First thing you need to do is to install your joystick on your PC. This is relatively straightforward in Windows XP, as it tends to automatically recognise 'plug and play' devices, otherwise you may need to install a 'driver', a bit of software that tells windows how to communicate with the joystick.
In Windows 98, you will probably have to install a 'driver' (check before you buy that it is compatiblewith win98).
once you have done that, you should be able to start the game, go to the 'settings' and check a little box that says 'Enable Joystick'.
Then click 'Game Controllers', which opens a 'wizard' that will show you if the joystick hase been recognised by your PC.
If it has, click 'properties' then 'settings' then 'calibrate' which will take you through the calibration process step-by-step.