IE problems

well it has finally happened again, I have come across two win98 PC's not being able to resolve names. I checked the host file, checked DNS, removed the NIC thru device manager in system. Reinstalled the NIC and still ended up with it not being able to resolve a name in IE and DOS prompt. I can ping any IP address including the localhost address of 127.0.0.1 When I type an address in to the address bar say http://www.google.com it rewrites it http:///?%20google.com or if I put an IP address in the address bar it also comes back http:///?%2011.22.33.1 the 11.22.33.1 is the firewall's gateway. Maybe I didn't uninstall the NIC far enough for it to rewrite over the drivers again.

Well, that's odd... %20 is the hex code for the space character btw...

Sounds like an IE problem. Maybe a dodgy update?

I've had a similar similar issue when the 98 machines are in the internal network. All the Win2k machines resolve with no issues. I started thinking tonight about the 98 machine cahce settings. I'll have to look at that tomorrow. I'm betting the cache default is set to never (or somethig similar....going to look tomorrow at canging that and see the difference) I thought at first it was the Wins setting but will look closer at this.

well I don't know what else to check I'm tired of going thru the registry looking for different internet settings. I guess I'll tell them to update to XP or something newer than win98 or winME