I'm able to connect again. Not sure what I did exactly but I just poked around in the network settings and maybe I unlocked or reset something critical. So for the time being I'm going to use it as is. My main use for this computer is for traveling and I'm just leaving on a trip tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who responded and I may try installing a new version of Ubuntu when I return. I guess from the comments that the best choice is lubuntu. I think it's pretty amazing that you guys have given me this great advice. Thanks again!