Direct tv came with apartment. has never worked

Try calibrating the antenna to the nearest satellite. The DirecTV box has in the installation menu instructions on how to do this. You'll need some tools like a socket wrench to unlock and adjust the antenna. Put in the menu your global position or your city and select the transponder that gives better signal. If all satellites are out of signal, move the dish until you receive at least one.
To calibrate the dish from the ceiling or wherever it's installed, put the TV volume up until you hear the short "BOOP" sound from the dish location. When you get signal, the "BOOP" will turn to a continuous "beep" with a higher pitch when higher the signal you're receiving. After getting the best signal, switch transponders to see if there's another with better signal, after that, lock the antenna and try watching a channel.