Sounds like you don't have a name server in your /etc/resolv.conf file check by opening a console and entering vi /etc/resolv.conf there should be at least one line with nameserver 123.456.789.01 ( whatever the number is for your name server from your ISP ). It wouldn't hurt to check /etc/network/interfaces to make sure your settings are right there also. After you make any changes you will have to re-start the network, to make these changes you will have to be root user.

In answer to your questions no it does not matter that you did not start the servers it asked for in the setup they do not have anything to do with access to the internet. The part that matters is the answers you gave after you declined the dhcp option and if you gave the correct settings for your IP address, gateway, nameserver, etc... , this is what allows you to access the internet.