Re: kernal compile = eth0 go boom

["H. G." <hipphe@sympatico.ca>]

apologies, i sent this before i finished!

hi, i'm pretty new to linux. i've been monitoring this list for over a
month now. i successfully installed woody on my abit bp6 computer (smp @
2 celeron 466) using the bf2.4 kernel.

as many on this list already know, the kernel does not come with smp
support enabled so i have compiled and installed a custom 2.4.18
kernel.the system boots from the kernel. there is one problem. my
ethernet card (eth0) is not picking up an ip from the dhcp server? i've
checked boot messages using 
dmesg | more
and the driver for the ethernet card (via-rhine.c) is loaded with no
reported errors. ifconfig reveals the card has been partially configured
using the proper mac address and irq given in the driver message.
/etc/network/interfaces is configured as follows:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

i still boot from the bf2.4 kernel (vmlinuz.old) and i can access the
network no problem when i load this kernel. the messages given about the
network card from either kernel are identical. i've had a friend who has
the same hardware setup (mobo, ethernet card) have a look at my settings
and he couldn't come up with anything though he thinks it might have
something to do with software i have installed. i do know that i've
installed dhcp-client installed and pump is not. i don't know of any
other packages i should be looking for.

anyone have any suggestions? anymore useful information i should
provide?

thanks

~pAul.