3com Etherlink III PCMCIA 3c589c

Hello,
I use this card (BNC part) with Windows XP prof. SP1 on a Compaq
M700. I used this card with an older Laptop running Win98 before.
So everytime I try to start the connection, Windows says that no
cable is connected which actually is connected. At the same place
in the network with the same cable with the same PCMCIA card in
another Laptop running WIN98 it works. So before trying another OS
I'd like to know if there is another way to find a resolution for
this?
What can I try?

Thank you,
Martin