When I start the START.BAT, my computer starts a dial-in to my internetprovider! It seems this occurs when START.BAT is trying to retrieve my hostname. When START.BAT is finished, I type in... 

I remember something that the TCP subsystem on Win98 isn't loaded until you have an active device, that is, you can't run any tcp servers unless you have a network card or a dialed in modem. What if you connect first to your ISP and then run START.BAT? What do you see in the dos box? Do you have a network card laying around, if so try that.

 

Douwe