Network Card setup problem

Hello List, I am new to Suse, not new to linux but not an expert. I picked up a couple of ISA Fiber cards to use for a remote computer where cat5 run would be too long. The cards are Allied Telesyn AT-1500FT-PNP, Fiber and Twisted Pair. I checked and Suse V7.1 to V8.1 support these cards, I have installed V8.1 and the system can see the card (/proc/isapnp shows the card) but I cannot get it to come up and function. On boot I get the message " Could not get a valin interface name". Any help is appreciated.. Mike -- From the SuSe Desktop Linux, Because rebooting is for new hardware!