This process is tested with Ubuntu 10.04.3 LTS 64-bit.
(Sandy Bridge,  Intel i5-2410M processor, Intel HD 3000 graphic, Intel 82579LM eth card, Intel Advanced-N 6250 wifi card)

1. Download latest ISO at http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

2. Download latest Intel e1000e driver at http://downloadcenter.intel.com/ and save downloaded file to USB drive.

3. Start your laptop and choose live session (“Try Ubuntu“).

You’ll notice that there is no any kind of network connection at the moment.
Mount your USB drive and go to the folder where your Intel e1000e driver is located.
Untar/unzip archive:

tar zxf e1000e-x.x.x.tar.gz

Change to the driver src directory:

cd e1000e-x.x.x/src/

Compile the driver module:

sudo make install

Load the module using either the insmod or modprobe command:

sudo modprobe e1000e

At this point your network adapter should start working. Detailed information about installing the driver can be found on http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15817/eng/README.txt

4. Now when you are able to connect to Internet you can install Ubuntu.

5. After restarting a computer, you have to repeat procedure for installing network card. (step 3)

6. Now you have to add next ppa’s:

apt-add-repository ppa:kernel-ppa/ppa
apt-add-repository ppa:glasen/intel-driver
apt-add-repository ppa:f-hackenberger/x220-intel-mesa
apt-get update

*If ppa:kernel-ppa/ppa doesnt work for you, you can try ppa:canonical-kernel-team/ppa

7. Install latest available backport kernel:

sudo apt-get install -y linux-image-generic-lts-backport-oneiric linux-headers-generic-lts-backport-oneiric

 

8. Update your packages:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -y

 

9. Restart your computer.