No data in "Network Connections"

[Trouble_Is43]

Strange but true... I cannot open the "Network Setup Wizard". I go to
Control Panel and double-click the "Network Setup Wizard" icon and get no
response at all. When I open "Network Connections", I get a warning that
"The Network Connections Folder was unable to retrieve the list of network
adapters on your machine. Make sure that the Network Connections service is
enabled and running".

I have a working Internet connection - a wireless setup with a Linksys
router. I set it up on this machine (a desktop with Windows XP Home SP2) 3
years ago and it has worked well ever since. At the time that I went
wireless with the desktop, I remember going through and changing several
settings in order to ease my mind concerning security issues... I turned off
the file sharing, etc., as I only had the one computer. I recently purchased
a laptop and was trying to set up file sharing between it and the desktop
through the router and it seems that I need access to either the "Network
Setup Wizard" or at least be able to see the current network connection in
order to change the settings and allow the desktop to communicate with the
laptop.

I had some components replaced on the desktop motherboard a couple years ago
and the tech didn't return my recovery disc. He has since closed up shop and
I have no idea how to contact him. I would be happy to provide more info if
it would help. Any constructive thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Steve Winograd]

Strange but true... I cannot open the "Network Setup Wizard". I go to
Control Panel and double-click the "Network Setup Wizard" icon and get no
response at all. When I open "Network Connections", I get a warning that
"The Network Connections Folder was unable to retrieve the list of network
adapters on your machine. Make sure that the Network Connections service is
enabled and running".

I have a working Internet connection - a wireless setup with a Linksys
router. I set it up on this machine (a desktop with Windows XP Home SP2) 3
years ago and it has worked well ever since. At the time that I went
wireless with the desktop, I remember going through and changing several
settings in order to ease my mind concerning security issues... I turned off
the file sharing, etc., as I only had the one computer. I recently purchased
a laptop and was trying to set up file sharing between it and the desktop
through the router and it seems that I need access to either the "Network
Setup Wizard" or at least be able to see the current network connection in
order to change the settings and allow the desktop to communicate with the
laptop.

I had some components replaced on the desktop motherboard a couple years ago
and the tech didn't return my recovery disc. He has since closed up shop and
I have no idea how to contact him. I would be happy to provide more info if
it would help. Any constructive thoughts would be appreciated

Did you follow the advice to make sure that the Network Connections
service is enabled and running? You can do that in Start > Run >
services.msc.

If that doesn't help, look for relevant error messages in Event Viewer
(Start > Run > eventvwr.msc).
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Trouble_Is43]

Did you follow the advice to make sure that the Network Connections
service is enabled and running? You can do that in Start > Run >
services.msc.

If that doesn't help, look for relevant error messages in Event Viewer
(Start > Run > eventvwr.msc).
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

***
Hi, Steve
Well, I changed the setting for Network Connections to start automatically
(it was set to Manual for some reason). There is still nothing in the window
when I open Network Connections, but I no longer get the warning that it may
not be enabled. I'm not sure exactly what to look for in the event logs, but
I went through all of them and nothing stood out as having to do with the
Network Setup Wizard malfunctioning. It's as if it no longer exists on my
computer. I tried searching for "Network Setup Wizard" and all that was
found that I could make heads or tails of was the shortcut icon. I'm not
knowledgeable enough to break this down bit by bit and was wondering if I
should just buy another XP disc and start from scratch - provided that this
won't mean losing everything that I have on the hard drive currently. Again,
I know very little about this and I appreciate all of the help.

Rod