Iphone 3gs passcode and recovery issues

Picked up Iphone 3gs #A1303 at garage sale, passcoded so i try to put in recovery mode in itunes and i get a message that states can not connect to so an so's ipod cause i need to put a passcode in to use in itunes. Can this be saved am i missing something or is this an icloud deal. Help please any feedback or comments would be appreciated,

Also the screen has almost no brightness can't see anything does this have any significance or just another issue.

I thank all of you for time and help.