[Fresh Win98SE install needs fixes. Where to start?]

Thank you very much.

I downloaded all of the files. I got to step three and Windows Update started working. I downloaded 25 critical updates and some shutdown fixes. Could I already be about where I was before my hard drive crashed? (Based on what Microsoft is offering, I mean. Obviously, I don't expect you to know to the contents of my former hard drive. )

I'm wondering if my goal was naive. I was worried about replacing Microsoft's work when the local shop I took my computer to said I wouldn't be able to do it. The option to provide further stability didn't even cross my mind. It seems like I was looking for a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

If I attempt to add more stability with the unofficial updates, will my installation of the official updates screw me up?

[Fresh Win98SE install needs fixes. Where to start?]

I read the rules, but I'm not exactly sure where to place this so please forgive me if I posted in the wrong forum.

My hard drive crashed and, being unable to afford a more modern computer, I bought a new hard drive and am struggling to get Windows 98SE running like it used to. I've been browsing the various updates available here for the past few hours, but I have no idea where to start. I do know that I'm just looking for bug fixes rather than any sort of customization. However, other than obviously not being ready for things that require IE6 yet, I don't understand what order I should be going in. I would appreciate some help.

Language: English

What I have now:

Windows 98SE

Internet Explorer 5.00.2614.3500

What I lost:

Internet Explorer 6.0

Every official critical update up until Microsoft's update stated it would no longer support Windows 98.

Windows Media Player 9 (10?)... probably the least of my worries