Check the if ur network card driver is loaded or not. I think it's not loaded.
1. Type the lsmod command on the console:
root@localhost# lsmod
You should see a module name "pcnet32" loaded. If not, the definitely it's not working at all.
2. Now, to load the driver:
root@localhost# modprobe pcnet32
3. Assign ip to ur network card now.:
root@localhost#ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.1
Ok, now this definitely works if ur kernel is compile with that network card support. Else, u should get the kernel recompiled.