Sorry about the crappy subject title. There isn't much space to make a good one. My question is: For windows Vista, is a networking icon(denoting a LAN connection) automatically always displayed if there is an NIC present(and properly set up and recognized) on the system, <u>even if the NIC has never been connected to any other device</u>? I could phrase that question another way(again, assuming I am running Vista): If I have a brand new computer(including brand new OS and NIC), which has never been connected to a network, will an icon saying "local area connection" be present in the network section of the control panel? And yet, I could phrase that a third way: Will Vista display an icon denoting a LAN connection, even if the NIC on the computer has never been connected to any other networking device, or so much as one end of a cable? I am curious, because I see no way to make a new LAN connection in Vista. So I am wondering if the only way to make another LAN connection icon appear in the control panel is too add another NIC. Of course, that would make sense because it would do no good to have two LANs setup in the OS if there is only one NIC. There is only one LAN connection icon present. Even when I disconnect the cable from the NIC, the LAN icon is still there(although it does properly recognize the fact that the cable is disconnected). So I am led to believe that a LAN connection icon will always be present in Vista's control panel as long as the system has an NIC. And I just want to see if that is correct. Also, for some reason, this connection is called "Network 2". I have no idea why. I only have one NIC. The reason I can think of is because maybe it considers the dial-up modem(which has never been connected) "network 1". But no "network 1" icon is displayed. So if Vista automatically displays a network icon for NICs, then it must not do the same for modems. So how does this work exactly? :) Athlon 64 X2 4400 1024MB of RAM 250GB HD Vista Home Premium Nvidia 6150

I don't trust the icons. I try to ensure that they "show in taskbar" is checked. I suggest that you get more used to using other network tools that provide better data. Also part of your question is how some modems may connect. The connection is not a hard connection but one that is software so that it may or may not display as a connection until connected. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

HERE is the dirty little trick to show or hide network icon in Vista notification area (a.k.a. system tray). i_Xp/VistaUser

Hi guys. And thanks for the answers. But my question isn't just simply about the icon. It is more so about the conditions under which vista recognizes the presence of a network(however vista may be defining "network"). I'm not really concerned about the hiding or showing of the superficial icons themselves. My question is concerning the conditions under which this icon is displayed. And the icon that I am talking about is the one displayed in the control panel(Control Panel>Network and Internet>Network and Sharing Center>Manage Network Connections). Also, a related question to my original post: If a LAN connection icon, is in fact NOT automatically displayed for a never connected NIC,then is it the case that when the NIC is actually connected to another networking device that a LAN connection(and accomapnying icon, of course) is automatically created in vista, and stays there even if the connection is physically terminated?(ie. cable removed from NIC) Athlon 64 X2 4400 1024MB of RAM 250GB HD Vista Home Premium Nvidia 6150