getting connected

[o2bnocn]

I recently bought a used laptop and I can't get it connected to the internet. I don't know anything about networking so it might be something really simple I am doing wrong.

I know the computer is a dell. I have a wireless LAN adapter. When I turn the computer in it has a computer icon on the bottom right of the screen which has a red X on it. When I put the wireless LAN adapter thing inside of the computer there is another icon that comes on and it acts like there is internet connection just for a second. That computer icon doesn't have a X on it, when I put my mouse over it, it says there is no connection (i think sometimes it might say limited).

Both computers are windows. The computer I am on right now is a desktop. I have DSL through verizon. So there is a modem that I use to get connected to the internet on this computer. The laptop is Dell.

I do have a wireless b broadband router (linksys) that I bought a long time ago and never used it. Possibly I need to use something like that?

When I first got the laptop and I put that wireless card thing inside of it, a screen popped up asking me which connection to connect to and I exited off of it. I haven't seen that screen ever since.

Could someone help me? I have no idea how to get connected to the internet with the laptop that I have.

Thank you.

 

[TerryNet]

Better pull out that wireless router and spend some time reading the user manual. If you don't have it on CD you should be able to get it from Linksys's web site.

Does the laptop also have an integrated wireless adapter? What devices show under Network Adapters in Device Manager, and are there any unknown devices or warning or error flags?