truly you who's trying to post under your login, and the board security gives the 'invalid_session' error because it appears that your session has timed out. The board is doing what it's programmed to do.
Incidental #1) Your online experience is always better/smoother when you keep your browser updated to the newest version (currently version is 6 for IE and 7 for NN). Here are the links -- all updates are free to download.
Internet Explorer (used by 95%+ of Internet surfers) -->
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp
Netscape Navigator -->
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/default.jsp
Incidental #2) AOL is not the best provider of Internet access. In fact they're very over-priced for what they provide (around $22 monthly, I think, for Internet access and some frills that aren't that good) -- a better alternative (for less than half the cost -- $9.95/month and you won't have any of the AOL issues, ever) would be
http://netzero.net or
http://juno.com -- they're both better than average and a better value than AOL
...Patch
