OK, the issue as I see it is resolved. After using System Restore to a time earlier in the day of the complete collapse of the adapter discussed above, initially I had no connectivity. However, running ipconfig in Admin Cmd prompt showed details where previously none existed. I now had a "connected" adapter.
The behavior was funny; it would show connected, then not, alternating back and forth but never achieving connected status. Finally, I put the machine away, and let it sit for two days.
The good news is that now it works. For any readers out there encountering a similar issue, the driver now installed on my working wireless network adapter is Intel's 15.3.50.2 which Intel recommends for this adapter on platforms running Windows 8. Do not attempt to upgrade to any newer version, because this will cause your adapter to fail! Read carefully Intel's warning and advice regarding the move from Windows 7 to Windows 8.
Because I performed this upgrade from 7 to 8 myself, I had to find the appropriate drivers where necessary (though I don't recall any). Lesson learned: in this case, use Intel's recommendation, which as the case may be, could end up being a so-called legacy driver. Obviously users whose machines came pre-installed with Windows 8 will likely not run into those issues, as there should be no need to upgrade, install, or reinstall any of your device drivers.
Thanks, Rick, for troubleshooting. In lieu of the $160.00 Dell would have charged me, I offer you my sincere thanks. God bless.
Take care,
Joseph