LinuxQuestions.org - SBCYahoo+ADSL+Debian!=conection

I've been at this for 2 weeks now trying to work it out on my own with all the available web resources I could find regarding this problem:

I have installed the basic system for Debian Sarge
I set it up to dual boot with my existing Windows 2000 Pro
Each is installed on its own HD.

As you can tell, I have web access, but only through Windows

I have not been able to get Debian configured to use my existing hardware/ISP

I contacted SBC to inquire about the various settings needed but all I got was, "We don't support Linux". I take this to mean they can't give me any support, not that it won't work. So I turn to you, my fellow Linux users.

Here is what I've got:
PII 600MHz
256 RAM
80 GB HD - Windows 2000 Pro
30 GB HD - Linux Sarge
D-Link DFE-500TX (PCI NIC)
Alcatel 1000 ADSL external modem(supplied by what was then pacbell)
The NIC is connected to the modem via ethernet cable and the modem to the filtered plug is the same.

I don't know what other info you folks might need to assist, so just let me know and I'll tell you what I can.

I tried running etherconf, but I don't know if this was the right way to get this set up properly. I ran through all of the menus but was uncertain about some of the settings, such as:

Broadcast Address
Domain Name Server

(SBC couldn't tell me these things???)

I have a static IP address but they said they use DHCP...so that was confusing since when Sarge tried to figure out the connection, it said there was no DHCP...but that could have just been because it couldn't actually connect to anything beyond my modem.

So, any help at this point, even step by step(which would be good for me so I can learn how I got into this mess) would be fantastic.

I have the next 3 days off and I'm not leaving until I get this figured out, even if it means going to a different service provider or changing to some other broadband connection.

Awaiting your knowledgeable responses,

Chris