after vm boot and load some drivers, linxu will show 'Press 'I' to enter interactive startup.' then press I. then choose y or n, one by one.
if u choose dhcp, do u know whether there is dhcp sever in u lan? in rh, run /usr/sbin/netconfig to change to static address.
i think u are installing linux on a laptop. that is more difficult than on a pc. so be a little more patient. hehe. go http://www.linux-laptop.net/ to see if u laptop on that list. u can gain some from others experience.
good luck.