cannot connect to icloud with previously owned iPAD mini

Greetings! I was given a previously-owned iPAD Mini and I am trying to get this device activated. I spent all day, yesterday, creating my Apple ID to access iCloud from my laptop PC (with Windows XP) using iTunes -- but this did not work.( ie. I could not get any further with my iPAD Mini. ) I am not able to gain access to settings, so I do not know my operating system. My iPad will not let me gain access to my home WiFi, although it "found" it -- identified it, just fine. What do you suggest I do as a work-around?