Thinkpad R31, E100, and PCMCIA probs

[Scott Ehrlich <se@panix.com>]

I have been trying for two full days to get an NFS installation of Debian
onto my new work-issued Thinkpad R31 w/built-in Intel E100 NIC to no
avail.

I have a new 3COM/Mhz 10/100 card and an ol' but trusty Xircom IIps card.

With a 2.4.19 kernel monolithically (i.e. no modules) built, with NFS
support compiled in, along with PC Card services, I have learned that the
newer E100 NICs, which this laptop likely has, is not yet supported by the
2.4.19 kernel.  I also have read that the Yenta driver may have PCMCIA IRQ
allocation problems -
http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/linux-laptop/2002-July/000517.html

I have tried the kernel both with the Yenta driver as-is and modified per
the patch.  No luck with PCMCIA, either, with either card.

How do I get Debian on this laptop via E100 or PCMCIA?

Thanks in advance.

Scott