Laptop: Putting the internet on my laptop?

I have it seems everything to put the internet on my laptop, an IBM thinkpad, referbished with total memory storage its drive is clean...A tech told me I needed service pack 2..is that correct, when I try to install the internet disk, same one used for desk top successfully, doing it by cable. I get a unplugged cable prompt although it is connected through the ehternet port..any clear tips one, two, three kinda I'm literate but not all that savvy..help again thanks..You have been great...Thanks p.s I have the adapter, wireless modem, plus a cable modem..nothing is working for me..And is the disk installed for the wireles modem on the desktop and the adapter is installed on the laptop correct?