[ltp] eth0 (pcmcia) not found under debian sarge kernel recompile

[peter nol]

Hi.
I've recompiled my debian sarge kernel for my thinkad 600 to enable mwave 
support (didn't get it to work yet, another story)
Now my eth0 pcmcia card is not recognized.
I get the error 

SIOCSIFADDR: No such device
eth0: unknown interface: No such device
 SIOCSIFNETMASK: No such device
 eth0: unknown interface: No such device

I have the cardctl utilities installed and edited the pcmcia config files in 
the card gets identified successfully now and worked ok before the recompile.
i get full product info when i enter "cardctl ident 1"
I get the beeps when i insert the card in and out (supposedly the pcmcia is 
working swell)
I didn't change any config files. 

i've read the PCMCIA howto and did everything accordingly.
I've searched the web, haven't been successfull so far.

Thanks For your help.