Intermittent network disconnects on new 2.6.8 kernel Debian install

I just compiled and installed 2.6.8 on my new laptop with internal
network card.

My connection to the network is intermittent.

I bring up firefox and every other hid results in "The document
contains to data". I have to select the link again to bring up the
document. Sometimes the images don't load first time around. A
referesh results in images fully loading.


When I am downloading something (e.g. using wget), it does not
disconnect. It seems only when negotiating with the other end where it
sporadicaly fails.


I am a newbie and don't know how to properly troubleshoot this. I dont
see anything using "dmesg" that is alarming or network related error
message.

This laptop has wireless as well but I haven't loaded the driver for
it. I use the internal network card and connect to the network with a
cable.



Pinging a host also displays the same behaviour. I ping yahoo.com 3
times before it starts sending packets and it doesn't disconnect
afterwards.


lpt-korosh:/lib/modules/2.6.8k1# ping www.yahoo.com
connect: Resource temporarily unavailable
lpt-korosh:/lib/modules/2.6.8k1# ping www.yahoo.com
connect: Resource temporarily unavailable
lpt-korosh:/lib/modules/2.6.8k1# ping www.yahoo.com
connect: Resource temporarily unavailable
lpt-korosh:/lib/modules/2.6.8k1# ping www.yahoo.com
PING www.yahoo.akadns.net (216.109.118.70) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from p7.www.dcn.yahoo.com (216.109.118.70): icmp_seq=1
ttl=50time=13.3 ms
>From 192.78.139.7: icmp_seq=2 Redirect Network(New nexthop:
192.78.139.41)
64 bytes from p7.www.dcn.yahoo.com (216.109.118.70): icmp_seq=2
ttl=50time=13.3 ms



could someone tell me what is going on or how to troubleshoot this ?

am I using the wrong driver for the internal network card ? I don't
have the hardware specs for this laptop.

thanks
K.