Is it possible for me to connect my laptop to my TV using an s video lead?

IF your laptop has a TV out capability. If not you will need an external device.

Today I got the s video lead, took my laptop into the store and they gave me the right one for it.
Now at home, all connected up, but cannot find it on the TV, do you have to tune it in? Or do I have to do something with my laptop, or does it just come on automatic? Is there a certain channel it has to be on etc?
I cannot call the store back as they are now shut until Tuesday.

There should be a setting in the video card drivers to enable TV output. You will also need to set your laptop's display resolution to a TV supported one, such as 640x480.

Then you need to select the input source on the TV. It might be labeled, AV1 or AV2 or Input 1, or Aux. etc.

First as I said you need to have TV Out capability for the laptop. Just because you have an S-Video jack does not mean you have that capability.
If you do, you will have to configure the vifeo display to send to the YV and configure your TV to accept the correct input.

HVAC---thankyou it worked.. and thanks also to scott for telling me what to do!