Client for Microsoft Networks Missing

Trying to connect to a home network. The drivers are all
listed as working properly, and the computer, at one point
was working on the network well.

When I go into the Network properties, the client for
Microssoft Networks is missing. When I attempt to add the
client, I can select it from the list, and windows prompts
me to restart for the changes to occur. After restarting,
the client is once again gone, as it is if I do not
restart, and reopen the network properties.

I tried to use the "Have Disk" option and hannd pick the
windows/inf directory, and it brings up a list of clients,
including the client for MS networks. But when I select
the client, it tells me the path does not contain the
information. So I am thinking that somehow the .inf file
for the client was corrupted or deleted.

I have 2 other machines with properly running windows 98
on them, but cannot identify the file which contains the
client info. Could use that name, or any other possible
reasons/solutions for this problem.