Don't know whether this would be the same problem you are having but after the Dell contracted tech came out to install a new Motherboard because of problems with the Broadcom controller (he also updated the BIOS from A07 to A09) and he commented he was having trouble finding the HD, but finally did. He didn't actually try connecting to the internet while he was there and after he left I tried and got a message that it couldn't find an IP address. It did list one, but I guess it wasn't working or something. It gave the option to repair which I tried without success. I got a message to contact the system administrator--not very helpful for a home user. Now I'm not using my wireless card--I'm using ethernet to connect to a cable modem, but what they said i needed to do when I called Dell was to reset it by disconnecting the modem from the computer and unplugging them both from power for at least a couple of minutes to let it reset. Then reconnecting and powering up the modem first, and letting it do its thing for a couple of minutes or so and then turning the computer on. That worked--it reset what needed to be reset. So don't know if this would work in your case or not. I actually do know that sometimes turning things off for awhile to let them reset will sometimes cure some computer problems but I hadn't thought of it in this case.=======================================================
Inspiron 5160, 2.8 gHz with hyper threading, WinXP Home SP2, 1 GB RAM, Computer Associates Internet Security 2007, Adaware, CD/RW DVD combo drive 60 GB, 4200, Hitachi warranty replacement HD, newly replaced refurbished motherboard.