"the home edition" of what OS?
I'd go back to the seller and ask him to show (how) it works. If he can't ask for a refund.
If everything else is fine, and you can use it with a wired connection (Ethernet cable), you could consider to keep it.
By the way, are you sure it has a legitimate OS? A good test: try to install Microsoft Security Essentials (free download). If it fails because it says the OS isn't legal, return it also. You can keep MSE installed if it doesn't have an antivirus now. If it has, and you want to keep that, just uninstall MSE again.
Kees
I bought a used Gateway computer which is running a newly installed version of the home edition. When I got it home I attempted to go online but It will not locate any wireless networks. When I click the network connection icon it shows 3 networks, two of which are disabled and one which says connected but nothing is connected. I cant get it to "look" for available networks. Any help is much appreciated.

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