cant connect to wireless internet w/ new Win7 HP laptop

i got a new windows 7, HP compaq laptop, and i went to the mall where there are lots of free wireless internet connections. krispy Kreme was where i was at and they had a connection and they gave me the password to connect. all of the drivers and everything are working and the wireless connectivity is on etc etc. there is no indication of anything on the computer not being ready to connect to the wireless network and the computer says that it detects the connection and everything but when i try to connect it just says it cant and it wont give an error report or any other reason as to what the problem could be. full bars are detected on the signal strength, access is granted from being an unsecured connection cause its free full access or the password is simply given to me, and i checked and rechecked connectivity and setup in the computer. this seems to be happening with windows 7 a lot but most people are wanting to connect to the wireless from the router in their house but im wondering why cant i connect to the free networks at starbucks and krispy kreme and mcdonalds and all of that even though everything seems fine.

a trial version of macafee at the moment. i finally connected it the internet wirelessly at a friends house without having to do anything except manually push the connect button but at MY house i tried to connect to the internet with a wire and it wont do it. i think its something to do with windows 7 and its level of support...

its windows 7 starter too

Power off computer *but keep ethernet plugged in*
Power Off Modem and Router/Switch/Hub (whatever you use) via the power cable.
Let sit for 1 min.

1. plug modem back in - let lights cycle -- 1 min
2. plug router/switch/hub back in - let lights cycle
3. Turn on computer