Question : Problem: new install of Windows XP shows no network cards

I make a fresh install of Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005.  I have done this three times and always get the same problems, so it is not merely a case of reinstalling the OS.

I have two specific problems:-

1. No network cards show up in Network Properties. The network wizard does not start. I have uninstallede the cards from device manager, installed the drivers by hand and automaticlally.

There are two cards, the original on-board NIC and I have added a USB wiresless card.

Both card show up as 'working properly' in the device manager properties but nothnig at all appears in Network properties and I can't find how to add them or get the networking to appear.

I have gone to add remove Windows Components and installed/uninstalled networking.

Can anyone help?

2. The media centre extensions do not appear to get installed.

Have not looked into this yet, given the inability to get the network installed and the latest updates downloaded.

Can anyone help?

Thanks as always

Answer : Problem: new install of Windows XP shows no network cards

Can you verify that the following services are set to Automatic, and are started:

(start, run, type services.msc )
Computer Browser
Cryptographic Services
DHCP Client
Distributed Link Tracking Client
DNS Client
Net Logon
Network Connections
Network Location Awareness (NLA)
Server
Windows Management Instrumentation
Wireless Zero Configuration
Workstation