I've had similar aggravations with my mom's PC. Condolences.

I agree that driver disks are often less than helpful. And tech support often leaves a lot to be desired. But I think you're being too hard on the support guy - he may have been barely 8 when Win98 was released. ;-) I wouldn't be at all surprised if yours was the first Win98 call he's received.

Your time is worth something, and getting so upset over this isn't doing you any good either.

Given all that, if there's any way to swing it, it makes sense in this situation to simply get another PC. It'll be faster, have a later operating system, and you can configure it and make sure its working before dropping it in the mail.

DFS has a lot of machines for $80, and a lot more for < $200. http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/ Lots of places sell used/refurbished PCs - http://www.pmount.co...od_show.asp?ss=PC http://www.pcexchang...tegory_s/2000.htm etc. (Caveat emptor, as always.)

Yeah, a NIC shouldn't be this much of a hassle. But it was. Time to move on, IMHO.

I forget where you are these days. Chicago? If so, here are some $80 Dell systems for sale: http://chicago.craig...s/1220784681.html I'm sure there's a lot more.

Just something to think about. Good luck.

Cheers,
Scott.