1/ Is that a built in receiver or an addon? If addon, try to unplug and replug it again. If not, can you detect others wireless network? Perhaps take your notebook to Pacific Coffe and see if it detect Netvigator network. Can you also borrow another notebook form your friends and see if it detect your router?
Bottom line is, I think it's hardware problem, either your routher or the reciever. Didn't think the problem was caused by drivers.
2/ Probablly a spam. You should send a message to your friend that his/her mailbox might have been hijacked or his/her PC has been infected.
To verified the mail, highlight the mail, right click, selete "View Full Header", check the following:
Return path, authentication path, three rows of Received: from. These information should preliminary tell you if it was geniunely originated from the sender.