OK, still trying. Robomatic, I am on dial-up. I do not have W2000, just a second-hand HD that once had it on, and which I have now formatted. I DO have W98, W98SE, and WME. Haven't tried ME yet, but I thought it was a poor system and took it off. Maybe I'll try it next.
I haven't decided if I'm going to Linux yet, but it becomes more attractive with each disappointment.
Previously, I've never had a serious problem with either W98 or my virus-killer. How times change.
John, the IE that installs with my W98SE CD is Build 3, which won't update in Microsoft Windows Update. I have to update IE from a cover-disk, and then go to Microsoft to update again. Before the troubles started, Windows was completely up to date.

Since my last post, I've formatted C:, and used FDisk to re-partition the HD into two partitions, reinstalled W98SE and all the drivers, and I just (just?)get the blue-screen-of-death at the moment when the system should should go on-line.
I'm going to have to throw some money at this problem, aren't I.   Chris.