So the adapter has power, but is not listed in device manager.
Are there any "unknown device" or devices with Exclamation marks in the device manager?
If not then the network card may not be connected properly inside the machine, this can happen if the laptop has been dropped or subjected to shock it is usually accessible by removing one of the panels on the bottom of the machine. Your machine should be switched off, unplugged with the battery removed before poking around under there, the wireless card should be fully disconnected and then re-connected firmly pressing evenly on each side , there is no need to interfere with the antennae cable(s) )