Solution to lost wireless internet connection using Vista

[mikeglosta]

I'll try to be precise: I'm running Vista Home Basic, IE 9. Up to a week ago I was able to connect via wireless usb adapter to a Netgear router. I usually connect via dsl through my Verizon telephone line but because of upcoming changes I've been nurturing myself away from dsl to usb wireless (personal change). When at one time I was able to connect through usb adapter- now I can't. No wireless connection shows up when I hit 'connect to' other than my Verizon connection, not even the other neighborhood wireless connections which are secure - I can't see anything, not even my own netgeat router I was using. There are other devices using the router so I know it works.
**My Belkin usb adapter light won't come on** All the usb ports work. The computer says everything has been installed correctly - but I can't see or connect to wireless.
All drivers are up to date. I've checked everything I can think of, or know how to check. Any ideas? I have my installation cd's with the drivers if that helps - but I don't want to screw up the system any further until I hear other opinions.

Thanks

 

[millwright]

Sounds like the adapter has gone bad.

Dose it show up in device manager?
What happens if you move it to another port?
Dose it show up in device manager then?

 

[millwright]

If it shows in device manager, right click it and choose uninstall.

Restart the computer and windows should find it and install it.
The drivers are still there.

Last I would try it in another computer, as viruses and malware can disable network devices.

 

[mikeglosta]

Sounds like the adapter has gone bad.

Dose it show up in device manager?
What happens if you move it to another port?
Dose it show up in device manager then?

Tried several NEW adapters. It's not an apapter problem.
All ports work fine.
Device manager shows the device.

The problem: the system does not recognize any wireless connections.
I believe the problem is internal computer. Either something has been switched off or broken: I've had microsoft troubleshoot it and they can't figure out what's wrong. I got a refund.

What do you think about my reinstalling vista and drivers?

I'll consider all replies.

 

[millwright]

Dose your computer have firewire 1394?

 

[mikeglosta]

Dose your computer have firewire 1394?

don't know what firewall 1394 is.

it does have firewall. I run security essentials for protection, an excellent program

 

[millwright]

Firewire is like USB but it has networking.
I've seen Firewire screw up the main network card,