Local Area Connection icon in systray

[Bob Stringer]

I'm running WinXP sp 1.

I did not have my new computer connected to the Internet
while I installed my applications. I didn't even have my
only network card (if that's what it's called -- it's the
card for connecting to my DSL) in it, since I kept that card
in my old computer.

From the very beginning -- apparently because WinXP detected
that I wasn't connected -- an icon appeared in the systray.
It looks like two computers, with a red "x" over one of
them. The tooltip that appears when I hover the mouse over
it says:
"Local Area Connection
A network cable is unplugged"

I ignored it, assuming that it would go away once I
installed the card and connected to the internet. Not so.
It's still there.

When I click on this icon, a "Network Connection" box
appears. It contains four things: Network Setup Wizard, New
Connection Wizard, Local Area Connection (the icon for which
has a red "x" over it), and Local Area Connection 2.

Since I'm pretty ignorant in these matters, I can only
*guess,* based on the tool tip, that the computer thinks I
have two different connections and that a cable is unplugged
one of them. After all, that's what the tooltip says.

I wouldn't call this a "problem," but I would like to get
that icon out of the systray, which is full enough as it is,
and as a matter of principle I'd like the settings that I
read to reflect how the computer is actually set up -- i.e.,
with only one connection and no "unplugged cable." Just so
there's no confusion in the future, I imagine that "Local
Area Connection" has to be gotten rid of in some fashion and
that "Local Area Connection 2" should be re-named to "Local
Area Connection."

Also, I of course worry that this icon suggests that there's
a potential problem lurking in the background that ought to
be addressed before it becomes an actual problem.

Can someone help?

Thanks.

Bob Stringer

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