VxD problems (please read)

hello all. I posted yesterday on this board about how to fix this problem. "Windows Protection Error. You need to restart your computer." some great guy gave me the correct place on the msoft site and i was able to download the steps needed to diagnose the problem. Now ive got a bigger problem. I have found that the ONLY way to start up my computer is to select Step-by-Step configuration at the normal/safe mode/step by step/,,,,screen then to say yes to every thing up to and including load all drivers....then answer no to each prompt about loading the vxd files (virtual device drivers) This was microsofts last resolution to this problem but they do not say what to do in order to fix it. When one starts his/her computer without the vxd files, you are severely disabled. vxd files run norton, hotsync, netork adapaters (internet connections) and other important aspects of a computer which are vital to keeping it running. Here is what i know, i can only start by disabling these, but do not know what to do to fix the damaged/corrupt vxd files. I called Dell (long wait) and talked to a indian man whom i could hardly understand and he told me that to fix these damaged files, i should reinstall win98 and reformat my hard drive. Making a backup of my computer would take days and i dont have that kind of time at the moment because i am leaving for school very soon. I am sure there is a simpler way around this than having to reinstall the whole system and erase my hard disk....any suggestions or knowledge on what i can do to fix this? my sister is out of town tomorrow (its her comp) and she has all the windows disks somewhere....i assume that the win98 CD has the software to reinstall the vxds, but im not sure if that will solve the problem.....so any help is greatly appreciated in advance..thank you!!
Dane Stevenson
danestevenson@hotmail.com