New Computer - New Problems with Internet Connection...

With my old comp down with what appears to be a failed motherboard, I am currently using a new E-machines T3304 - AMD Sempron 3300+ processor - 736MB RAM - 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN that uses an NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller. Running Knoppix 4.0.2 - it boots up fine but no internet connection detected. Connection is thru a wired router set up for auto DHCP. Suspect I'm missing a driver or the like. Any ideas on what to try? Since Windows works with no problem I know the connection is good and could download a driver to a USB key to try if I knew what/where/how.