Cant get search engines to work on laptop, can only access webistes by typing in

Hello,

This problem is driving me mad. I am using my laptop through a wireless connection. It is connected perfectly and when I click on internet explorer my home page comes up. I can only access websites if I know and type the address in the address window. If I search through a search engine I cant get anything not even any choices. I have tried different search engines but they are all the same. Please please help me. Nikki