Can Not see COM or LPT1 ports in WIN98

In windows 98 printing to a local HP Laserjet locked up the PC and now
I can not see either com ports or LPT1 in the device manager. Can not print or reinstall print drivers because LPT1 does not exist. Find new hardware does not find anything. Add LPT1 will add it under device manager, but it will show it doesn’t work. The modem on COM1 Works!? Reinstalled win98, same situation. Regclean, windows update, scandisk and antivirus scan, and no difference. Hardware is 2yr old Compaq deskproEP. I don’t want to wipe the PC because it has a ton of customized programs. Any one know of a fix?