Trouble connecting to the internet...

My old computer broke down (beyond all repair) a while back and I am now using my laptop. The family just got donated a new pc from my gran who never uses it. I don't know much about computers but I know more than the rest of the family so I have been given the task of setting it all up for everyone. I'm having trouble connecting it to the internet.
It's an old computer, a dell 4550. It's microsoft windows xp.
I honestly have no idea where to start. If anyone can help I would be very grateful.
I'll give more details about the problem if you need them.

softdancomputer

what way do you connect it? wireless, wired?

Sorry, wirelessly. Belkin.

davenewt

Where are you located?

Reason I ask is the simplest and cheapest method for you might be to get a mobile broadband dongle from the likes of O2, Vodafone or 3. This plugs into the USB port (assuming your old computer has a USB port?!) and doesn't need any additional software to give you an internet connection, and is therefore both cheap and relatively painless.

Reliability / speed etc. depends on coverage in your area though - but I'd say this should perhaps be your first port of call. You may be able to test before signing up to a contract - ask the providers.

Some links that may help to begin with -

O2: http://www.o2online.ie/shop/broadband/
Vodafone: http://www.vodafone.ie/mobilebroadband/?ts=1280245666740
Three: http://www.three.ie/products_services/broadband/index.htm

I have 02 mobile broadband, and being close to a mast in Dublin it's pretty good. If you're in the sticks though, you may be better exploring cable or phone-line broadband from the likes of NTL/Chorus or Eircom... although this is generally more expensive, requires additional equipment (a router) and also means having a contract with NTL or Eircom *shudder*

EDIT: reading your reply above leads me to think you already have an internet connection, and just need to connect your PC to it? apologies if confusion has arisen

softdancomputer

Its the PC with the wireless card installed, or you add a dongle to it?
Can you see wireless device in Networks?
Its enabled? Are drivers installed?

I already have wireless internet in the house. It was hooked up to the last computer. I can't seem to figure out how to get it working with this one...

And no, I can't see any providers in the networks list...

softdancomputer

No, in the network devices, can you see the wireless card?

Networks devices? Is this like a physical card?
Sorry, I know very, very little...

Connected to the computer I have a wireless g plus mimo usb network adapter. I have a modem in the other room thats hooked up to the xbox. Should there be something connecting these two together?

softdancomputer

Yes, to access a wireless network, you need to have a wireless device; it could be a wireless dongle(usb adapter), like in the pc, a wireless card for laptop or a build in adapter.
However, you should see in network adapters what you have installed.

mach1982

Google's your friend first result http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wireless.mspx