Are you sure you reinstalled windows? lol
i mean, there are 2 ways to reinstall windows and im sure you have, BUT..
the first way is an upgrade, when you put the disk in the drive and run the install through windows. This way still preserves most of your settings , program files, and stuff in windows. It just upgrades some system components.

Way 2 fully Installs everything, system components, program files, user settings, Everything.

Im not sure if way 1 will reinstall components for internet explorer/IE Settings. I thought it might. But you shouldnt of had that problem if you Installed Full though.

If you have not done a Full install, then restart windows, pop in the cd and install.
Or run the disk through windows but make sure you dont pick the option to Upgrade.
Actually, in windows 98, i think you can only upgrade when running the software in windows. I forget.

If you do a full install and still get the problem im

Let us know how it goes.