liveCD problems

I am trying to install Gentoo on a Fujitsu Lifebook E-6575, which has previously run Debian woody quite well. I cannot get the kernel to properly use my onboard network card, which should work with the stock eepro100 driver from the 2.4.18 kernel series. I am not sure whether it is a kernel config issue or something related to updates to the driver in the newer/patched kernel on the liveCD, but the kernel will recognize + configure eth0, but will never manage to generate a link light. If I reboot back into woody/2.4.18/eepro100 I get a nice link light and pings etc. What to do? My initial thought is to recompile a kernel that I know works and create my own custom boot iso, but that may be over kill. Anyone with something better?

Problem 2: Booting several desktops with the LiveCD doesnt work as the BusID in XFConfig is never correctly configured - appears to be statically set to PCI:1:0:0 . The X server errors tipped me to the problem, and quite simply cat /proc/pci shows what it should be. Wondering if this was an oversight in the x-setup or something that my computers are just messing up.

Thanks
Dana Powers