win98 problem

i am running win 98 and netscape 4.0 as my browser.
i just reloaded OS, netscape, and IE5.
my problem is: I can log on to the internet ok, but once I’m there and I try to surf the net, it gets hung up and i get timed out from the site. i may only go to one site and then I cant even go back to my home page. (Net
scape).
My question is: Is this a software or hardware problem. I have an intel 233mmx processor with 256Mb ram. CD-Rw drive CDrom drive scanner ant printer attached.