Trouble configuring network

Hello, 
I have just installed Suse ver 8.0 onto an older HP Pavilion.  However,
I am having great difficulty getting the network card to work.  When I
ran the automatic configuration, the system recognized the card (Netgear
FA310TX) and I set up all of the proper IP addresses and gateways.
However, I cannot get onto the network.  On boot-up I receive a message
when it is activating the network interface: "etho SIOCSIFFLAGS Device
or Resource Busy"

What can I do to get this network running? Keep in mind that I am a
linux newbie and so might need some detailed coaching.

Thank you

Paul Connor
University of Washington