network cards won't connect

[Matt Price]

I've justi nstalled ubuntu on a laptop (IBM thinkpad 600E) -- this is
a lightweight system and will eventuallyrun xfce, but for now I've got
the default ubuntu-desktop up.  Installation went fine exceptthatthe
network simply won't configure. I have tried 2 ethernet cards (an IBM
Etherjet 10/100, and a 3Com 10mbit ).  I've used the latter before
with no problems on another laptop.  I've also tried using a d-link
air-plus DWL-650+ WiFi card .

THe installer recognized the wifi card and the ibm etherjet -- I
didn't try the 3com card atthe time.  But despite the recognition, it
could not establish an internet connection no matter how I tried the
configuration (dynamic, static, whatever).  Interestingly, the dhcp
log on my cheap smc wireless router showed offers made to this machine
when dhcp was attempted during installation, but the installer didn't
seem to recognize the offers.  

The router works fine with 2 desktops running debian, one xp laptop,
and also worked perfectly with my previous laptop (now alas, gone to
the dead-power-source afterlife, RIP).  SO I don't think the problem is
with the router.  Nor do I relly believe thatthe problem is with the
ethernet cards themselves...  I can watch the lights flicker on the
ibm card when the dhcp requests go out, for instance.  

all of which is a long and convoluted way of saying "help".  I really
need the network on this machine, andwithout it e.g. I can't even
download "modconf" to help me understand what modules are being used
by these ethernet devices...  

so, all help deeply appreciated.  thanks!

Matt


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Matt Price	    matt.price at utoronto.ca
History Department, University of Toronto
(416) 978-2094
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