[PVRCNC] pc help requested

[alsopb]

Had an interesting problem crop up on the main computer.

PC archaeologists are requested to help.

The machine runs WIN98SE.

I was logging on to the ISP with dialup networking.  The connection
completed and then the machine froze.

Restarting, SCAN disk reported one error (file name length) that is
supposedly fixed.

Now the PCI modem cannot be found.  It however is there and been
reinstalled numerous times.  It shows up in control panel and in the
modem icon.  Using the modem info option, it does communicate with the
modem.  The communications reports all kinds of things including the
modem type.

Neither dialup networking nor hyperterm can see the modem.  Trying it
install it in dial up networking is unsuccessful.

Here are my thoughts lost or corrupted, bad mode or PCI buss problems. 

All but lost or corrupted files have been ruled out.

As luck would have it, OCT6 I copied the contents of the hard drive to
another with a MAXTOR hard disk copy program.  I put it back as HDD1
and booted up on it.  Lo and behold it finds the modem and dial up
networking can connect.
However due to to incomplete nature of the copy, the browser doesn't
work.
Attempts to reinstall the browser (NETSCAPE 7.2) failed in that
clicking on it does nothing.  Suspect this is due to missing files.

All other HDDO applications now work after reinstalling win98se.  I
also went to the remove programs icon and removed and re-installed the
communications program group.  I'm not sure I did this correctly
because some hyperterm DLL's were missing.  

So I'm left with two partially working drives.   

I do have some old complete backups on a usb hard drive somewhere. 
I'm open to suggestions on which directories/files to restore.  If
either can be identified, I can copy them from backups or from HDD1 to
HDD0.  Hopefully, it isn't something like registry and the like.

Note: repair rates are $55 bench charge and $55/hr here.  So there is
quite a bit of incentive to fix it myself.  Talking to one tech there,
I didn't get a warm feeling about them fixing this quickly.  Would
appreciate any ideas on fixing thie odd problem.

P.S. Did a SPYBOT run.  No 'bots found.  Found no virus which matched
these symptoms on the Internet.

73 de Brian/K3KO

Does anybody know which files might be involved?