Cannot create Broadband Connection (Greyed Out)

[GLScpo]

I got a message on XP that it needed to recertify with Microsoft after installing a new mouse.. how crazy...

Anyway, the certification process would not come up, kept freezing the PC. I got smart after an hour of that and pulled out my XP upgrade CD and ran setup.

I errored when I left my DSL cable modem connected, when setup ran it detected the modem, DHCP and an IP address from my ISP. It loaded in such a way that the only Internet connection I have available now is one that would Connect using a broadband connection that is always on. In the New Connection Wizard, my Dial up modem and Connect using broadband that requires a username and password are greyed out, I need the second one, SBC requires I put in a username and password. How can I undo this mess? I was up until 4:00am trying to figure it out, SBC says it's a nasty problem that requires registry changes but they do not give them out.

 

[bcastner]

A new mouse does not trigger product activation. You have some other thing going on. As Microsoft says:

What are the 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash?

"The 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash are: Display Adapter, SCSI Adapter, IDE Adapter, Network Adapter MAC Address, RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc), Processor Type, Processor Serial Number, Hard Drive Device, Hard Drive Volume Serial Number, CD?ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM."

You would need to change the network adapter plus three additional items to trigger a reactivation request.

You do not need a registry edit to change your network configuration:

Delete all of your current Internet connections.

Run the Wizard, specify you use a Lan connection, it will ask if the connection requires a username and password, say yes and enter the information.

I am a little confused, though. You have a PPoE DSL connection using cable?

Make sure you are not using any PPoE "dialer" software except for the native XP service.

 

[GLScpo]

Your comments on what caused the product activation were correct based ont the following...... My network adapter died on me about a month ago and I have a new one in my computer, it has worked fine, in fact better, I must have been getting alot of retries on my old network card before it died completely. Two weeks ago I purchased a scanner and digital camera, both connecting via two different USB ports. Then I added the mouse yesterday, I guess it's the third hardware item???

Also, with regard to the cable question, I use SBC DSL, it is not cable service, I plug into a phone jack and have a DSL modem that has a port to run the cat 5 cable to the PC.

Thanks for the reply...

 

[bcastner]

"I errored when I left my DSL cable modem connected, when setup ran it detected the modem, DHCP and an IP address from my ISP. "

That is why I asked, as it confused me.

Reactivation is no big deal. I have one machine I have done 3 times because of hardware changes. The Microsoft folks have never blinked an eye.

If you follow the advice above about deleting the existing connection and running the Wizard you should be fine. Here is a step-by-step guide you might want to print:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283070

 

[smah]

See if one of the links in this thread fit your condition thread779-532765

 

[YBNormal]

Did you check out this article:
Make New Connection Wizard Selections Are Unavailable and Other Issues Occur with the Network Connections Folder

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281625

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining.
- Jeff Raskin

 

[smah]

That's one of the three possibilities in the thread that I referenced.

 

[piggy418]

you half to go to your registry regedit

 

[azaghal]

Hey GLScpo,

My name is Travis, and I actually am a technician for sbc internet services. I encounter this issue on an almost daily basis. Here is the link that I give to my customers.

Try step 4, and if that doesn't work, try 6.
This works for my customers {in most cases}, and has worked for me.

http://www.carricksolutions.com/windowsxp.php

Give it a try.
You can reach me at azaghal@graffiti.net if you have any further questions.

 

[ddisco22]

there is a fix for that go to support.microsoft.com and do search for article Q320558, will show you how to edit reg. it works.