Windows 98 will not load

Sorry in advance for the lengthly message.

I downloaded a new version of Spybot Search and Destroy and deleted what it found. When I rebooted I was asked for Microsoft's Windows 98 product key, which I did not have. I tried to go through Gateway's restoration instructions which led me to re-install Windows. After I did this it brought me back to the screen asking for the product key. I contacted Gateway and they gave me the key but when I entered it and re-booted I get the following message: NAV Auto-Protect - unable to determine the location of the configuration files. (ok) I hit ok and the I get an error message for my Soundblaster driver not able to load. Then I get an Explorer error message stating the program has performed an illegal operation and is shutting down. The computer freezes after this.

Any insight or help will be much appreciated.

 

Does it boot into Safe Mode?