Ethernet Adapter Icon Missing

Whenever I plug in an ethernet cord into the integrated ethernet port in my laptop, I do not get a connection and the "Local Area Connection" icon doesn't show up in the Network and Sharing Center or the Device Manager. When I do plug it in, the "Local Area Connection" icon shows up for a second saying it's unplugged and disappears. I have tried different ethernet cables as well as an ethernet adapter (which does show up in the Network and Sharing Center, but I still don't get a connection).

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron N2010, I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, and my ethernet port "RealTek PCIe GBE Family Controller" if that helps.

Any help would be appreciated.