[ubuntu-uk] Strange difference between Remix and Desktop

[Gordon]

I have Remix 10.04 on a flash drive and Desktop 10.04 on a CD.
If I start the Live CD on my Tosh Satellite, it tells me that the 
Wireless device is "not ready" and I can't connect.
If I run the Remix from the flash drive on the same machine it finds the 
Wireless adapter and I can connect.
Aren't the two just the same OS with a different GUI?
If so, why the difference?