Installation - Script Does Not Recognize RDC R6040 NIC

Requesting assist.

Attempting to install latest stable version on a small box recently purchased for home server.
System does not recognize my NIC, which I believe is an RDC R6040. See, e.g., Vortex 386SX, ebox-type machine.

I've read around the boards, about various patches and modified settings with which to recompile the kernel. Read, too, I believe, that the latest kernel 2.6.25 includes support, by default.

A couple of problems, however. First, I'm a near-total n00b with all of one successful install under my belt. Recompiling the kernel will be a painstaking process without handholding.

Second is something of a bootstrapping problem. How can I install the various packages required to recompile the kernel, if I have no network access to the package mirrors.

I've found an archive on another mfr's site, that purports to be a driver for this network adapter. There is a .c file and a couple of make files. Assuming I knew how to use gcc, I'm guessing, to compile this for machine, I'd have no idea what to do with whatever resultant file popped out.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jim in VA.