BleepingComputer.com: Deleted Local Area Connection (LAN) icon. How do I get it back?

A friend accidentally deleted my LAN icon and I can't seem to get it back. Unfortunately I cannot set up my brand new Linksys router while it's plugged into a brand new Ethernet cable. Even the cable guy gave up today when he couldn't find the LAN icon.

So far I have uninstalled and reinstalled the network drivers from Dell, rebooted. No luck. I also followed the steps on this page: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329050

Wireless is working just fine, however I really need to have access to my router so I can secure my connection - I live in an apartment complex and I'm sure everyone is enjoying the free wifi!

I've misplaced my XP CD, so hopefully the solution will not include me having to use it.

Please help. I cannot seem to figure this out on my own while searching around the net. Any advice would be appreciated!

This post has been edited by amethyst: 15 September 2010 - 07:33 PM

Since you tried the suggestions in the article you linked to, the device has to be listed in Device Manager.

Try this:

Quote

edit to add: The article I linked to contains some of the same information that is in the one you posted.

This post has been edited by Queen-Evie: 15 September 2010 - 08:48 PM

Thanks for replying. I tried the above as well as the second method and no change whatsoever. Please advise.

http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4...f302c260093894b


you can try this let me know how it goes ok

Right Click on My Computer
Go To Properties
Go to Hardware
Click on Device Manage.

See if there's anything under network Adapters... You want to see a network card of some sort (Dlink, SMC, Realtek, VIA.. anything will do) and double click on the card... Make sure it says the Device is working properly... If it says driver problem r reinstall the driver, otherwise work with whatever the error says..

If the Device is working properly delete it and reboot...

When you reboot Windows should automatically reinstall the driver for it.. .and at the same time a new Local Area Connection should be created...

Your other option is to go to My Network Places --> Properties (Right Click) and Create a New Connection in there.

This post has been edited by rockmilk: 16 September 2010 - 12:09 AM

Thanks. I did this a couple times yesterday, did it again this morning and no LAN. But now my wireless network is named Wireless Connection 3, I'm guessing because I uninstalled and reinstalled the network drivers 3 times now?

If it makes a difference, Windows did not automatically reinstall the driver. I manually installed it after a few minutes when I realized it wasn't going to reinstall itself on its own.

Still stumped!

This post has been edited by hamluis: 16 September 2010 - 08:03 AM
Reason for edit: Removed unnecessary quote ~ Hamluis.

The only other thing I can think of is a system restore to a time just before the icon was deleted, and I don't know if that would get the icon back. It's something to consider doing-we get to a point where we try almost anything to try to solve an issue.

Since I'm not a connection or hardware expert, and have no clue what to tell you, I'll put out a call to the BC staff. Maybe one of them will be able to help you.

Queen-Evie, on Sep 16 2010, 08:10 AM, said:

Thanks so much. Did a System Restore too, nothing.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-h...air-windows-xp/

this seems to be your only option left my friend i know for a fact this will work the only thing you will have to do after this is reinstall your windows updates

amethyst, on Sep 15 2010, 07:29 PM, said:

The link posted by rockmilk includes instructions which call for your XP disk. IF you choose to go this route, and you cannot find your disk, you could borrow one from someone. You will need to get the same version your system is using: if XP home, you'll need the home disk.

I did ask for assistance, so hopefully someone will respond with more suggestions.

This post has been edited by Queen-Evie: 16 September 2010 - 09:01 AM

System model (e.g., Inspiron 1545)?

FWIW: I don't believe that System Restore has any impact on hardware...I can't be sure since I don't ever use SR.

In any case...go to Device Manager and list whatever is reflected under Network Adapters. If there is nothing listed and there is a yellow marking there, that indicates that the system doesn't recognize the proper driver as being installed.

Also...go to Control Panel/Network & Internet Connections/Network Connections. Post the info that is reflected there, please.

Louis

This post has been edited by hamluis: 16 September 2010 - 09:01 AM

hamluis, on Sep 16 2010, 08:59 AM, said:

I do have a Inspiron 1505 (yeah an oldie, I know)

Under Network Adapters, Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini Card. Proper driver is installed and working properly. No yellow question marks to speak of. Status says it's working properly. As I mentioned up thread I uninstalled and reinstalled the driver 3 times. I am using my wireless connection to get online to type this.

Under C Panel/Network & Internet Connections/Network connections there is an icon for Wireless Connections 3, connected, firewalled.

Let me know if you need more info and thanks for all your help!

Drivers, Inspiron 1505.

If you look at the Network drivers...you will see that 11 are listed. All except 2 are for wireless applications and we can disregard them for the moment.

The other two drivers are for your NIC connection...and one of those is a diagnostic utility, not really a driver.

That leaves the one designated as "Broadcom Driver" as the one which should install drivers for the NIC/LAN (wired) function on the system.

Try downloading that one...then installing it on your system. You should just have to double-click it to install it.

Louis

Thanks Louis. I must have had the driver installed already, because when I attempted to install it forced me to uninstall first. So I installed it and reinstalled the driver. Didn't do anything else after that. Checked and there's no LAN (not sure if that would be something fixed instantly!).

amethyst,
As you have mentioned that you have a dell, I have to say then...that the way in which you have explained yourself can be the reason for some confusion here. Dell's drivers and downloads section, from their web site, allows users to choose where they want to install the downloaded software. Assuming you chose to use default settings, then your driver downloads more than likely install themselves to the intended location. However, one can also uninstall these drivers from within the "Dell" folder where the software is stored. Those drivers also come on board with uninstall strings that you can access from within the appropriate folder for each downloaded driver.

That said, you can see then how some could be confused as to what method you used to "uninstall and reinstall" these drivers.

I do know that Windows is quite capable of recreating your missing LAN icon. The method by which this happens is when one uninstalls the network card from within the device manager and not the particular drivers you downloaded. If, using device manager, you uninstall the network card, then reboot the system, Windows should find the hardware and open the "Found New Hardware" wizard for you. From there, you should be good to go.

FWIW: Another way to verify what connections are currently set up/existing...go to Network Places and click the item in the left column which says View Network Connections.

That should reflect your router and any other connections which the system has...in fact, the router may not necessarily be displayed but any Internet connection should be reflected.

Louis