I've lost my local wireless connection

I have had a DSL Comtrend Router AR05381U (provided through FairPoint) for over a year. It has provided good service to a Desk Top Computer via the ethernet cable, and for a Dell Laptop via a local wireless connection. About a week ago, the Laptop lost its wireless connection, and Fairpoint suggested that it was probably the Laptop's PCI Card. I just replaced the PCI Card with a new one, and get the same condition. I'm writing this on the Laptop, with it hard wired via the ethernet cable, so that supposedly demonstrates that there's nothing wrong with the DSL; but I am intending to take the Laptop out on a road trip today to visit a few other known WiFi areas (McDonalds and a few Public Libraries to see if the Laptop is receptive to those signals. If that process results in a signal being received, then I have to conclude that the Comtrend Router has ceased producing a viable WiFi signal . . . . and I'll have to take it up with FairPoint. If I don't sense, or get access to a known wireless signal (free or otherwise) I'll have to conclude that my problem is with the Laptop and something beyond the PCI Card. Can anyone suggest an improvement in my plan of action? I've tried using the repair function, and it just says it cannot proceed because no wireless networks were found in range.