You got it working yet or tried anything else?
If you are going to give it to someone then just find a pci network card and see if it works correctly. If you lived in the states, I have 3 of them just sitting around waiting to be used, I would give you one.
Check out Kijiji, always cheap parts on there. Is there any light when you connect the LAN cable? I have always had to install the LAN drivers from the motherboard disc after installing Windows with Asus boards, all other drivers install fine.