Did system recovery - now can't connect to cable modem

I have a Sony PCG-F540 w/ Win98SE.
Lost internet connections. Comcast Cable service said I had computer problems - since they could ping my modem OK. I concluded the O.S. was corrupt - and did a system recovery w/o format. Also reinstalled driver from new Motorola modem - as well as other drivers from application recovery disk. Got dial-up back OK - but couldn't get the cable connection. Says TCP/IP error (code 9?).
Called Comcast. They said they don't support a system recovery. They would only help if I had my Win 98SE O.S. disk. Sony didn't include this - only the system recovery - which includes the O.S.
I have been without cable service for a week. I can't get any Comcast help to provide the service that I'm paying for - unless I buy an Win98SE O.S. disk somewhere - for about $80.00! This is declared obsolite - so I doubt if Sony or M.S. would help. The Sony warrenty is long over.

Does anyone have a clue how I can get my cable connection back? I feel I'm being extorted by Comcast. I could quit their service - but would like to resolve this - in spite of them.

Thanks,
Charlie

 

In a way, you do. Look for the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. The windows setup files are usually copied into that folder by those recovery CD's, and yes, it is possible to install windows from there. Not that I am telling you to do that now.
Would you please post the exact TCP/IP error message? or was that it?

 

Good news! I ignored the cable company's advice to not use the USB port - and it is working fine there. I had a Belkin F5D5020 PCMCIA ethernet card. It checked out as "working properly" - but was 3 years old. I removed this and configured the USB port . It is working fine. I would love to know why the ethernet connection failed - but as long as the USB conn. works - this is fine. I don't need to purchase these plug-in cards anymore - at $30-$50 a pop.
Thanks to markp62 for answering my post.

 

Thanks for posting what you did to remedy the situation, though I really did nothing.