network card woes

I just recently upgraded to high speed internet access via cable. I am running win98se. I started out using usb connection and was having problems after sitting idle for a while. ISP suggested a network card, much more stable. So I purchased a nic fa311. After having severe difficulties with getting card properly loaded the computer will freeze up on start up unless I put cable modem in stby. Once up and running I can reactivate the modem and get on line for a short period before computer locks up, then restarts itself in safe mode. My cpu temp is fine 40-44. I have made several attempts at removing device and reinstalling and uplugging computer in process. Any ideas?

I would switch nics. The netgear fa311 is known to have problems.

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