Laptop picks up wireless network but will not connect

wireless network connection or wifi lets you connect to the internet via ethernet modem with wireless capabilities, with your particular laptop it should pick up the signal all you need is the network key to have internet on your laptop

If your Toshiba Satellite notebook computer is equipped with a wireless Internet card, you can connect to a Wi-Fi access point by turning on the wireless switch on the side of the laptop. However, the signal may not always be picked up by your wireless receiver; if that is the case, you will need to check your wireless-network settings and reconfigure the network connections manually.

Open the Network Settings program. Click on the Control Panel in your "Programs" bar and select "Network Settings." This will give you options for modifying how you connect to the Internet. Select "Connect to a Network" or "Show Network Status and Tasks." Both selections will show you whether you are disconnected from the wireless network. Select "Manage Network Connections." This selection is located on the left side of the window; clicking on it will show you whether you are connected to a local area connection or wireless network connection. Engage the wireless connection. Turn your wireless switch to "On," then right-click on the wireless network connection. Select "Connect/Disconnect." Wait for the IP address acquisition. It may take a few minutes for your Toshiba Satellite to pick up the signal and transmit your IP address. When this is complete, you will see the word "Connected" next to the name of your wireless connection, and a series of bars that indicate signal strength. Launch your favorite browser to access the Internet using the wireless connection.

Most Laptops have a wireless switch on the side or in front of the Laptop. Some have a Function key (Fn+F5) to turn on the wireless radio.

If you are connecting to someone's wireless network without theie permission then they most likely decided to secure their wireless network.
You can connect to a free wireless network at locations such as the airport, Macdonalds or Starbucks etc. These are ususllly unsecured wireless networks.

To connectyour computer to a wireless router, you click the Refresh networklist, then Choose your wireless network and then click Connectto your secured Wireless Network, it will asks for a Network Keybefore allowing you to connect into your wireless network. This NetworkKey is either the WEP, or WPA or WPA2 Encryption key that is used toconfigure the Wireless Router. The Passphrase is an alternate way tosetup the Encryption key.
When you are requested for a Network Key, you can just enter the Passphrasethat was used to configure the Encryption key in the wireless router.http://www.fixya.com/support/r5270415-network_password_network_addressFor information on securing your wireless network,configuring the wireless router and configuring the wireless card in thelaptop/computer, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

After it recognize it you have to pick the wireless connection you what to use, go to the bottom corner, of the lap top and open the wireless connections, and pick the right one to use.

Remove the neighbor's network from the preferred network list.
add your own network in the list. If your router is old router then upgrade the firmware of the router. Firmware is the software of the router.
You have connected your laptop to the router, to secure the wireless network. When you connect the laptop to the router, make sure that the wireless network connection will be disabled.
Once you change the wireless settings, enable the wireless connection and connect to your network.

What is the Operating system on the laptop ?
If it is XP then in the bottom right hand corner you will find Wireless network connection ( looks like 1 computer monitor). Use that icon to connect to the wireless network.
If it is windows Vista, then in the bottom right hand corner you will find 2 computer monitor icon. Use that icon to connect to the wireless network.
If it is Windows 98/ME/2000 then use the adapter utility to connect to the wireless network.
For MAC you will see the AIRPORT icon at the top.

Check the wireless settings of the router first . Make sure that yopu have all the wireless settings of the router. If you are not sure about the settings, then open the router set up and check the settings.

Click Here for step by step instructions on how to connect to the wireless network and troubleshooting steps

Your wireless settings may have the SSID Broadcast switched off. If this is the case, your laptop will not 'see' the wireless network. You will need to manually add the wireless connection or turn the SSID Broadcast back on.

Check your Settings in the Control Panel (Network Connections, as well as Hardware (to be sure the device is enabled!)

Also Check Power Settings in the Control Panel.

Go to Dell.com, Download the Drivers and Software (Everything Relative to Networking)
Reinstall them,

Click on Start - Control Panel - then Network Connections - then right click on your Wireless Network connection - click on Properties.
Then in "This connection uses the following items, scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties. Under the General Tab make sure Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected. Click OK.

If you do not see TCP/IP in the Wireless Network Connection then click on the install button and then install the TCP/IP driver.

IF TCP/IP is OK then before you do the following, turn off or disconnect the power to your wireless router, wait for 1 minute before connecting the power again. Wait till the LED lights indicate that it is on line again and the wireless is on then :-

Click on Start - Control Panel - then Network Connections - then right click on your Wireless Network connection - click on View Available Wireless Networks
Do you see your wireless network (ie. your wireless router)?
If so click on your wireless router and then click Connect.

You can also click on Repair to try to reconnect to your wireless router.
Let me know if it works.