Installing Network Components Using Control Panel Applets When you install network components and configure network settings | Installing Network Components Using Control Panel Applets When you install network components and configure network settings new entries are added into the system registry. Before we open the registry editor and start exploring these entries let s discuss an easy method of installing network components and specifying their settings. In Windows NT you use the Network applet on the Control Panel. In Windows 2000 by combining their functionality the Network and Dial-up Connections Control Panel applet has replaced two independent Windows NT administrative tools the Network applet and the Dial-up Connections applet. In Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 this situation has not changed significantly. To start configuring network connections start the Network Connections applet on the Control Panel to open the Network Connections window. Provided that you have installed the network adapter and the system has correctly detected it the Network Connections window will look as shown in Fig. . Figure The Network Connections window Note Certain conditions such as a malfunctioning network adapter card can keep your LAN connection from appearing in the Network Connections folder. Notice that the appearance of the Local Area Connection icon in this window changes according to the status of the connection. By design if your computer doesn t detect a network adapter a local area connection icon does not appear in the Network Connections folder. Possible states of your LAN connections and their respective icons are summarized in Table . Table Local Area Connection Icons Icon Description Network adapter has been correctly installed and detected by your computer. You are connected to the LAN the LAN connection is active . Network adapter is physically present but the cable is unplugged from your computer. The cable is unplugged from your computer or from the hub. This icon appears at the taskbar at the same time as the previous one. Local Area Connection Network .
