Bizarre network adapter problem

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

My network adapter does not appear in Device Manager, until I "Show
hidden devices". And then it appears as a "Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI
Fast Ethernet NIC", whereas I actually have a D-Link DFE-538TX 10/100
adapter.

Furthermore, I get no icons (at all) in the Network Communications
window. So if I want to change any settings of my LAN, for example, I
can't, because I can't select the LAN icon or right-click on it. The
LAN is working though. The current driver for the Realtek adapter which
is listed is a MS driver. Attempts at installing the latest D-Link
driver or Realtek version results in the device failing to start (with
"Code 10", whatever that is.)

I have tried the following:
- everything in the MS KB825826 article
- all my PCI settings are at Auto in the BIOS
- uninstalling the adapter (can't because "device may be needed to boot
the machine" )

Any ideas?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

googlegroups@higginsnet.com wrote:

> Thanks Malke. Is the new network card necessary? My LAN is working ok
> - I log into to my work network and use the internet etc. It's just
> that there's no icon in Network Communications, and also the strange
> Device Manager behaviour detailed above. So it's not that it's not
> working, just that Windows doesn't see it, even though Windows is
> using it. Strange. I have actually tried uninstalling it (intending to
> let Windows find new hardware, and then direct it to the driver of my
> choice) but Windows won't uninstall it. An winow appears informing me
> that the device "device may be needed to boot the machine".
>
> Any more thoughts?

I did not realize that your network is functional. If everything is
working and you don't need the icons, then leave well enough alone.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

<googlegroups@higginsnet.com> wrote in message
news:1127137478.681010.250680@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Ah if only it were that easy! I need to change some of the IP settings,
> for example, and since I can't access the window to do that (which
> would be a right-click), I'm pretty stuck. Any ideas?
>

You can change all IP parameters via a Command Prompt using
netsh.exe. Example:
netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static 125.187.7.56
255.0.0.0