NIC driver?

[DoGG]

Can the wrong driver for a network card stop communication between pcs even if the network card seems to function properly in both machines?The first machine is an IBM Thinkpad with a Megahertz 10 base T thats pings ok when I assign an IP
address.The other is an external Linksys usb 10/100 which is my primary machine
and I know works well.When I try a patch cable or a hub they wont talk.Also I tried hooking the laptop to my cable connection after copying my settings from the primary machine and it wont pick up the connection with all nic lights showing green.Is the network card in the laptop pooched even though I can ping the card?Someone was saying these PC cards should have 8 pins and it has 6 but looks correct according to a diagram I found on the web.Green light on the card means physical connection is ok correct?I'm running XP on primary machine and
win 98 on the laptop,I'm thinking they should still be able to ping each other though.Win 98 picked up the card in the laptop and seems ok.Should I try another driver?Any thoughts and help much appreciated.

DoGG

[Confused]

Ethernet uses RJ45, which is 8 pins. Connection uses pins 1, 2, 3 and 6 of the 8 pins. I don't know much about laptops, but in an earlier thread I was involved in it was pointed out that some PCMCIA cards use a dongle cable. I gather that a dongle cable converts the RJ45 1, 2, 3 and 6 to a RJ11 2, 3, 4 and 5. I'm just guessing on that.
Chas