getting wireless network adapter error after re-install of vista on xps1530

Can't connect to the internet because of the error.

"This computer does not have a wireless netowkr adapter installed and configured. Install wireless networking hardware and verify that the correct drivers are loaded."

XPS1530 is 2008 vintage and was working properly before the re-install of Vista. Did the reinstall because of a possible malware infection.

After doing a clean install of Vista with the system disk, and also installing the two system utility disks, everything seems normal, except I can't connect to my wireless network.

Under device manager == network adapters, only bluetooth device adapter appears.

I have another computer, so thankfully I can get on the internet to find drivers/a solution, and get them onto the xps1530 via a thumbdrive.

Came to the Dell site, entered my xps1530 service number, and the only download offered was the bios flash, so I downloaded and installed it on the xps1530. No change.