Solved X in network icon

[ibshaw]

This is more of an annoyance than a problem.... I have a new PC that I decided to use with cabled Ethernet as it did not have on board wireless. Everything works fine but there is a "X" on top of the network icon suggesting it is not connected ? Do I need to disable another device to get the X to disappear ? as far as I can see the PC does not seem to have any other network device. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[wilywombat]

Hi ibshaw, welcome to sevenforums. Can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing?

 

[ibshaw]

Hi, thanks for quick reply. I can do that when I get home but I forgot to mention it is Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS so it is the standard network icon that come with this OS only with an "X" on top of it as though the cable was unplugged or network disabled but all works fine ? Weird but I'll get a screen shot if it helps. Thanks so far.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ibshaw,

This is just a glitch. Here are some ways to toggle it to usually have it display properly afterwards:

• disable and enable the "Local Area Connection" (right click on) for this ethernet connection in Network Connections
• restart the computer
• reset notification icons

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[ibshaw]

Thanks Brink, I'll give this a go...... cheers.

 

[ibshaw]

Hello again Brink - I noticed when I went to your page you have several instructions listed one of which I have tried before to remove the annoying pop up balloons in Win 7 both from the task bar and in folders / file view and these work but I've found they reappear the next time you start up again after a shut down as if it is going back to the default condition of on, unless I have done it incorrectly ? Is there a way to PERMANENTLY remove these pop ups - I was hopeful the registry value fix would have been the answer. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Ibshaw,

Depending on the notification message you get, you may be able to turn it off if it's a message from the Action Center.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/364-action-center-change-message-settings.html
​

For taskbar notification message balloons:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ons-hide-show-system-icons-notifications.html

OR

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11442-notifications-enable-disable-message-balloons.html
​

For pop-up descriptions:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11836-pop-up-descriptions-enable-disable.html
​

 

[ibshaw]

Thanks Brink, your help is appreciated.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Ibshaw. Did you get the network icon sorted?

 

[ibshaw]

Hi Brink - this is weird, I can see the Ethernet adapter in device manager yet I get a blank screen when I go to view network connection ? I can disable then re-enable in DM but the icon still has an X over it and the network/ internet works as normal. I tried the reset you suggested but that did not seem to affect the icon dispay. I may have to live with it as long as its working !!!!

 

[Brink]

Strange glitch. You might try unplugging and plugging in the ethernet cable to see if that may toggle the icon not to have the X on it.

 

[ibshaw]

I did a bit of browsing on this problem over the weekend and it seems to be quite common in XP but more in Win 7 64bit OS setups. As I mentioned previously, I can see the Ethernet adapter in Device Manager but the Network Connections screen is blank and the red X over the icon remains yet I have no network or internet problems ? I don't recall this being present in XP only when I got a new PC running Win 7 Home Premium 64bit but others have it with Ultimate too.
So far, I have not resolved - just as well it is only an annoyance and not a "real" problem LOL.

 

[ibshaw]

I read another article suggesting a fix for this..... as opposed to disabling then re enabling the network adapter in DM, it suggests uninstalling then re-booting for Windows to then detect and reinstall it so establishing the icon in the Network Connections screen and perhaps allow the X to be removed from the icon, but I am a bit reluctant to do this as my network is not actually "broke" so perhaps I shouldn't try to fix it ? Anyone else done this successfully ?

 

[Brink]

Ibshaw,

Unless the X on it is just really bugging, it's not going to hurt anything to just leave it since the network is working just fine. It may even correct itself at some point automatically.

 

[ibshaw]

OK sorted - just went into DM and uninstalled the Ethernet adapter, shut down then it reinstalled itself on re-boot. Icon cross gone and adapter now appears in Network Connections. Weird. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[Brink]

That's great news. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[ibshaw]

So am I !!!! (its funny how things that don't really matter can bug you)

 

[Brink]

Agreed. I like everything to work as it should as well.

 

[ibshaw]

Well would you believe it - all was working fine until a re-boot brought back the X on top of the icon again although the Ethernet adapter is now showing in Device Manager when, before I reinstalled it, it did not so that at least is a step forward. Clicking on properties there is no box to tick to "show icon in notification area" like in XP, so I guess in Win 7 showing it will be the default. Fortunately, everything still works OK so am not going to get too upset but I'm sure this must have happened to others so I'm going to do a bit of research - there will be an answer out there !!!! .

 

[ibshaw]

Correction to my last post - Ethernet adapter now shows in Network Connections, it always was in Device Manager..... Doh