Studio XPS 8000 desktop wifi problem - Windows 7

I had always used my desktop with a wired connection but I recently moved and now I need wireless.  And its not working.  Some history:

- Before I moved, I tried out wiireless at my old location with my home wifi and it was perfect.  Easily connected and solid.   Now I am at the new location where there is no cable jack where the desktop is.  I also ran into serious (6-week) problems getting Comcast internet installed so I had NOTHING for awhile.  ouch!

- I got a Verizon mobile hotspot for awhile to tide me over.  My laptop (Vista) was happy with it but my desktop (W7 Ultimate 64bit) was not.  Very touchy.  

- So then my brand new neighbor graciously offered to share her wifi until I got internet installed.  (they are attached condos, so proximity is not a big deal). 

- Initially I saw many neighborhood access points on the available list, but after I connected to hers, all those access points disappeared.  Not that I cared... just noting it.   Actually she broadcasts two SSIDs and I saw them both.  And I saw her printer.  That's it.

- Finally, I got internet installed here. My access point from my router stayed the same settings as old house. Didn't touch any settings.  It is WPA2-AES. I  connected my Android phone, Kindle Fire, Canon Printer, Vista HP Laptop easily to it.  But the desktop. nope.  I could not see my network -- same as not seeing any other neighborhood access points.  On my Vista laptop, I see dozens.   

- Tried tons of stuff but still scratching head.  I disconnected hers.  Refresh the connection list.  Reset everything a gazillion times.  Read millions of articles.  Did Windows Update. Got new driver (I think was same as old).  Uninstalled and reinstalled again.  Uninstalled AVG 2013.  Checked every W* service and Dell* service and all seems in order.  No errors in event logs of interest except I noticed that WLAN-AutoConfig starts and stops a lot. Could be normal; also looks like ethernet adapter looking for address at times.   I also looked at all the advanced properties of network card.  Generally matches defaults.  THe only place I see my SSID is in Manage Wireless Networks.  I moved it to the top but did not help.  One or two times mine did show up in the the Internet Connection list but it had 0 signal.  I have tried to add it manually, but it knows there is another network by that name.

I have a feeling the fix is something simple and obvious that is alluding me.  Help Please!!

I was thinking of just purchasing a new USB WIreless Adapter and trying that, but I have a sneaky feeling it is some Windows 7 configuration thing.

The network adapter is:  Dell Wireless 1505 Draft 802.11n WLAN Mini-Card.

The router is fairly new with new firmware:   Netgear WNDR800 2.4Ghz b/g/n and 5Ghz a/n.   WPA2-PSK[AES] 

I could try lesser security but shouldn't have to.  All my other devices would have to reconnect (pita).   Besides, this EXACT same hardware and settings worked fine before I moved.   That's the scratching head part!!!

Sorry so long.... trying to be complete