Nic #2??

[Mike_W]

I originally had an onboard Realtek 8139 Fast Ethernet NIC on my puter. I decided to try another brand, namely an SMC 1244. I disabled the onboard and installed the SMC. After seeing NO difference, and also that I could NOT get rid of the onboard Realtek no matter what I did (the connection still came up and had to be disabled through System Properties), I decided just to stick with the Realtek. I uninstalled the SMC and reconnected the LAN Header to my Realtek onboard. Now, after rebooting, the Realtek re-installed but shows up as "Realtek 8139/810x Fast Ethernet NIC #2". Why the #2? It is the only one installed. I have repeated the uninstall and re-install but it still comes up as #2. Also, my Local Area Connection shows up as "Local Area Connection 4". I have checked everything I know to check and I don't understand why the numbers are the way they are. Any suggestions?
By the way, this is in Windows XP. Win98 seems normal.

[Scott]

Have you tried going into safemode and deleting the non-existent cards? I think sometimes they are just not visible and are disabled, but still there nontheless.

Also, you can just rename the LAN #4 to whatever you like. It seems to keep a running count of "setups". Does it on my W2k machine too.

[Mike_W]

Uhm...how do I access "Safe Mode" on WinXP?

[TeenInternetAddict]

To access safe mode under Windows XP:

Restart your computer
Push F8
Select Windows XP
Select Safe Mode

Hope this helps you!

[Mike_W]

Yes. I got to Safe Mode. The extra NIC does not show up in Device Manager. Nor does it show up in Win98se. I dunno. Maybe worried over nuthin'. TCP Optimizer shows two Realtek adapters, and the Realtek is still listed as #2 in Device Manager.


Wierd...

[YeOldeStonecat]

How many network profiles do you have listed in your Network Connections?

[Mike_W]

Just one.

[Chris]

When you do add/remove hardware in XP there is an aption when removing to view devices hidden by the system. If you check that you should be able to see it, then after you remove if its there then in lan settings right click on the adapter and rename it and remove the number.

[tHE_0ne]

thx Martiangod

i had the same problem