Multiple times. Its looking more and more like the laptop just doesn’t like my old router. Like I said the netbook, which was also Win7, talked to the router OK.
three things to try.
1. temporarily turn wifi security off (none) at the wifi access point/router. See if it it is the security type that your PC is not compatible with. When you were able to connect at a different location what was that security type?
2. manually assign a free IP address on your router network, and manually assign your router’s address as the gateway, and manually give a dns of 8.8.8.8. See if your PC is having trouble with dynamic IP settings.
3. purchase an external USB wifi adapter, they are inexpensive see if that works.
It could be a bad WiFi card on the laptop.
Actually - on the laptop try unplugging the laptop and removing the battery for a few seconds.
There are some firewall settings that would block your access to any WiFi not previously approved, but I image you have a fresh Windows install, so this shouldn’t be an issues