Network configuration works on one version of Knoppix but not another
 

I just bought a very nice 64-bit laptop (Gateway 7422GX, with a Via-Rhine II ethernet card) and would like to install an OS that can take advantage of its capabilities. Unfortunately, the only version of Linux I've found that can access the network (cable modem) is a 32-bit German version of Knoppix dated 08 December . (Windows XP and 98 have no problem with this). The 64-bit version does not work. The English version from the same time does not work. The tools from the 32-bit version running on the 64-bit version do not work. The Gentoo LiveCD does not work. What is going on and how do I fix it?

--Lord Nimula

What do you mean that it does not work. It can be a driver related problem, so try in step-by-step.

Check your kernel version. Check if it supports Via-Rhine network card. If you use some liveCD, check that there is a kernel module loaded for your card (lsmod, there should be via-rhine module loaded). Check your PCI devices list (/proc/pci, lspci). If your network card is configured (ifconfig), can it get any IP address from a DHCP server?
There are many layers of networking and you did not give any clues fo us where to start. Do not give up so easily :-)
Examine boot time logs with dmesg, etc, etc...

And there is another thing if everything stuck: http://www.scyld.com/driver_updates.html