When you say its not detecting any wireless signals ... what is not detecting - the windows WZC, Wireless Zero Configuration utility, or the wifi card makers utility ?

When I go to Network Connections, it shows the standard ethernet card with a red X through it, and says "No Connection". For the wireless card, is also has a red "X" and says "No Wireless Connections Found." The icon with the red X also shows up in the righthand side of the task bar

I'll try to put it another way. When I click on Properties, and Windows gives me a list of available networks, the list is blank. I can configure a "Preferred network" but there's nothing there to connect to.

Is there a switch on your laptop for activating the wireless card? On my HP, there is a tiny button that activates the wireless and a light goes from red to blue to indicate that it is on.

Do you know if wireless is disabled/enabled in the Router ? Not all, but many do have a check box or bullet to turn on/off wireless.

Many routers have various methods in their configurations to hide the wireless signal ,, the actual wireless connection will not be seen from any computer - Until you put in the matching ssid (and any passkey if preconfigured) into the computers wireless configurations.

I am one of those guys who will try 10,000 things, and yet overlook the obvious. I've been around computers for 24 years, but this is my first laptop. I will be a man and admit that yes, I was neglecting to hit the wireless button on the laptop (blush) HOWEVER...

I still for some reason, can only connect with the security turned off. If I understnad correcty, I go into my router configuration, turn on my WEP, enter the passphrase, and get four key numbers. When my laptop detects the signal, it says the signal is excellent, and says I need to enter the newwork password to connect. I enter one of the four keys, and the window disappears, but it still won't let me connect. Whether I click "Password is provided for me" or not, doesn't seem to matter. So right now, I'm just leaving security off. I assume it's relatively safe, if we're not going to be sending social security and credit card numbers over the laptop. Am I right, or should I dig deeper to fix the problem?

fwiw
WPA is the security most would use. One passphrase of 20 charatures is recommended by most to make it virtually unhackable. That security is to keep others out of your router or off your internet connection.

Many people screw up writing down passphrases on paper and/or retyping it in. Can't connect complaints usually blaming it on other things are frequently solved by whoops, my passphrase was entered wrong.
Copy & Paste passphase is virtually foolproof. But requires a bit of though. Dont push the OK button until you've pasted it onto notepad or something.

WEP is ok, but there are programs Johnny Jr next door might use to gain access in a few minutes. One of those four WEP keys is designated the primary key with a bullet or check box... that checked key you would copy/paste into your computer for the passphrase or key.

You're not going to be automatically given a key in your home. Maybe at work when login & security is handled off a server.

When you do credit cards and other secrets online usually its on a secure web page and those web pages are encryped so mr bad guy & neighbor are not able to see anything except googlygoop.

WPA is more secure than WEP. I have the Netgear router, and there were complete directions given for setting up security. Just follow those, step by step, and it should work. Recently, when my grandson was visiting with his laptop, I just gave him my passphrase to enter on his computer, and he was able to connect immediately.

Last winter in Florida, I was able to use another person's wireless connection for nearly two months because it was unsecured. Now, I was not a "hacker" who would do harm, but there are those who would. BTW, I did this only because the wireless system for subscription was not up and running, and I only stayed online long enough to download and send e-mail.