DOCUMENT:Q206145 06-AUG-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Random Characters Appear in Network Adapters List PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kbhw kbnetwork kbHardware ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== When you are viewing network adapters using the Network tool in Control Panel, you may see random or unintelligible characters in the list of adapters. You may also see the characters when you are adding a new network adapter. CAUSE ===== This behavior can occur if there is no supported network adapter installed from the Windows NT CD-ROM or a third-party manufacturer, or if there is a null adapter entry in the corresponding Oemnadx.inf file. RESOLUTION ========== A supported network adapter with appropriate adapter listings in the .inf file does not display the random characters. Consult the manufacturer of the installed network adapter for a supported or updated driver. MORE INFORMATION ================ 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. You can also edit the registry to produce readable characters. The Adapters dialog box in Network properties contains two fields. The first, Network Adapters, displays the list of installed adapters. These strings can be modified in the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards\ Value: Title Type: REG_SZ is the number of the installed adapter. The second field, Item Notes, displays descriptive text about the installed network adapters. These values can be edited at the following location in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards\ Value: Description Type: REG_SZ REFERENCES ========== For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q131303 Latest Windows 2000 and Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) Q142865 Microsoft Support Policy on Hardware Not On Windows NT HCL Q170995 How to Install Third-Party Network Adapter Drivers Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kbhw kbnetwork kbHardware Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : :4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.