HI Charlton,
Let me give you a suggestion for the problem # 1.
Deleting the service using oradim will not clear the service details.
Open Regedit and delete it manually.

If the problem still persist when installing, uninatall the Universal Installer and re-install it. I faced the same problem while installing 8i. I did the same. Luckily it worked for me. All this "missing dll " can all be conquered very easily


Q2:
After includfing it in the TNSNAMES.ORA,
run "tnsping servicename". from your command prompt.


C:\>tnsping servicename
TNS Ping Utility for 32-bit Windows: Version 8.1.5.0.0 - Production on 03-JAN-02
12:15:13

(c) Copyright 1997 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

Attempting to contact (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=servername)(PORT=1521))
OK (270 msec)

I think for documentation, you can download it from the Oracle website.

Hope this helps.
All the best.

GD_1976.