Please don't think I'm coming down on you or giving you a hard time but wireless is complex and not always intuitive. there are specific things we need to know to be of any help at all. After all you wouldn't say "I bought a red car, parked it in my driveway and now it won't start. what's wrong?"
Here's a good guide of the things to include in a post for wireless problems.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=6183681Knowing these things can tell us a number of things and can often solve the problem before the question is asked.
1) What chipset are dealing with
2) does this chipset work in Linux
3) possible conflicts with software (bugs)
or other hardware (maybe that model just won't work with your specific system)
4) things you might need to do to make the driver work
5) Network settings that didn't get configured correctly
Normally if your wireless adapter is being recognized that's half of the battle.
since wireless is such a crapshoot as to whether it's going to have Linux driver support, it's always a good idea to check compatibility before buying. this page is a good source since it's updated frequently and often can tell you where to check to get your wireless going or what you need to do.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported#By%20Manufacturer After you've followed the guide from the 1st link you will know which chipset your adapter uses.
Which is necessary because this 2nd link references everything by chipset.
Yes, if you are going to use wireless it needs to be enabled.
If you haven't setup the wireless (use Network Manager) that's most likely your problem.
Try this link for help
http://projects.gnome.org/NetworkManager/users/If you have wireless and a Lan cable hooked up at the same time,
Network Manager defaults to the wired connection and ignores wireless.
As for dialup:
The best and easiest to setup is
Gnome-PPPshould be in Synaptic
Again double check to make sure your modem is supported.
most internal modems are
Win modems and a real bear to get working.
Best to use an external modem, except
Creative Modem Blaster which is an external win modem.
A known issue (using a modem) is for ALL
Mozilla applications to open in the
work off line mode
so you need to uncheck... File/work off line in Firefox.