can't connect to wireless internet

hi, dunno if this is the right place, just after some help as i've been given a laptop/notebook (not sure what it is) and although it recognises and connects to the wireless, when i try to open up the internet in internet explorer the page won't load and it says "this address in not valid" or if i try in firefox "address not found". wouldn't mind even just wiping the whole thing but have no recovery discs and can't really buy them. it a hp pavilion dv2000 if that means anything?! any help would be great thank you.

 

Maybe the wireless router you are trying to connect to is using WEP or some other security measure.

 

It is probable that your router does not recognise the laptop.

Connect the laptop to the router with an Ethernet cable and start your browser ( you do not need internet for this) type in the address bar at the top "http://192.168.1.1" then follow the instructions for set up.

 

Have you tried it at a hotspot - local library or Starbucks with free internet access?

 

If you do want to wipe/reformat the computer, most HP/Compaq laptops have a recovery partition on the hard drive. So, rather than supplying discs, the recovery software is built in. Go into My Computer, and it should allow you to see a drive called 'Recovery Partition'. To access this just keep smashing F10 during boot up!

Are you trying to connect this to a home network? or a public one?

 

I realise that not all are the same but "http://192.168.1.1" and "http://192.168.0.1" do cover a great deal of routers.

 

All Belkins are 192.168.2.1

 

I'm just tryin to get on the wireless internet at home, don't know the specifications, other computers/laptops connect fine.

I think if its possible I'd rather just "reset" the thing, tried pressin F10 but could not see an option regarding a partition or anything that looked relevant.

Thanks for the help.