If you started patching to live even for a second, you need to uninstall, delete your EQ directory and install it again from the CDs. Then, you probably want to try this:
http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=28190
If you are just wanting to play, all you need is the client and you don't have to setup any server stuff. You can play on any of the public servers. But, if you want to run your own server, the link above should make the setup considerably easier.
To setup your client to play on public servers, just follow the playguide here:
http://www.eqemulator.net/wiki/wikka...akka=PlayGuide