Newbie Wireless Setup Question

> When you turn your laptop on, you should see a notice down in the
> right-hand corner of the screen that says something like "Wireless
> networks available, click here to connect". Do so and you should see
> your wireless network's name (SSID). Click to connect and if it is an
> encrypted network (one hopes so), enter the key and join the network.
> Whoever set up the access point set up the encryption and, if smart,
> wrote the key down. Since the "setup was done for" your friend, ask
> the person who did this setup.

> Hi all,
>
> I've just bought a new Wireless Dell laptop that I wish to connect to an
> Access Point in my house.
>
> I'm using Microsoft Vista, and I know nothing at all about the steps
> involved in making this connection. The AP works fine on my friends laptop,
> but she also knows nothing as the setup was done for her.
>
> Can anyone help me in the step-by-step process.
>
> Thanks very much for your help.
>
> Karen