Linux networking problem

We had a power cut today, and now my Internet sharing Linux box isn't bringing up the network correctly (Yes, I know, I should have a UPS...) The first error is when it tries to bring up the "lo" interface... arping: socket: Address family not supported by protocol Error, some other host already uses address 127.0.0.1 The same error occurs if I bring up the interface manually using ifup Also eth0 isn't working, but that seems to be because the modules.dep file is missing. It's running kernal 2.4.8-26mdk (mandrake 8.1) but the modules directory appears to be called 2.4.8-34.1mdk... I tried to symlink the modules directory, but it didn't help... I don't know why the modules directories are screwed up, as I haven't upgraded the kernal... So in conclusion, it was working fine for over 100 days, and now after a forced reboot is all screwed up... =( Any ideas???

After a few hours playing with rescue discs, I managed to fix the problem, but not before making it worse... =)
I'd still like to know what happened though...

Can anyone recommend a cheap UPS that could run 3 machines for around 15 mins (The machines are a P133, Acorn RiscPC SA200, Athlon 1.33Gig)

I've been happy with APC's line of prodcts for a long time.