Network Connections/WMI Failure

Hi, I just recently suffered from a rather odd computer malady and was
wondering if anyone could help me figure out what the heck is going on.

First problem: Network Connections is completely empty. It does not display
any connections whatsoever. When I perform a refresh, Windows XP reports
that the Network Connections service is not running. However, when I look at
the Services list, Network Connections reports itself as running and active.
I have tried resetting this service, as well as all other Windows services,
but to no avail. I also consulted the KB article regarding this issue, but
none of the fixes listed worked.

However, on one of the steps I noticed something frighteningly peculiar...
Second problem: Device Manager cannot change any of my hardware settings.
Any time I attempt to uninstall or disable my hardware, Windows XP reports
an error stating that the hardware could not be removed (it suggested that
the device may be vital to the booting process-- my USB wireless adapter is
not vital to my computer's boot sequence, I can assure you that!). I can
still attach new hardware and have it recognize and install itself, but I
cannot control it from Device Manager.

Then I did some investigating and found something VERY peculiar...
Third problem: WMI denied me access. I opened the WMI plugin for MMC to
check the namespace and was denied access to its property pages. I'm an
administrator! Why would I be denied access? Worse still, when I attempted
to run a network diagnostics through the Help and Support Center, it reported
that the WMI failed.

I've never seen anything like this happen before, and I want to avoid having
to repair Windows, especially if it means reinstalling all of my software.
Any ideas out there?
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Network Connections/WMI Failure
    ... Windows XP ... Network Connections reports itself as running and ... Device Manager cannot change any of my hardware ... > Any time I attempt to uninstall or disable my hardware, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: The revelation of St. f0dder the Divine
    ... Even for Microsoft, that would be an error of the highest ... for them...you CANNOT have such a "casual" attitude to concurrency on ... You simply could not get Windows to operate at all, ... how can it only effect specific hardware? ...
    (alt.lang.asm)
  • Re: Advertising "Linux Compatible"
    ... The OEM hardware comes with a Windows Driver. ... natively support that particular piece of hardware. ... Windows by developing drivers themselves. ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: Device Driver that uploads its own code?
    ... driver to implement an adaptive timing loop; ... respond/interact with hardware with microsecond precision. ... real-time and linear, the idea of fluctuating state and variable latency ... where the connection to Windows is largely ...
    (microsoft.public.win32.programmer.kernel)
  • Re: Universal sound card?
    ... all my fault that linux won't work with my hardware. ... If you're running windows, this is usually not a concern. ... for GNU/Linux, doesn't mean that your hardware is standard. ... Those highschool kids are actually qualified engineers, and those drivers ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)