If you continue to have problems after configuring DHCP, remove your PCMCIA card, reset the computer and insert it *after* the system boots.
Some motherboards have a PCMCIA reset problem in that the card does not get recognised upon bootup/resets. A capacitor soldered between a pin on Gayle and wherever corrects this. I've got cardpatch installed, but sometimes my system hangs when I have my CF card in the system upon startup. Not always, but often. Never seem to experience hang-ups when my ethernet card is installed though (upon startup).