I had the same issue when I first got my laptop. First, we need to make sure your switch is on. Most new laptops have a physical switch for the WLAN. It is usually accompanied by a little light that changes color. Make sure this is set to the on position, that is, the little light is not warm colored (red/orange) but cool colored (blue/green). Next, you're going to want to right click the little wireless computers in the bottom right on the task bar and ask for a diagnose and repair. With this option, most lay users can get there problem fixed. What this does is, your computer checks itself for an IP mismatch, reconfiguration, weak signal, or delayed results. In usually less than 10 minutes the wireless fixes itself up, maybe requiring a click or two in between to overcome Vista's new security protections. If these things do not work for you, it might be your router or network that is having the problem. You should consider power cycling your router or contacting your network administrator. Then simply repeat the previous measures after this has occurred. Once all conventional non-expert strategies have been exhausted, you'll want to go to that same taskbar icon and right click again, this time going with network and sharing center. From here, the left bar has a lot of options for modifying your connection settings. At this point you may need to tinker around a little. Setting everything to automatic is usually a good idea because even if it doesn't work at first, Vista's "Diagnose and Repair" option will usually self-correct it. If its in manual, however, Vista is hesitant to change things. Hope that resolves your problem. If not, consider providing more information.

First we are assuming that your network supports wireless? Do you have a router that is wireless support? Also what standard is the wireless in the network? Is it A, B, G, or even N. What is the wireless standard that you purchased with the laptop. These should be checked first before anything else is started. Also wireless devices such as routers can have the wireless service turned off or just running a selected standard such "B". It is then next important that you see the wireless network contection in your taskbar. If it is there you should double click on it to see what networks it can see. It should give a list of available networks in your area. You should then be able to select your wireless network. If you need additional help step information please submit another question.