XP networking error

[Ann]

When booting I get the following error:

network connection folder was unable to retrieve list
network adapters. Please make sure Network Connection
Service is enabled and running. I've done that and it
is, however, in Control Panel/Network Connections, none
of my network connections are showing up. I add a VPN
connection and it doesn't show up - it's blank.
Can you help?
Thank you

 

[Bob Fuller]

Have you checked your event logs for warning or error
messages? Check for any services that are marked to
Automatically start that aren't running. Does the
network card/interface indicate a LINK with a flashing or
solid LED light? (Not all NICs have these lights, but
most do)
Is the network interface actually attached?

If the device is properly installed and drivers are
loading without error, and there aren't physical problems
like a bad cable or dataport, it may be related to
software--perhaps a bad/corrupt user profile? Perhaps
there are restrictions placed upon the system that
prevent you from seeing this? Are you logged in as a
local system administrator?

Did this connection ever work? Perhaps try a System
Restore point to a date that you know it to be functional.

Have you installed any new software or made any
configuration changes? If so, UNDO them as a test.

As you can tell, there are hundreds of possibilities.
Based upon the information that you've provided, little
actual troubleshooting can be done. Additional
information like brands/models, hub/switches, routers, IP
addresses etc, will be most helpful.

Keep in mind, the Event Logs will most likely contain
information leading you to a conclusion. Look for those
errors and warning messages. Sometimes, even
INFORMATIONAL messages can have good information about
the status of your machine.

Bob