Manually Removing Network Adapter Entries from the Registry (147797)

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256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

If all pertinent network adapter registry entries are not deleted after you remove a network adapter in the Network tool in Control Panel, the following error message appears:

Component configuration option value missing in registry.

The following system event appears in Event Viewer:

Event ID: 7000
Description: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To correct this problem, do the following in the registry:

Start Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE) and locate the following registry subkeys in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, where number is the number of any network adapter that appears in the Installed Adapter Cards section in the Network tool in Control Panel:
\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NWLinkIPX\NetConf

\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\<Directory Specifying Manufacturer>

\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards\<number>
Manually remove all subkeys pertaining to the network adapter.
Quit Registry Editor.
Shut down and restart Windows.