"Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration" Windows 7?

I got a new laptop for college and there is a connection offered in my dorm to the school's server through a walljack. I'm connected through a simple ethernet cable and yet my computer just doesn't want to accept the fact that internet is there. I've rolled back the drivers, done a system restore and performed the bonjour service through Component Services. Pretty much everything every forum has said to try except for reinstalling Win7 altogether which I really want to avoid. Please help? :D