Windows XP: Missing Network Connection icons

Missing Network connection icons in Windows XP? You might wonder why your Network connection icons are gone and so you can't connect to your wireless network.

There are about 5 or more ways to get this fixed, however this, so far, is what I consider as one of the easier methods for fixing this problem.

To restore missing Network connection icons, follow these steps:

Please make sure that the services below are set to Started.

1. Verify that the correct network adapter is selected. A network adapter is a device that enables you to connect a computer to a network. It is also known as a network interface card (NIC.)

• Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

• Click Device manager on the left column options, double-click Network adapters, and then verify that the correct network adapter name is selected (if there are 2 or more network adapters). If you do not know the name of your network adapter, don't worry. For now, just make sure that an adapter is selected.

  

• Double-click the network adapter, and then verify that the "This device is working properly" message appears in the Device status box on the General tab. If you do not see this message, click Troubleshoot, and follow the directions. After you confirm that the correct network adapter is selected and is working properly, you can close all the open dialog boxes.

 

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2.  Verify that the necessary services are started. The Services settings simply direct the system to stop, start, and administer system services.

• Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

 

• Click Services and Applications, and then double-click Services. In the right pane, look at the Status column. You may need to expand the box so that you can see all the columns.

• Make sure that the following services are started:

1. Remote procedure call (RPC) (This service must be started before other services can take effect.).   
2. Network Connections (This service can only start if the RPC service is active.)  
3. Plug and Play  
4. COM+ Event System (This service can only start if the RPC service is active.)  
5. Telephony (This service can only start if the RPC service and the PnP Service are active.)  
6. Remote Access Connection Manager (This service can only start if Telephony service is active. 

 

***To start a service, right-click the service name, and then click Start.

Related post/s: Restore default Microsoft Services on startup