you can access a root console, search in the menus
btw, I have the same problem. I have a small adsl modem/router (IP:192.168.1.254) and another PC with WINXP (192.168.1.1). I set the Linux's network interface's IP to 192.168.1.3.
From Linux machine I can't ping nothing, but I can see a flashing led when I do the ping! What's the matter?
If it was a firewall problem (ipchains, as someone told me), I'd not be able to see the flashing LED, am I right?

Thnx
Marco