I bet you tried to install Debian Stable, aka Sarge? That is your problem if so. That version of Debian should have been retired 2 months ago, and does nothing but cause newbies problems because it doesn't support any of the hardware in a current computer.
What you should do is install Debian Etch, which is going to become the stable version when Sarge gets retired. You can download the install cd for this version of Debian here:
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/da...86-netinst.iso
It will detect the NIC and allow you to get the rest of the system updated from the internet.
Peace,
JimBass
