Cannot update Win98, download files, software or listen to music on Web.

Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 20:25:29 -0700
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win98.internet.windows_update
Size: 1,884 bytes

I've been having two problems with my computer since last
year that I haven't been able to resolve. I tried
everything I could think of but nothing worked.
One problem is that I haven't been able to download any
files, software, music, or even listen to music from/on
any Internet web site for the last six months or so.
Every time I try to download a file, a box
titled "Microsoft Internet Explorer" pops up which says:
"Internet Explorer cannot download ie6setup.exe from
download.microsoft.com. Internet Explorer was not able to
open this Internet site. The requested site is either
unavailable or cannot be found. Please try again."
I uninstalled and reinstalled Internet Explorer (ver. 6)
and I even installed an older version of Internet Explorer
but the problem still exists.
My second problem is that I haven't been able to update
Windows 98 (2nd. addition) for many months. Microsoft's
Update page says, "To install items from Windows Update,
you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of
the Administrators group." They have instructions for
logging on as an Administrator if using later versions of
Windows but not Windows 98.
I just read the message posted to this board earlier today
by Larry W4CSC titled, "Let's BYPASS Win98 update that
doesn't work....." I following his instructions and was
able to access Windows 98 Update page. However, when I
tried to download a file I wasn't able to. The
same "Microsoft Internet Explorer" box (described above)
popped up.
Yesterday a technician with my computer company told me
that my not being able to download files, software, etc.
from the Internet and not being able to access Window 98
Update page were related. But now that I was able to
access the Windows Update page but still was not able to
download a file, I don't think we was right.
Please help!
R. J.