Britbuild wrote:

done that and the drivers I have are the latest, years later than win98.


Boot the computer into Safe Mode.
Open Control Panel - System - Device Manager.
Delete all repeat all items in the Network adapters category.
Also delete all items that show any sort of an error flag.

Shut down and restart the computer normally. It will redetect the
devices and (hopefully) configure them correctly.

One further question. Do the USB ports on this computer work properly
for any other devices? Have you tried using a digital camera, or a
printer or scanner that connects via USB?

If not then you may have to repeat the Safe Mode trick and also delete
everything in the USB category.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."