Windows 98 restart hell

Working on setting up a computer (Windows 98 first edition) for the network. After installing all the necessary protocols under Control Panel-->Network, the computer needs to restart, except that it won't. It hangs at the shut down screen and then needs to be reset. Once it enters Windows again, Client for Microsoft Networks has disappeared from the list of installed network components and the computer doesn't see the network. I have come across this problem several times this week. Is there any way to force the computer to restart so that all network components will function properly? This one has been giving me some real headaches lately...
TIA

It may be the NIC card. You can use another brand NIC card to have a try.