Hey Scooby, your KB problem just sounds like a possible dirt issue.
I've had a similar problems, having to tap on a faulty keys until it worked.
If you continue to work the defective key, i.e., your "Enter" key,
does it sometimes work?
A lot of times this failure occurs when the keyboard has been laying around unprotected for a long period. However, in your case, (a laptop,) it is possible (OK, once upon a time) something may have been spilled on it.
In this case, cleaning the KB contacts may correct the problem.
Not being familiar with your notebook, I can't tell you how to clean under this particular KB but it can be done. Also, if your KB pushes membrane switches instead of mechanical ones, I doubt a cleaning will help at all. In this case find a refurbished KB on line.
By the way, which keys are malfunctioning?
And, do you have a docking station for the lap top?
WIN 98 Install.
This forum has a solution for you regarding installing the OS w/o a CD, that's how I found this forum myself.
http://www.syschat.com/install-windo...py-cd-463.html