hi rick, i was just in the process of updating this post as i have just found the solution to the problem. the problem was that the wireless adapter was not installed on the laptop so the updates that relate to the adapters couldn't update as there was nothing to update. so i found a drivers download page on the dell website so i downloaded the wireless wlan mini-card driver for my laptop and accessed the folder where the files unzipped and installed all the applications in that folder and then the problem was resolved. thanks for the reply though but if the problem happens again ill repost.  
i have recently had problems using my laptop for the internet so i did a number of troubleshooters and was told to do a factory reset through dell data safe local backup. i completed the reset and since i have not been able to complete some updates i keep getting the following error codes, 9c57, 80070103, 80246007, 80070002, also one of the updates that won't install is the broadcom driver update for dell wireless 1397 wlan mini-card.  also following the reset i have not been able to use wireless i have only been able to use internet through a wired connection. [IMAGE]  this is what happens when i unplug the ethernet cable. i have tried troubleshooting and it says explore more solutions but have found nothing. i have looked through the device manager at the wireless connections and i looked at the details of the wireless wlan mini card and all it says is (This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31).  can someone help as i have tried all the things i know. thanks
wireless adapters not found