Hi,

I install mandrake 10 last night, and tried to connect to the internet via USB but this didnt work as the system on boot up, hung on searching for New Hardware. so i tried using the NIC to access the internet, as the cable modem is compatible with both USB & RJ-45. i went into the setup, and set up the connection restarted as it recommends loaded through, stops for a min or so in the boot up, at "eth0" it found some ip's which i persume will be the dns as it was something like 255.255.1.3, when i got on i tried starting up mozilla and went to the most common place to test to see if the internet works "google search engine" but nothing there is no internet connection.

is there something that im doing wrong????

I need some more info: post output of:
# ifconfig
# route
# cat /etc/resolv.conf

Ping your nic, ping the gateway. If that works, try traceroute on outside adress, eg
# traceroute 216.109.117.109

Tell me the results!