What do I need to do to get this wireless router functioning properly?

It is the key of that particular router. It usually is displayed between [brackets] on a sticker on the router itself.

After doing what bob_ suggested, ask your friend for any network names or passwords he used with it.

There should be a little hole on the router that a needle will fit in. Hold down the button inside the hole for 10 seconds. That should remove all the password shit.

Then visit http://portforward.com/ to see how to get into the admin panel for your router.

Is your computer seeing this link. http://192.168.1.1/ <—that should ask you for a password you can find at the site above for your router once you do a hard reset of the router.

@johnpowell That is the IP for a DSL modem. I believe that you want 10.0.0.1… or at least that is what it is on my router.

The IP address of the router depends on who makes it and what mood they were in. My DSL is 192.x.x.x and my router is 192.x.x.x. But I can also change my router to 10.x.x.x or whatever.

It can also be 192.x.x.254 instead of 1, which seems to be in vogue these days.

Reset with a paperclip or pin as @johnpowell suggests.

The user manual is probably online and will give you everything else you need to know, try the manufacturer’s web site.

@jaytkay I prefer hardcopy manuals so that when I have issues that bork my internet connection, I don’t have to go online to find a solution so that I can get online again ;)

@Blondesjon So was the problem solved, or do you need more ideas?

The problem has indeed been solved. I appreciate all of the help and thanks to each and every one of you for taking the time to help me with my, uh, situation.