ICQ won't uninstall: puts AOL on desktop.

Hi i used the control panel's add/remove program list to uninstall ICQ (cause i never use it).
During unistalling a "FREE AOL" link appeared on my desk-top, GRRRRR. I don't like not know what kind of crap is being installed on my PC. And in my personal opinion, AOL is just NOT the internet. Anyway......

Problem one:

I reboot, and find that icq is gone from the add/remove program list BUT is still on the program list in the START menu, and the folder is still there under windows/program/
And only SOME of the files are gone from the folder but most of it seems pretty much intact.

I've been told to always use the add-remove programs tool to get rid of programs. Is it safe to just delete these folders? And how will know i've gotten rid of it all?

Problem two

Does this AOL link mean there's hidden AOL crap on my PC somewhere and if so how do i find it.?

I also found a programs folder marked "aod" with a "aol" and "soaf" folder inside. Inside the "aod" folder is a AOL icon named "blue-AOL.ico". This is obviously from AOL, but i see no corresponding entry in the add/remove programs list. Can i just delete this folder without screwing up my system? and does anyone know if this folder could be related to anything somewhere else on my pc? Or how to get rid of ALL AOL related crap form my PC ?

Thanks for your time. Robert