Will not connect to Internet and cannot make... (by 2 users)

I bought 2 laptops on ebay w/o the mini pcmcia cards, I then bought the mini pcmcia cards and installed. On one computer no problem all the connections got made and I am up and running. But on the other computer, I have tried everyting to no avail. I have even reloaded all the system drivers individuall from the dell website. It sees the wireless networks available and my home wireless network is a linksys that shows "excellent" but when I go to internet explorer, it justs says work offline??? I went tools and settings and create internet connection but still nothing?? Please help.