help me - can't get the internet through my network card - inspiron 8100

[asamax01]

xubuntu 8.10 installed on a ext3 partition.
My network card seems not to be active.
Trying to leave win but... how can I?

banano@NB1:~$ lspci | grep -i ethernet
returns:
08:04.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557/8/9/0/1 Ethernet Pro 100 (rev 0

banano@NB1:~$ uname -a
returns:
Linux NB1 2.6.27-7-generic #1 SMP Fri Oct 24 06:42:44 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

is my card running?
is a proper module installed?
no ethernet = no internet = very big trouble

please help me
thx in advance - m.