Network Adapter Problem

[Diane P.]

I have a windows XP box, SP3, Asrock 4 coreDual-VSTA MOBO, Nvidia 8600GT, 2
WD drives, SB x-Fi soundcard, Lite-ON DVD writer and CD-writer.

I had no problem with my PC yesterday.

I have an ICS setup with two PC's, wired. My NIC is on my motherboard and is
a VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter. The LAN Connection icon on my desktop
no longer works properly.

After running my AVAST A/V, Malwarebytes, Super-AntiSpware and Ad-Aware with
negative results, I discovered in Device Manager that my NIC was disabled. I
don't know why. I can connect perfectly fine thru Device Manager, but it is
a PITA doing it that way. When I attempt to disable the internet connection
by using the icon on the desktop, I get the following message "It is not
possible to disable the connection at this time. The connection may be using
one or more protocols that do not support plug 'n play or it may have been
initiated by another user or system account." I am administrator and there
are just two PC's that share a internet connection via a cable modem,
Netgear Router. I also use Comodo as my firewall. I did try to repair the
connection, and Windows told me it was repaired but the icon on the desktop
still doesnot work properly, but Device Manager does.

I first thought of virus or trojan, but ran all my security software but I
could find nothing. I would have thought that if malware of some sort was an
issue, Device Manager wouldn't work either

I added no software or patches between today and yesterday.

My VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter is vintage 2006, ver 3.58.0443. I
tried to google for a newer driver but was not successful. I can't tell
however from the VIA website which one I should use or if the driver is even
the issue.

I am not sure what to do next and must admit my experience with networks,
connections and their associated hardware is very lacking. I have been lucky
that Windows set them up for me so they ran, but that's the extent of my
knowledge. I do need a helping hand. Can someone help me fix the desktop
issue. Thanks a lot.

D.

 

[Diane P.]

Please explain *exactly* how you get the connection to work
by using "device manager".

I do not stay connected to the 'net when I am not using my PC.

This is how I get the connection to work. I power up the cable modem and
router; go into Device Manger, right click on the disabled NIC, enable it
and I am instantly connected, with no problem. To get offline, I have to go
into device manager, get to the NIC, disable it and I am then offline. TIA

D.

 

[John McKenzie]

It is possible the problem is the router. Unplug the router cable and
plug it directly to the modem. That should eliminate one possible
problem source.

 

[Diane P.]

It is possible the problem is the router. Unplug the router cable and
plug it directly to the modem. That should eliminate one possible problem
source.

John, Thanks for the suggestion

First of all, I learned throught this ordeal, that my setup is not ICS; it
is a internet connection using a cable modem and router/gateway, not ICS so
my original post was in error. I am not good with networking and its
associated hardware.

We have tried different LAN ports and tried getting on the net using the
cable modem only. Tried router reset; nothing changed. I've done a system
restore and a reinstall of the adapter itself. I still have an adapter that
has to be manually enabled and disabled every time I get online. It's not a
big deal just a bit annoying. My husband's PC uses the same cable modem and
router that I do and he has no issues.

We both installed IE8 about the same time this issue arose. I have no proof
that this may be the culprit. I suppose it could be anything that caused the
problem, but I scanned for hardware changes in Device Manager, and my
onboard adapter highlighted after the scan. Something went awry and I don't
know if I'll ever find out what it was.

I'll live with it or disable the onboard LAN and get a usb network card and
pop it in and see what happens.

D.