Setting up a Wired Internet connection

Hey guys, im running just on linux but i need xp so im installing xp then dual with ubuntu afterwards. But when I install XP how do I setup my modem to it, cause i have an old pc and i installed xp the other day on it, i connected the ethernet cable on it for the first time and it did not recognize my modem, so im guessing i set it up manually by the connection and stuff, how do I do that? (step by step plz ^^) :)

not really the place to ask questions about XP ;)

chances are you need to install the network card drivers in XP to have it work