Several weeks ago i decided to try linux for the first time. i installed debian on a second hard drive with win2k. everything went fine and i've been using linux for email and web stuff, and win2k for powerpoint, excel, word, etc. however, i have now becoming ambitious and would like to get my linux install to use my soundblaster awe32 (isa), as well as my usb mouse. i found out that those types of things need to be built into the kernel, but that bf24 already has these. so i tried to install bf24 and it went ok, except that i can't get it to find my cheap-ass cnet nic. so - the old idepci kernel recognized my nic and the dhcp server behind it (and i did a complete web install!) but it doesn't do sound or my new usb mouse; but the bf24 kernel won't work with my nic! does anyone have any ideas? for instance, should i try to add modules or something to the idepci kernel or is there some way to get my nic listed in the "ethernet adaptors" section of the bf24 install menu? thanks for listening/reading!

when installing, it will ask you to select modules. Select the one that matches your NIC. Otherwise, once it's installed, run modconf.
Alternatively install with IDEPCI, then apt-get install kernel-image-2.4.23, then run modconf once it's installed and select modules for your NIC sound and mouse etc.