Any X box experts around?

[BlackWings]

I got given an Xbox from a relative and I can't get the bloody thing to work and it's driving me insane.
I have googled all day and none of it makes any sense to me.
Apparently I should be able to pop a game in and it starts but it doesn't, the Xbox live menu pops up telling me i'm not connected to the internet. I know I'm not nor do I want to be. Do I need to be? It's for my 6 year olds birthday in a few days and I need to have it working. I'd rather not have it connected to the net, it's just for games like sonic and Lego games.
Can anyone help me? Pretty please

What kind of Xbox?
What's the game?

Some games only play if there is an Internet connection. Most however should play without one. Change the game and see if it makes a difference.

Is it the 360? You don't need an internet connection for the games you want to play, but I think you might have to set up an offline profile. There's some details here that may be helpful: www.dummies.com/how-to/content/setting-up-your-xbox-before-playing.html