Wireless Help

Hello all,
Please forgive if this has been asked before, I've looked around a bit and haven't found anything. I am also a complete computer novice, so please bear with me!
My wireless network was working fine until I got a virus and my system crashed. I installed a Linux-based system but with a lack of appropriate computing background (I had a great deal of trouble trying to connect to wireless networks) had to give up - I'm now back to XP but I can't seem information about how to find/download a wireless adapter or card (I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know the difference between the two...)
Any help or possible next steps would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
jitterbuzz

Perhaps this may help you - here are some resources/tools to help identify what you have and how to setup a wireless network:

How to find your system information:
http://www.wikihow.com/Find-out-Your-System-Information

Microsoft system Information tool
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308549

Guides on how to build a home network
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/h...me_Network.htm
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1428
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/w...obuildwlan.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...onnect_now.htm

Installing Network cards and drivers
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.c...id=1427&page=5