Active Network Adapter Icon not shon in Device manager

**onclejean** · 18th August 2008

Have Nvidia 8800 with twin network adapter. Internet access working OK both shown in Device Manager until this am 18/08/2008 when after daily reboot 1st active network adapter failed to show in Systray connections, Network Connections and Device Manager. The disabled second network adapter does show in Device Manager.
Net work access and local network all OK. I have done repair icons and Systray but no improvement.
What next should I do or would I be better un heroically just live with it?

**TonyT** · 18th August 2008

You could try uninstalling the adapter via Device Manager and reboot, let Windows detect the "new hardware" and auto install it.

**onclejean** · 18th August 2008

I tried this but it did not fix the problem. I restored the system to before last weeks batch of MS Windows Updates and it is now OK.
I do find the updates often cause problems and was not able to install SP3 succesfully.

**mattman** · 19th August 2008

Hello Onclejon,

Nvidia 8800 is the model of the graphics adapter in your computer, actually, it is the model of the chipset of the graphics adapter. Nvidia don't make computers or even the motherboards in computers, but they do make chipsets for them.

A reason why I think you cannot update/upgrade your Windows system is because you need to update the drivers first.

Look at the information (manual) that came with the computer to find out information about it. If you cannot find the manual you will need to identify the hardware yourself.

If the computer came with a drivers disk/CD, you may just need install those.

Everest in my signature might help you identify the hardware, although it needs "good" drivers installed to identify correctly (also, some manufacturers have "special" drivers that Everest cannot read).

If you get a good set of drivers I might expect your problems to be over. Don't get drivers by letting Windows look for them, find the manufacturer, download and install them yourself.

Matt

**onclejean** · 19th August 2008

Hi Matt

I have all the latest drivers from Nvidia Website, it is a Windows but and evecntually I did a full reninstall of the geforce drviers for a permanent fix.
I still feel that the MS WinXP updates are troublemakers. Why do we need all these security fixes if we have a good firewall and good antivirus software? As to XP service pack 3 it has very little that was not already from autoupdate and Microsoft admit that it will work for about 69% of users, jurs like Vista upgrades!
Thanks for your help