Can't Get Wireless Internet Connectivity Re-established

We've had a home wireless router for several years.  My wife's one-year old laptop computer (Dell Inspiron 5010) worked fine until this week when it suddenly lost connectivity and I can't get it back on-line.  My laptop still works fine.  I first ensured that the wireless function is on.  I then clicked on the connectivity icon which shows "No connections available".  It also won't show me any available wireless conection options.  Under the "Open Network and Sharing Center" link, I've tried the "Set up a new connection of network" and "Connect to the internet".  Under "How do you want to connect?" it only gives me "Dial-Up" as an option initially and adds "Broadband" when I choose "Show options the computer is not set up to use".  When I choose broadband, and enter my user name and password, I get a message that "The wizard cannot create the connection".  I also went to Control Panel, Internet Properties, Connections, Set-Up, and it takes me back to the same "Connect to the Internet window mentioned above with the same issues.  I also plugged my wife's computer dirrectly into the router and still got no connectivity.  How do I get my wife's computer back on-line?  Thanks.