problems with rtl8139 on 2.4.18

Hi,

I have a redhat 8.0 (kernel 2.4.18) running on my notebook (Medion Cybercom
CC9625) with the Realtek 8139 card. The driver (8139too.o) is sitting in the
system, redhat hardware check responded: "full support" for this card.

Nevertheless, I can't activate my network. I red about, that there are
settings in the bios, where I can change the OS running on the machine from
"Win NT" to "others". Unfortunately, I don't have this option in my bios
(perhaps because of the fact, that this machine is considering itself as
"designed for windows xp"). I guess, linux can't get the right IRQ, or the
IRQ is hidden to linux because of the bios settings. But in fact, I don't
have any real idea what the problem is. ;-)

Is there any way to use the card on linux?

Thanks for help,
Sebastian