Cannot communicate with DSL modem & Local Network

Computer:
OS Windows ME. Anti-virus and spyware scans were recently done.

Problem:
I was saving an attached file (large Tiff) in Outlook Express to the hard drive and the computer froze up. When I restarted and tried to open OE I got the following error message:

"MSIMN HAS CAUSED AN ERROR IN DIRECTDB.DLL "

Now the computer is unable to recognize the DSL modem and also cannot recognize the External Hard Drive.

Questions:
1) Do I need to replace the DLL file? (I downloaded a replacement at www.dlldump.com)

2) Do I need to reinstall (or update) the drivers for the modem and external HD? Or will the new DLL file correct the problem?

Note: I recently did a complete backup, but I cannot access it on the External HD.

3) Are there any other files I should check or items I need to do?

Thanks for the assistance.

 

First of all check if the drivers are there for the 2 devices > modem and external hard drive

my computer > right click > properties > hardware > device manager

see if there are no exclamation or question marks
you can uninstall the drivers
ignore warnings
reboot
it will reinstall the drivers
uninstall the tcip for the modem
reboot
it will reinstall the tcip
you may have to reinstall windows over the old one
It will set up everything up
You will not lose any data or anything
( unlike in xp)