Help needed...GLP computer gurus if would be so kind.

Most likely your WEP key not set to the wireless router's WEP key? or specifying the incorrect encryption method (WPA/TKIP/AES)?

does the laptop detect the network? if not, the wireless card might be switched off.

Yup, you probably need your son's wireless network password in order to connect to his router.

For WEP:

When it starts to "Acquiring Network Address," click the close button. Then right click on the network connection and select Repair.

It will disable, re-enable, reconnect, and then attempt to acquire an address again -- this time successfully.

For WPA-PSK and RADIUS:

Go into Device Manager and remove the network device, then have Device Manager scan for new hardware. Set up the re-installed network device as required.

Thanks guys...will try it all :)

I remember fixing it without using pw and username. Will let you know how it goes.

That's not good. If you didn't need a pw, your network security is down.
Anybody could get on your network. launch a cyber attack from it. Surf illegal subject matter. Pretend to be you. Frame you.

WAP your network.

I will mention that to son..thanks.

Not necessarily. Sometimes you can just push the button on the wifi router after you initiate the connection with the other computer. But first of all you need to determine if your computer can "see" the router. If you can't it's one problem, if you can it's another kind of problem. So that is step one.

might be faulty wifi drivers, might need to press that wifi on button too.