Win98 can't locate network adapter

After reinstalling Win 98, my laptop can not locate a network adapter. I'm a total novice, so please help. My ISP can't help. Circuit City says I need a new computer.

 

what kind of laptop is it?

 

find the "my computer" icon on your desktop and right click it. under properties look at the device manager tab. Are there any question marks or exclamtion points next to your devices? If so then windows has found a hardware device that it doesnt have drivers for. This may be your network adapter, in which case you'll have to install the drivers manually, wich you can do by downloading then from the manufacturer of your network interface card.