Random Characters Appear in Network Adapters List

ID: Q206145

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 editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

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: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

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\X

Value: Title
Type: REG_SZ

X 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\X

Value: Description
Type: REG_SZ

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q131303 Latest Windows 2000/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
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb