No internet connection over LAN

[gzlex]

Ok, I have read every thread and tried everything I can think of, now I turn over my nightmare to people hopefully more attuned to 7 than I.
First the facts.
Internet over campus connection (I live in staff accommodation in a school in China) our building has shared wired internet. Our network is fine as people who are on xp and my desktop (win 7) are still receiving internet.
My laptop is running Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit, and until yesterday was fine. All of a sudden a yellow exclamation mark appeared over the LAN icon, and that was that, no internet over LAN.
I have disabled/enabled. Uninstalled/reinstalled. Updated drivers. Even reinstalled windows.
Wifi is fine, but this LAN thing is driving me crazy.
I've probably missed a ton of info, but I can't think straight as this has me really pissed!
Please Seven Forums members, your my only hope!

 

[ericpeacock79]

if it's not working on a fresh install of windows, then sounds like a hardware problem.
try a different network cable
try a new NIC (you can get a USB NIC for super cheap from china on ebay)

 

[gzlex]

I thought hardware too initially, I'm using an Acer 6920g laptop.
However the same problem has also arisen on my friends Asus laptop as well, and that is too much of a coincidence for it to be a hardware issue and is leading me to believe it is Windows 7 related.
If I have to go down to Vista or XP so be it, but I'd rather exhaust all other options first.

 

[gzlex]

A small update.
I now have internet working on my Ethernet, HOWEVER it has placed me on Network 3!
Thus not letting view the other machines on my network!
Any advice on how I can get my laptop back onto the same network, while retaining my connection?!