Can't access internet

I'm running Windows 98 on a Dimension 4100. I recently started having serious problems with response time--it takes applications forever to open, and in some cases they just hang. I ran Spybot and AdAware, which found a bunch of infections. I had the software delete them, but they still seemed to be reporting a lot of problems when I'd run the programs again.

 

I want to run Norton AntiVirus, but I need to access the Internet to get the latest virus update definitions. In a cruel twist of fate, however, I am unable to access the Internet (I'm posting this from work). I get a message that says "Cannot detect a connection to the Internet," and then has a bunch of verbage telling me that I can't access the Internet until a connection exists (duh).

 

I access the Internet via a LinkSys router connected to a cable modem. Have tried all the usual troubleshooting stuff under these circumstances, including:

I should hasten to add that my wife's PC is connected to the same router and she has no problem accessing the Internet. I'm not sure how she has it configured--she uses it for work and her tech support set up the software, so I don't touch it.

 

I played around a little with Internet Options to change my default. In the process, when accessing Internet Explorer instead of my MSN Explorer login, I always end up at about:blank. A friend who was trying to help me diagnose this problem over the phone googled "about:blank," discovered it's a virus, and visited their Web site. He suggested downloading their software. Sounds quick and easy, but when I went out to their site at work today, I found they want you to pay for the software. Yes, I need to get rid of my computer problems, but I don't know enough about this software to start handing money out to them. And I've yet to read anything on this forum acknowledging them as a viable solution.

 

Anyone have any suggestions on where to start? I've sent an e-mail to Dell Support, but no response yet. The big issue now is accessing the Internet. Is my inability to access being caused by about:blank? Or is it unrelated, but I'll have to address it at some point anyway? This forum has been helpful to me in the past, so I look forward to hearing from someone.

 

Thanks.