The thing with those "stripped" versions of Windows XP,is that there are critical files missing.If I wanted to use a low-end/old computer I would install Linux :)
Are you sure it's new?Because it's a pretty old model...Make sure that at least the battery is new.Also with 256ram it could be slow for Windows XP,+Office 2003,but you can add more ram later I guess.
It's known that Windows many times can't work correctly if there is not enough free space.I usually try to keep at least 2gb of free space when using Windows.
There has to be a small switch, which enables/disables the wireless adapter, somewhere on the side of your laptop.Maybe you have switched it off by accident.Check it out :)
You'll propably get different opinions about this one.
Generally it's not considered good to re-charge a battery if it's not empty.You could for example,remove the battery from the laptop at night.