After an in place reinstall of Windows 98 (on top of corrupted printers problem), the computer does not require a password and does not log into the network until you click - start - Log Off. Then you get the network login and everything is fine. Deleted all *.pwl files. Checked settings - Network Client is preferred login - tried changing and changing back. Tried tweakui setting and removing auto- log on. Created a user in control panel. Nothing works, except logging off and back on????

Sorry to say I am not in front of a Win98 machine right now, so this is mainly from memory.

But, in Contorl Panel, i believe there is a "Passwords" icon?

Double click it, and on the User Profiles tab, change the option from

"All users of this computer use the same preferences and desktop settings"

to the option below it:

"Users can customize their preferences and desktop settings. Windows switches to you personal settings when you log on."

Notice the log on bit at the end, that should sort it (hopefully).

Yes, that is a good suggestion, I did not mention that I tried it also. Thanks for the idea though!!

I am out of ideas! The only reference I now have to Win98 is a huge book i have on the very similar Windows ME. Uunfortuately, this doesn't seem to include any troubleshooting ideas for your dilema.
If all else fails I use my good old remedy: format and re-install, making sure that every stage of installing software and creating my settings is performed in order, verifying them as I go, finding anything causing issues.