"No wireless networks" sounds like the WiFi in the laptop is dead or switched off. Is there a function to turn off the onboard WiFi? A bit obvious, but ... been there, done that
If you co to Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager - View: Devices by Connection
and then chase down the + signs, can you find a wireless network device, and what does it say under "properties" or "drivers"?
Otherwise, look in Control Panel - Network Connections. What devices appear? Where it says something like "High Speed Internet", double-click each device, then look at "Support" and see if it says anything useful. You may even see an IP address...
Do you have a separate Wireless device you can plug in - either into a PCMCIA slot if you have one, or otherwise a USB?