Are all network nodes connected to a common, hub or switch or router with switch ports?
Can you print a configuration page from the printer, which should show the ip addressing scheme?
Can you ping the ip address of the printer?
Does the printer have a built in web interface for setup and configuration?
" When I plug in the ethernet cable, I get an 'Unidentified network' 'No network access' message." When you plug the ethernet cable into what, you get an Unidentified Network message?
Have I assumed too much, I was under the impression that you already had a pre-existing viable network that was up and running and that you were now trying to get Windows 7 talking to this network attached printer?
Perhaps take a couple sentences to describe your network configuration, something like ISP provided device, connected by wire to the WAN port of my (pick your manufacturer)router, with an integrated four port switch, connected to my computer by wire, and my laptop by wireless and my printer by wire, etc.