How do I configure my computer to use a hotel's high speed internet
access?  I plugged in the ethernet cable, but my browser
(Internet Explorer) would not launch.  I have an AOL 8.0 membership,
but I'm guessing that the high speed access would not be thru AOL.

I'm guessing that you are using Windows XP, if this is not right
please correct me, with Internet Explorer 6. Also what Firewall are
you using?
There are several things that you can try. First make sure that the
computer recognises the ethernet cable, start the computer without the
ethernet, go into the control panel, network/internet connections and
then network connections. The ethernet connection should show up on
here, the icon should be "lit up" if its not you may have a problem
with your hardware or software.

Make sure that the ethernet socket is not damaged, does this usually
work? When was last time you used the ethernet socket? Do you usually
connect to the internet through a USB port?

Check that you have all the windows updates, the all the current
drivers for your hardware (visit manufatcures websites).

You could try disabling your firewall and accessing the interent
although this is risky!

I may not have made my self clear. When I talked about going into the
control panel do this while the ethernet cable is plugged into the
socket.

Perhaps there is a manual setting for the network gateway address that
the hotel requires for a user's computer?

While most of these connections are generic, you will need to verify
with the hotel if there are any special settings to connect with their
LAN. Usually "obtain an ip address automatically" is sufficent, but
you may need an additional tcp/ip stack in place for that connection
separate from the AOL TCP/IP stack. The Hotel will have support for
these connections.