My gateway laptop is not connecting to wireless internet

"just try following steps that might help -

just reset the adapter settings in wireless device and update the wireless driver and make sure time and date is also correct in computer . also check the wireless password and for more visit gateway http://www.gateway.com/worldwide/ and see if this works for you . let me know if you need anymore help"

I was told locally that this is an endemic problem and can't be repaired. Can a used computer be scavenged for the bad part.?