Internet Explorer

I have a Win98SE PC with a network connection to another PC and a cable modem connection to the internet on the other PC. The internet and network connection was working fine until someone uninstalled MSN from this PC. Now IE will not work and neither will Outlook Express, message says “can’t find server”. I have tried reinstalling MSN, but it will not connect to the internet to finish installing. I have looked at all the LAN settings and don’t see anything wrong. Can anyone point me in the right direction where I need to go to fix this problem.