HELP PLEASE (network issues)

I have recently moved into my friends' place whilst they are away for January, they have a cable broadband connection but I'm having a nightmare trying to get my windows 7 laptop to connect. Each time I try the network shows as an "Unidentified Network" and does not connect. I have set-up a broadband network using the password and ID that the ISP provided but to no avail. When trying to diagnose I get the message '"Local Area Connection" cannot generate ISP', or something similar - that is not exactly right. Any ideas/suggestions? I  cannot spend the whole of January buying expensive coffee and tea just to use the 'net, plus I may have to draw up a short course for a job and the internet will be absolutely crucial for this. Anyway, thanks.

While the experts are racking their brains my totally inexpert solution to connection problems is to start MSN Messenger.

If it cannot connect, the TroubleShooter for Messenger goes through about 5 steps in trying to solve the problem.

From what I remember Step 1 is to sort out the ISP (if possible).

At the very least Messenger will identify the problem area(s)...

Thanks for your inexpert advice X - I spent a couple of days inexpertly trying everything under the sun but in the end I accepted defeat and the ISP sorted things out after one phone call!Oh Internet - I missed you.

Glad to know you are back in the connected world