I lost Network Connections list after installing SP2

[Tokar]

The internet connections were working fine when i was running SP1a. I could right click My Network Places and click properties...or i could go through Control Panel and double click Network Connections...and I would see the 2 network connections, and 1 disabled network bridge, on my computer (1 HPNA card, 1 10/100 card).

Now, after installing SP2, the Network Connections window is empty. When I hit F5 to refresh the window i get an error:

"The Network Connections Folder was unable to retrieve the list of Network adapters on your machine. Please make sure that the Network Connections service is enabled and running."

First I checked services.msc. The Network Connections service was on Manual and its status was "Started". I tried making it Automatic, but that did nothing to rectify the problem.
Next I checked the Windows Firewall window, since I knew it was running as evidenced by the Security Center. I turned it off, but still no connections. I went to the Advanced tab in the Windows Firewall window and in the upper box it says:
"The network connect settings have become corrupted. To fix this, click Restore Defaults. This will delete all of your settings for Windows Firewall, and it might cause some programs to stop working."
I clicked on Restore Defaults. It turned Windows Firewall back on, but the error in that box still remains, the Network Connections folder is still empty, and I still get that error when I hit F5 in the Network Connections folder.


I just checked the Device Manager. My 3com 10/100 card is disabled, which is SOMETHING I DID, since I dont use it (I'm running an HPNA network over here)...there are no errors with the card last time i checked. My HPNA card is fine...no errors there...including the fact that I'm using it now to write this post. The network bridge is disabled too, which is SOMETHING I DID...I DO USE THIS, I just disable it when not in use.

Im out of ideas. Im open to suggestions.

I have no viruses. Im running Kaspersky and I recently did a scan.
I have no spyware. I recently did a scan with Webroot Spysweeper 3.0.
HijackThis 1.98 shows nothing funny.
The Startup list shows nothing funny, either.
This happened right after installing SP2...and yes, I installed the *right* one; MD5 sums were a match.

Computer Info:
Windows XP Professional with SP2 Installed
Broadcom 4211 iLine10? Network Adapter (the HPNA card)
3com Etherlink XL 10/100 PCI For Complete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX)

 

[Mem]

Don`t know if this helps but after my SP2 install I lost net connection,I went into Windows firewall settings and under "exceptions tab" ticked all the boxes ,now I`ve net access,btw I`m using my own Kerio firewall as well and XP one was disabled, but seems I had to tick all the options in that exceptions tab.

 

[Tokar]

the thing is, i turned off Windows Firewall. Im already running Zone Alarm.

 

[Mem]

the thing is, i turned off Windows Firewall. Im already running Zone Alarm

Yep so did I, but still couldn`t connect,had to tick those boxes in "exception tab" of Windows XP firewall,anyway worth a shot.

 

[Tokar]

all of them are checked...

all that is in the list are:
File and Print sharing
Remote Assistance
Remote Desktop
UPnP Framework


Is there something in your list that is not in mine?

 

[Mem]

Is there something in your list that is not in mine?

Only two extra I`ve is MSN Messenger 6.2 and Kerio personal firewall 4 - GUI.


Btw in Security Centre,I ticked for both AV & firewall the option for " I`ve a firewall/anti-virus solution that I monitor myself etc" .

 

[Tokar]

yeah i already did that.

i said i have my own firewall, my own antivirus, and i changed the settings of auto update so it doesnt download and install automatically

 

[Nothinman]

It's part of the new security procedure, if you can't figure out how to get on the network you probably shouldn't be on it =)

 

[Tokar]

no no no...
i HAVE internet. i HAVE network access.

If I right click "my network places", and click properties, a window opens called "Network Connections", as you probably know. In there one should see things like "Local Area Connection", "Local Area Connection 2", etc. I see nothing.

 

[Tokar]

right now im in Safe Mode with networking (writing this message) and the Network Connections window has what I should see...Local Area Connection, Local Area Connection 2, and Network Bridge...

Is it possible that there is some kind of windows service that is disabling the Network Connections?

 

[thegorx]

is the 3com 10/100 network connection disabled too
I'm guess it should be since the device is disabled

but what catches my eye is that network bridge
I always have to do a custom network setup otherwise windows in all it's wisdom bridges my firewire and ethernet connections and totally screws up my client tables on my router.

any way I'd just remove that bridge and you might want to run network setup this time but select custom or what ever it is and don't setup let alone bridge the disable 3com 10/100 card.

 

[Tokar]

i fixed one problem and introduced another...

I went into safe mode, where everything was working fine, and disabled Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing.
I came back into normal Windows, and everything was fine. I saw both LAC's and the Network Bridge.

The new problem I introduced is ICS. I will need to use ICS when i get back up to school in a month...
(I dont really like Sygate software)