Dell wireless adapter doesn't recieve

I have a dell wireless adapter 1180 on my remote dell desktop running
xp transmitting to a 1184 dell wireless router.The host computer
running xp, hard wired connects fine, the remote says it is connected
and signal strength is excellent but does not show any packets being
recieved.It does not recognize the network and was working fine for
over a year then started losing the connection intermittently the past
month.Now it won't connect.I have checked all my internet settings and
all my wireless settings and they seem fine.I have run the network
wizard twice checked drivers and have done everything I can think of at
least twice.Is it possible the adapter quit recieving?The usb cable
works with all other devices and I have checked the device manager
which says this device is working properly.I had it set up for a static
IP address and when I switch to automatic it cannot aquire.All other
devices,print server and computer connected by ethernet to router work
fine.I am considering replacing system with a netgear pci wireless card
and router and this will just speed up the process if the usb adapter
went south.Any info would be appreciated.Thanks!