I have here with me a friend's Compaq Presario (running Windows 98). The computer is still fairly new (~500MHz? Celeron, 64MB RAM, 6 GB Hard Drive).

Here's the deal: We were installing a network, and I installed a D-Link network card in the comptuer. I ran the network configuration wizard on an XP computer on the network, and created disks. After running the wizard on the 98 laptop, I lost all dialup connectivity, and I don't think it will get Internet over the LAN either.

Dialup will still make a connection, and put the icon in the system tray. However, no program will make a connection through the dialup.

This computer's CD Rom drive is dead, so the one way I have of comunicating with it is through the network card. I have considered re-installing Internet Explorer 6, and formatting. The problem with formatting is that no CD drive = big problem. I have a factory restore disk though... would it be possible to partition the hard drive and copy the contents of the factory restore disk to the laptop via the network and restore from the partition ?

Or am I thinking too hard here? is there an easier way to get Internet on this laptop?

If I need to clarify anything more, just let me know, I am about out of ideas !