When I try to access the MS-Dos prompt program, I get an error message that states "A device attached to the system is not functioning." I also cannot exit to MS-Dos from Windows from the start menu. The only way that I have managed to enter dos mode so far is to start with the emergency Windows95 start-up floppy disk. All .pif files do not seem to work. How do I get the prompt back?
In a related mess, I have just found out the hard way that it is not a good idea to install Winsockets2 for Windows95 unless it is really necessary. Since I have installed it, in addition to some minor conflicts with some of my previosly installed programs, I cannot access web sites, even though I am able to connect to AOL and read my e-mail and newsgroups. I cannot run the uninstalling batch file for the sockets because the troubles with my dos mode, so I am really stuck here.
I have:
MS-Dos 7.1
Windows95 (osr2)
200 MHz Pentium with MMX


Any information will be greatly appreciated, Thanks!