How do I "find" or detect a wireless network with Windows 2000?  My
husband's XP machine looks for/ detects networks when he logs on  (he
can start up his computer anywhere and it figures out if there is a
wireless network that he can use the internet on), mine
doesn't seem to do that.  I use a wireless network at home and I set
that up manually.  On my computer I have an IBM thinkpad T40 with
Cisco Systems Aiornet Client Utility V5.05.

How do I find available wireless networks with my setup?

It seems like your spouse maybe setting his configuration to accept
any unencrypted wireless connection. You can do this by going into the
property of your wireless card. Although I think it is illegal to use
someone elses network. There is also a free utility called NetStumber,
you can download this. Try to search for it on google. The utility
will allow you to find out if there is any wireless network in your
immediate area (encrypted/unencrypted).

Click on Start > control panel > network connections.

Choose your wireless network connection icon and right click on it to
get to the properties.

From the properties, Select Advanced. There you will see another
button called "Configure". Click on Configure, and then click
"Advanced" again.

In the "advanced" window, you will see a list of entires - search for
"ESSID" or "SSID". Set the value of the same to "ANY" without the "
marks.

That should enable you to connect to any network which is available. 

Alternatively, when you first get to properties by right clicking on
Wireless Network Connection, go to "Wireless Networks" tab. YOu can
also select the priority in which to select your wireless networks.