Whilst SAAB assumes that you are trying a wireless connection is itindeed a wireless connection?
If it is a wireless connection have you even switched it on? You should find a small symbol somewhere on the laptop case (make/model please) with a small inverted triangle and aerial type symbol. If you have you should see an illuminated LED there.
You may see a similar aerial symbol, in blue, on one of the function keys. If the LED is out press FN and the appropriate Function key - the LED should then light.
Now can your laptop 'see' a wifi connection?
If you cannot see your friends routers get a copy of NetStumbler. When you run this on your laptop it will 'see' all the wireless routers in range. On a small estate last weekend my laptop could 'see' about 12 wifi routers. Netstumbler will name the networks, show whether they are secure or not and also give their signal strength. This will show whether it is secure or not; it will not enable you to bypass his password though. It should also show the type of security be it WEP, WAP WAP2, WAP_PSK etc.
On his computer you may be able to access his router setup. Open Internet Explorer or other syetm, and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar (no
http://www etc) If that works you should then get the router Admin screen. Username is often ADMIN and the password also admin. Enter these and if you get into the router setup program blunder around until you find the security and network key.
It should show the type of security and the network key probably in HEX. Make a copy of that then you can set your laptop wirelss configuration to the same.
At this point refer to the manual as I am running off memory
In answer to your Vista/XP question I think that maes no difference.
Finally you could ring Netgear. As most computer problems are sorted through email and the internet but router problems, by definition, cannot be sorted that way their telephone helplines are usually first rate.
On the NETGEAR machine you may be able to find out the password