Hi
I don't know what else to suggest, the fact that it doesn't see the physical connection means that it's not just an issue with the wireless connection software etc.
It should see the physical connection just by plugging it in.
If it's not a hardware problem you can probably resolve it by backing up all of you data and reinstalling from scratch.
But if it's a hardware thing then it's time for the computer shop.
Fortunately I have a really good computer repair place that doesn't charge an arm and a leg, about 30 miles from where I live.
As I said earlier getting a internet connection is one thing that Windows is really good at.
It's completely automatic and it gets done before you computer boots for the first time.
The only thing I can think to try is, if you didn't already done it, plug in the network cable, uninstall you network adapter again in Device Manager, and reboot and see if Windows will detect the plugged in cable, install the adapter and configure it.
If that doesn't work I'd have to think that there is either something fundamentally wrong in your Windows install, or the network connection is physically broken. I have had this happen, a power surge took out the network connection on my last computer.
Everything else was OK but I had to put in a network card to get it repaired because the one on the mother board was dead.
So I guess the only thing that I can think of is a complete reinstall, or find someone who can physically test you mother board.
Mike