Help im going Bald!

Hi I am currently "windowed up" and want to convert to Linux, I have
installed Mandrake 9.1 on
a HP E-PC40 and the install automatically configured all hardware, it
used the eepro100 driver
For the Ethernet, however although there is a link light there is no
Ethernet access at all.

I have tried DHCP and static however neither yields a result, if set to
dhcp I get what I think is
Similar to the w2k auto config IP (169.254.189.132)?? Coming under
eth0:9

If I set static I get eth0: and the IP I set.

However whatever address I ping on the local LAN the cards IP reports
Unreachable, I can ping 
Loop back and the cards "auto" or static address.

The machine is attached to a Netgear DS108 8 port 10/100 dual speed hub.

I feel it may be a speed auto negotiation problem? 

mii-tool output is eth0 negotiated 100basetx-hd link ok
and I can set it to all other available except FD which is correct with
hub

typing arp just returns to the prompt

I did not get any driver detection message as it was detected and
installed via the mandrake 9.1 install.

Please Help!

As a first exercise in Linux it has been a lengthy but satisfying
experience thus far!

Nothing like something to get the grey matter going!

Cheers

Paul