Missing connections from connections folder

I have a notebook that had a lot of definitions for all my connections in the connections folder of the Control Panel (Work domain via built-in network card, home workgroup & ADSL connection via built-in WLAN card, a large number of internet and work-domain connections via a variaty of analogue modems, ISDN-adapters and IR-port/Mobile phone modems).

Suddenly all connection definitions have disappeared from my connections folder in the Control Panel. My work domain connection and the ADSL/home workgroup connections still work though - but the others (analogue, ISDN and IR-mobile modem connections) are quite hard to start when the are no shortcuts.

As the connections through the builtin network and WLan cards still work - it seems they are not deleted/gone - rather they have gone invisible / hidden for ALL user profiles on the computer.

I can run the new connections wizards (without error messages) - but there are no new definitions that appear in the folder.

Can anyone help me ?

 

Have you stopped any services recently? Can you see your connections listed if you go to Start > Run and enter rasphone ?

It is possible that one of your network connections is corrupt. You could try disabling in device manager to check. Do you have any 1394 adapters listed in device manager?

 

No, I can't think of any services "tampered" with since this occured.

Yes, there is a 1394-adapter (don't exactly know what this is) in addition to the two network adapters that I know I have; the Intel PRO/100 VE network adapter for physical cable & the mini PCI Wlan adapter.

What is this 1394 device - and could this relate to the problem ?

However - your suggestion with the "Start > Run > Rasphone" alternative came up with a list of all the missing connections.
Will try them all - and later report back if they are OK. If so this solves my problem with accessing them - but I still don't know WHY they are not visible in the connections folder of the start menu / connections folder of the control panel ?