cant connect to the internet with my ethernet cable?

[counterfox3]

hi well i live in university dorms and they have an internet port for my laptop. However when i plug in the ethernet cable on my laptop it doesnt allow me to connect to the internet.

I checked the port and it works on my room mates laptop, as soon as he plugs in in the cable to his laptop the internet connects straight away.

im running windows xp and any tips and help are much appreciated! thanks
it gives us both a local area connection when the cable is plugged in.
on the con menu on the bottom right of screen mine does not come up, but my housemates one does on his laptop
icon* i meant

im using a toshiba tecra a8

 

[Shalika]

Have you installed ethernet card drivers?
Have you setup your internet connection correctly?
Is there any error massages?
please explain......

 

[HarshadP]

your uni must have a instruction leaflet to give to you, maybe in the liabary, they are steps to use to allow the networking to work.