Network Icon in Control Panel Does Nothing

I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a parallel
cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the Network icon,
but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message "Direct
cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect. The cable is
good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to repair ME
without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles

I would suggest using the XP machine to begin the networking - run the
wizard there first, and then create the disk to run on the ME machine.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a parallel
cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the Network
icon, but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message "Direct
cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect. The cable is
good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to repair
ME without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles

Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I think there must be more wrong with the ME m/c
than I can fix. If I install a network card I cannot install a driver for it
and it appears multiple times in the Network group in the hardware
configuration with a blank name. I then cannot remove the reference without
editing the registry.

Looks like I will have to re-install.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I would suggest using the XP machine to begin the networking - run the
wizard there first, and then create the disk to run on the ME machine.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a
parallel cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the
Network icon, but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message "Direct
cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect. The cable is
good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to repair
ME without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles

I wouldn't reinstall yet!!

1) try removing the network cards - ALL of them - from Device Manager, while
in Safe Mode. with luck that should revert the system back to the base.
While there, remove ALL error-flagged devices, and all duplicated devices
(outside the System Devices branch - report back on duplications there).

2) If that doesn't help, there's a registry hack that can clear all
devices - but I don't want to post it in these NG's without either more
details, or a good reason, and more explanation than I have time for here
and now.

If both of the above fail, then it may be worth considering a reinstall of
the OS - although I suspect that it wouldn't help. If you should decide to
do so, then you need to read the following.....
Do an over-the-top install from the HD - look here for detailed
instructions.
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm
post back with any questions (or use the feedback link on the site)


HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I think there must be more wrong with the ME m/c
than I can fix. If I install a network card I cannot install a driver for
it and it appears multiple times in the Network group in the hardware
configuration with a blank name. I then cannot remove the reference
without editing the registry.

Looks like I will have to re-install.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I would suggest using the XP machine to begin the networking - run the
wizard there first, and then create the disk to run on the ME machine.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a
parallel cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the
Network icon, but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message "Direct
cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect. The cable is
good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to repair
ME without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles

Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I can now post a full scenario.

The Me m/c was riddled with spyware. Prior to the original post, I had used
Adaware to remove the worst of it, along with judicious use of stuff from
SysInternals, and the delete key.

I was left with a m/c that had its config shot to pieces, so I resorted to
the manufacturer's (Gateway) OS backup CD. I managed an in-place upgrade,
which miraculously retained all settings and re-instated the network files
and the rest.

It is worth noting that the m/c reported no installed applications prior to
the re-install, and yet all 20 or so applications reappeared in the
Add/Remove window afterwards.

The network icon started working and I was able to install a network card,
connect to the internet and update the m/c with the latest patches.

Updating to IE6 was problematic, but I used the program at your link to
remove IE and then I was able to install a 'virgin' copy.

In the end, a complete success, but it just goes to show what happens when
you don't have a firewall installed.

The m/c is now back with its rightful owner, with a stark warning about
using protection at all times.

Cheers.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I wouldn't reinstall yet!!

1) try removing the network cards - ALL of them - from Device Manager,
while in Safe Mode. with luck that should revert the system back to the
base. While there, remove ALL error-flagged devices, and all duplicated
devices (outside the System Devices branch - report back on duplications
there).

2) If that doesn't help, there's a registry hack that can clear all
devices - but I don't want to post it in these NG's without either more
details, or a good reason, and more explanation than I have time for here
and now.

If both of the above fail, then it may be worth considering a reinstall of
the OS - although I suspect that it wouldn't help. If you should decide to
do so, then you need to read the following.....
Do an over-the-top install from the HD - look here for detailed
instructions.
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm
post back with any questions (or use the feedback link on the site)


HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I think there must be more wrong with the ME m/c
than I can fix. If I install a network card I cannot install a driver for
it and it appears multiple times in the Network group in the hardware
configuration with a blank name. I then cannot remove the reference
without editing the registry.

Looks like I will have to re-install.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I would suggest using the XP machine to begin the networking - run the
wizard there first, and then create the disk to run on the ME machine.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a
parallel cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the
Network icon, but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message
"Direct cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect. The
cable is good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to
repair ME without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles

I'd recommend using Belarc Advisor to check the status of all the hotfixes,
after a reinstall like that.
Losing the entries in Add/Remove Programs is a not uncommon problem - caused
usually by a single over-long entry (which was probably removed in your
cleanup procedure)
I'd also recommend using HIJackThis to check for other malware components
that Ad-Aware may not have been able to see.

Well done, anyhow!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I can now post a full scenario.

The Me m/c was riddled with spyware. Prior to the original post, I had
used Adaware to remove the worst of it, along with judicious use of stuff
from SysInternals, and the delete key.

I was left with a m/c that had its config shot to pieces, so I resorted to
the manufacturer's (Gateway) OS backup CD. I managed an in-place upgrade,
which miraculously retained all settings and re-instated the network files
and the rest.

It is worth noting that the m/c reported no installed applications prior
to the re-install, and yet all 20 or so applications reappeared in the
Add/Remove window afterwards.

The network icon started working and I was able to install a network card,
connect to the internet and update the m/c with the latest patches.

Updating to IE6 was problematic, but I used the program at your link to
remove IE and then I was able to install a 'virgin' copy.

In the end, a complete success, but it just goes to show what happens when
you don't have a firewall installed.

The m/c is now back with its rightful owner, with a stark warning about
using protection at all times.

Cheers.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I wouldn't reinstall yet!!

1) try removing the network cards - ALL of them - from Device Manager,
while in Safe Mode. with luck that should revert the system back to the
base. While there, remove ALL error-flagged devices, and all duplicated
devices (outside the System Devices branch - report back on duplications
there).

2) If that doesn't help, there's a registry hack that can clear all
devices - but I don't want to post it in these NG's without either more
details, or a good reason, and more explanation than I have time for here
and now.

If both of the above fail, then it may be worth considering a reinstall
of the OS - although I suspect that it wouldn't help. If you should
decide to do so, then you need to read the following.....
Do an over-the-top install from the HD - look here for detailed
instructions.
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm
post back with any questions (or use the feedback link on the site)


HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
Hi Noel

Thanks for the response. I think there must be more wrong with the ME
m/c than I can fix. If I install a network card I cannot install a
driver for it and it appears multiple times in the Network group in the
hardware configuration with a blank name. I then cannot remove the
reference without editing the registry.

Looks like I will have to re-install.

Charles


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
I would suggest using the XP machine to begin the networking - run the
wizard there first, and then create the disk to run on the ME machine.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"Charles Law" wrote in message
...
I have a Windows ME m/c that I want to connect to Windows XP via a
parallel cable. I open Control Panel on the ME m/c and double-click the
Network icon, but nothing happens.

Has anyone else had this? How can I get the Network window to come up?

I have tried setting up DCC, but on the ME m/c I get the message
"Direct cable on LPT1 is disconnected" as soon as I try to connect.
The cable is good as it works on another (non-ME) m/c.

If something has mucked up my ME configuration, is there a way to
repair ME without re-installing?

Lots of questions, I know, but ...

TIA

Charles