I'm going to answer myself on this since I've done some more websearch and found the following:

Apparently, the WiFi ntenna chip on the board in the UX50 comes loose. If you look at the back of your device, there is an indentation in the case just to the left of the "palm powered" logo. Under this resides the chip.

I got my UX50 to scan successfully once by simply pressing firmly on the indentation. Other users have found that by opening the case, pressing the chip onto its board connection and then placing a thin shim on the inside of the indentation on the case back, they got the chip to stay connected and thus restore wifi functionality. Here is a link to another forum describing the fix:

http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77127







I'm concerned that the wifi function on this used UX50 is not functioning. Should the scan function at leas "see" andy existing networks or is there some configuration settings that need to be established before it can even detect active wifi networks.

A good example would be that if I were in an airport where I know ther are free wifi access points, what do I need to do to connect to them?

Any hints or tips?>