moleslayer,
How old is the Dell PC? Specifically what version of PCI slots does it have, and what version of PCI slot does the network card require?
Control Panel, Networks, Properties should enable you to check that the settings are correct - i.e. TCP/IP installed and Client for Microsoft Networks installed, at a minimum. If IPX or NetBeui are installed, then remove them.
Assuming that the NIC is hardware compatible, you should be able to check your network card settings via RUN WINIPCFG (IIRC, it's been a while since I used Win 9x).
Next, use Run, Command and ping localhost, then ping 127.0.0.1, then ping the IP address of your router, then ping
www.bbc.co.uk. If that all works then your problem is with the browser. If it doesn't, then you have a network problem.
Have you used a modem with dial-up access to t'interweb on that PC in the past? Is it possible that IE has retained settings from that configuration, such that it's trying to dial out?
You should be able to access IE Properties without launching it by right-clicking the IE icon on the desktop (it's not an ordinary shortcut).
SD