can't ping the internet

[Rodney Davis]

I need help with configuring my linux box's network configuration.  I can
ping localhost and the router but I cannot ping any machines outside the
network.  ifconfig shows all of the right addresses and I have looked at
/etc/hosts and /etc/networks and they appear to be the same as other
machines on this network. When I use the netstat command nothing shows
"connected". Can anyone point me in the right direction for resolving this
dilemma?

Thanks,

rodney

BTW, dist.: Mandrake 7.2