XP Pro. - Network Setup Wizard & Other Issues

[CKTurbo128]

I have a somewhat annoying (minor) networking issues with Windows XP Professional. Recently, in the last couple of weeks, I noticed that my "Connect To" button on my Start menu vanished. I checked my Network Connections and it only lists one connection, my main Gigabit NIC card, when it should also list my 1394 and 56K connection (used whenever H.-S. Internet is down). It's very unusual, since under "Internet Properties" under the "Connections" tab, my 56K modem connection is still listed. I tried using the 56K connection - it works, but it does not show the icon connection in the taskbar, so I cannot disconnect normally! This isn't a big problem, as it has not interferred with my high-speed Internet connection, but is very annoying problem since I cannot "see" my other network connections on this PC.

Another problem (might be related) is that I can no longer the Network Setup Wizard. Whenever I try to run it, nothing happens - no errors, complaints, BSODs, etc. I can use the New Connection Wizard, but not the Network Setup Wizard. I've tried running the Network Setup Wizard off of the Windows XP Pro. CD, but the same results occur.

This are annoying issues, but nothing too serious (yet). Doing a reformat is out of the question, since that would waste a lot of time to fix such a minor problem that has not caused any serious issues. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix these unusual issues? Any suggestions would be helpful.

- CKTurbo128

EDIT: I can't System Restore before the annoyances appeared, since I wiped the System Restore checkpoints prior before discovering the problem.

 

[blizz]

my "Connect To" button on my Start menu vanished.

Right-click on taskbar->properties-start menu ->customize->advanced-.scroll down to network connections and click the radio button 'Display as connect to menu'

56K connection - it works, but it does not show the icon connection in the taskbar

Go to network connections, right-click dial-up icon->properties->check box at bottom of general tab 'show icon in notification area when connected'

Network Setup Wizard

No idea.

Good luck.

 

[CKTurbo128]

Right-click on taskbar->properties-start menu ->customize->advanced-.scroll down to network connections and click the radio button 'Display as connect to menu'

No, that isn't quite the problem. I have that option on, but all that appears is "Show all connections." It should also show my 56K connection, but it does not. It's most likely tied to the problem that I listed earlier:

I checked my Network Connections and it only lists one connection, my main Gigabit NIC card, when it should also list my 1394 and 56K connection

...meaning that the "Network Connections" folder should show all the other network connections that I have, but it does not.

Go to network connections, right-click dial-up icon->properties->check box at bottom of general tab 'show icon in notification area when connected'

Like I said earlier, the main problem is that the only connection that appears under "Network Connections" is my gigabit NIC. It should also show my 1394 adapter connection and 56K connection and both devices are enabled - there is already a 56K connection setup under "Internet Properties" - Connections", but this connection does not show up under "Network Connections." These connections used to appear, until about 1 month ago. Unfortunately, I do not have a System Restore checkpoint to that period.

- CKTurbo128

 

[CKTurbo128]

[BUMP]

Hmm, does anyone else have any suggestions on how to fix these odd network problems?

- CKTurbo128