Wireless internet connection problems

> I am trying to switch over to trisquel 4.5.1, but I am having problems
> with the wireless connection. Network Manager is unable to connect to
> my router. I have tried to enable the wireless connection, but
> nothing happens! When I type "lspci" into the terminal, this is what
> I get. "Intel Corporation Centrino Wireless-N 1000"

Intel cards need nonfree firmware. See
http://www.h-node.com/wifi/catalogue/en/1/1/undef/undef/yes/USB/undef
for some USB cards which work with Trisquel.

> Does this mean the kernel has detected the hardware but not configured
> it properly? How do I configure it so I can switch to trisquel on my
> HP Laptop? thanks

lspci lists PCI devices, they don't need to have a driver to be listed.

lspci shows you what the kernel has recognized, but it doesn't mean that the module has been loaded to pilot it.
Anyway, I agree with Michal, Intel wireless card have not free firmware: have a look to this link made for Debian:

http://wiki.debian.org/iwlagn

If you do have problem in wireless connection why don't you try switching to Comcast because that's my Internet connection right now. Here hope this article help you to decide if you want to switch to a better one. Comcast offers low-cost Internet Essentials for families

On my main desktop, its easier to swap out cards and add USB dongles, but on my laptop, it is more of a pain to put in a "free" wireless card or have a USB dangle hang over the side. The laptop has an Intel iwl3945 card and I just use standard Ubuntu or Linux Mint.

It is more of a hassle to do "free" software when you buy a laptop through a store or help a friend where they bought it through a store with the "non-free" hardware.

In my opinion with the computing trends moving towards laptops, smartphones, and tablets, the possibilities of easily putting in "free" hardware will be harder.

Trisquel 4.5 found my USB dongle immediately so maybe so using a dongle could be a temporary (or permanent measure) to get you online.

My dongle is an earlier and cheaper version of the LogicPro 802.11g High Speed Linux / Ubuntu Wireless Internet USB Adapter Wifi Dongle which is available on Amazon.

My model was actually called the LogicPro 802.11b/g LP-54G but those LogicPro dongles are pretty smart.

I think HP has a BIOS hack that will disallow any other mini PCIe cards. If not you could look into putting a card that works out of the box without firmware.