No Wireless Connection

Dell & runs on windows vista-

My laptop got a trojan horse virus so I wiped my whole computer with a cleaning CD my friend Adam gave me. Once my laptop started working again the internet keeps saying that I can't connect to any wireless networks and IDK why. I don't have a home network.....I use any of the random networks floating around. I know that the networks still work because I'm using one right now on my brother's laptop in the spot where my laptop usually is.

At first I thought it was that the virus "ate" my wireless card.....but through careful consideration and looking at files I highly....HIGHLY.....doubt that.

Then I thought it was because network discovery was off.....so I turned it on.

Restarted my computer.

Still NO luck.......and that is where my knowledge of laptops end.

HELP ME.....PLEASE.

PLEASE help me!!! I'm VERY computer illiterate and have A LOT of school work that needs to be done on a laptop with the convenience of my home. Not to mention this thing costs a fortune and I prefer not to spend any more money on professional help and I don't want to throw it out.

Thanks so much,
Brittany

Hi Brittany,
Can you give us the model number of your Dell laptop?
What was the name of the 'cleaning CD' you got from your friend?
What was the procedure used to reinstall Vista?

I don't have a home network.....I use any of the random networks floating around.

This is illegal.

I don't have a home network.....I use any of the random networks floating around.

This is illegal.

Agreed.

Anyways, with regards to the issue, what would be the model of the computer? How did you reinstall/clean vista? It would be better if you can post a little information about your system.

It's actually not illegal.....I live in an apartment complex where they supply shared public internet to everyone from the central office location-----it's part of the benefits of living here....and when I'm out I use WIFI at like McDonald's and such....sorry, should've been more specific.

Anyways, back to the issue at hand------

model number- PP29L

cleaning CD- actually, just remembered I ended up not using it.....I ended up using programs on the computer......I cleaned a lot of stuff....but the only name I remember is disk defragmentation; though there were several others I used. They were all listed together and

reinstalling Vista- friend Adam did it, he's out of town and I am having trouble contacting him....I know it was really quick, but IDK how he did it exactly.

***I hope this is enough information. Thank you:)