Newbie has installation problems

[mikem30]

I am installing Debian Sarge from a single CD I downloaded, and I can't seem to get the network to work.
I am using a DSL modem through a Belkin router, which should work with DHCP, but it isn't detected during the boot process. I give it the address of the router, and it talks to the card OK.
When I run ifup eth0 in dhcp mode, it gives me 'No DHCPOFFERS' followed by 'Unable to bring up eth0'. Ping address is OK, but ping network or gateway times out and ping 'google.com' returns 'no host' errors. If I run ifup eth0 in static mode, I get no errors, but I still get the ping problems.
For reference, my /etc/network/interfaces (static model) looks something like this:
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.2.40
netmask 255.255.255.0
network 192.168.2.1
gateway 192.168.2.1
When I try ifconfig eth0, I get a mac address and the correct IP addresses, but it still doesn't work.
Any ideas on what could be wrong or how to troubleshoot this problem?
Same setup in Win XP works fine.

[objuan]

Some times when using static IP's you need to define the DNS
try adding these lines to /etc/network/interface
dns-nameservers DNS Ip Address
dns-search DNS Domain name
restart your network /etc/init.d/network restart
check your /etc/resolve.conf file to make sure this DNS line were added.