I can't connect to an unsecured wireless connection...help!?

I recently moved to a new place and don't have internet yet, so I lugged my giant IBM Thinkpad to a friends place who has wireless. Neither his or his roommate had to use Network key or anything to connect, so its an open and unsecured wireless connection. I know the name of it and everything. My laptop will always pick up avalable networks but for some reason when I really need to, it wont. The name of the network doesn't even show up. Help me, please.