Wierd Install problems and PCMCIA cards

[fishslayer]

Ok so i am a broke student that has an OLD laptop

Digital Hinote VP
I have 2 cards for it
3com 10/100 LAN+modem card 3ccfem556
el cheapo COMPUSA Dual Speed Network PC Card CardBus 32 bit

Ok here is the deal....

2004 install nothing works, i found that dopcmcia is broken so i pulled out the 1.4 cds. NO biggy really I'll update if i have too. This machine is going to be just net access not my everyday box.

Here is where the fun starts....
3COM card is detected but doesnt power (no link) and gives an IRQ resource in use when i try to force it.

el cheapo compusa is powered but guess what, no network. It gets link, but that is it.

I have tried a number of things and nothing seems to work.

thoughts?