first make sure u have compiled your kernel with support of your hardware. then u may try to load ethernet and sound card driver by "modprobe" command. i didnt try modprobe command for ethernet card but it certainly works for soundcards
like this:
#modprobe soundcard-driver-name
#modprobe networkcard-driver-name
u should know the names of your net and sound driver.. u may check it in /lib/modules/2.6.3/kernel/drivers/net and /lib/modules/2.6.3/kernel/drivers/sound
if it works then u can edit "/etc/modules.conf" and "/etc/modprobe.conf"
if your vga card is nvdia based u may download drivers for 2.6 kernel at
www.nvidia.com
u may edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 to configure network for eth0 card.
add or change this lines.. your eth0 card will search ip from dhcp.
DEVICE=eth0
BOOTPROTO=dhcp
ONBOOT=yes
u may use "ifup" and "ifdown" command.. its shorter then ifconfig

like this
ifup eth0
ifdown eth0