My dog loves being outside, but keeps bringing dirt inside.
Seriously, how about a little more information, eh? Make/model of laptop as well as any changes you made to its basic configuration when you bought it.
Do you have an internet connection where you will be using the laptop, or will you be stealing . . . er, using someone else's? In either case, what modem/router is being used?
Have you tried using the included wireless connection wizard?