There are many versions of Linux and many derivatives of Ubuntu. Many hardware items are automatically supported by Ubuntu with built in drivers, etc, so it may be that you need to do a bit more investigating.
You do not say what the wireless item it is? Is it a Router? If so then you need to set it up manually for best results, which usually means connecting it to your PC with an RJ45 network cable and using a browser to get into its software to set it up! The instructions to do this should be with the router, for manual installation it should state the 'address' to type into the browser address bar to get connected. Only then will you be able to use the wireless capability.
Here's my guide to getting started with Linux it may help with some useful links:
If you want to get away from the clutches of the Microsoft's Windows Operating System(OS), get the best thing since sliced bread was invented! ~ Though I doubt Coeliacs would agree with that!
Get a Linux, BSD or Solaris OS which are pretty much derivatives of the Unix system. Before you do anything do some research into 'Linux', which is probably the best alternative to MS-Windows available; And is mostly free!
Take a look at some of the links I have provided below to find out more about other operating systems. Focus on the Linux ones to start with as these are generally quite user friendly nowadays. You can visit: http://distrowatch.com/ to get started if you just want to go straight into a new OS, but it's worth having a look at some background information (via the links) before you take the leap!
A good Linux OS for newbies to use is one of the 'Ubuntu' based systems such as gOS, which you can download from: http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=05105 or direct from http://www.thinkgos.com/software.php. ~ This is a 'Google' biased version, it has a lot of familiar programs built in which saves you having to find & install any of the everyday software most people use with a desktop PC.
There are lots of Linux versions known as 'Distros' some of which can be use as a live CD/DVD without installation to the hard drive, so you can try them out first. They are usually fairly straight forward to use but some are very technical, use command line instructions or old DOS style installation menus and probably best avoided by a beginner.
The important thing to remember is that the majority of these Distro's, that can be down-loaded directly without unzipping or unpacking, are known as 'ISOs' and they must be burned to CD/DVD disc as an 'ISO Image' not as a file or any other format. ~ Otherwise they just will not work!
If you do not wish to use one of the 'Live' Distro's, it's a good idea to use or buy a spare hard drive, about 80Gb will do, then swap it for your old MS-Windows drive so you don't have to completely loose the use of your PC while you play with & learn about Linux. Remember to format & partition the spare hard drive, then you can load a Linux version onto it and get to know what these excellent operating systems are capable of.
A good program to format/partition a hard drive with is 'Parted Magic' which you can get from: http://www.download.com/Parted-Magic-Liv...
Of course, if you have a spare or unused computer kicking around, or in the loft, you could use that to test the new OS and have the best of both worlds!
Enjoy yourself in knowing that, by using the Linux OS, you are free from the shackles of the MS empire!
Good Luck!
NOTE: Don't forget to back up all your important work, bookmarks and the like before installing any new OS, as you will loose it otherwise!
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