Try to navigate to the Advanced tab of the Properties of the WiFi network adapter: (Right-click on the staircase WiFi icon, go to Network center, right-click on WiFi connection, select Properties, click on Configure (the adapter)) There you find all kind of settings i.e.Wireless mode, they differ from Adapter to Adapter. Select there for all Mode related parameters if possible for Auto or 11g and 11b.
There is also a small change that you are on a 5GHz network and that your laptop does not support it. I think you need mode 11n for that kind of network.
Does this make any difference?
(I am on a non English version of Windows, hence names you see may differ, Sorry for that!)