Joystick/DirectX problem

I'm currently experiencing a huge joystick problem with Win 98SE. I used to have a steering wheel plugged into my soundcard gameport and it worked properly. I wanted to use my Microsoft Sidewinder joystick with a new game, but I noticed after I installed the software for it that the joystick icon in the control panel has disappeared. Now I can't use anything! I ran the DirectX8 diagnostics and it said that I was missing a file called joy.cpl. I've re-installed DirectX8 twice now, but it won't add the file I need. Device Manager said that the gameport was working properly. I think the problem started to occur right after I disconnected the wheel. I desperately need help! Thanks for reading,