Force removing network connections/hardware

[dignick]

When recently trying to install an ADSL modem, It created some new network connections. These connections are now Unnecessary, but I can't remove them. When I disable them and then try to remove them, it gives the error 'the connection you selected can not be deleted'. Each connection for some reason also has it's respective virtual (it isn't acctually another piece of hardware) hardware entry in device manager, which I can't remove because it says 'failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot up the computer'. I know these items are completely unessesary, so I want to force an uninstall of them. When I contacted the manufacturer, they said the easiest way to do it would be a system restore, but it has deleted the system restore's that I need as they are too old.

Any help uninstalling these connections/virtual hardware?

 

[soaplover]

In device manager select "view" show hidden devices .
Now look in non plug and play drivers .
Maybe you will find something there .

//Soaplover

 

[bcastner]

You likely can remove them in Safe Mode without networking. What are the devices you want to remove? It would not be unusual for an ADSL modem to require at least one PPoE "virtual" device.

 

[dignick]

The modem does need one virtual device, but it doesn't need the others or thier respective connections, as it works with them disabled. They only came about because we couldn't get it working, so we took it out, and messed around it a bit, and somehow managed to install it more than once. I'm just about to try in safe mode, if it works i will post.

 

[bcastner]

Some thoughts in Safe mode.

1. When I am asked to look at issues like this, I quickly write the following .cmd file in Notepad, and reboot into Safe Mode without Networking and run the command file I created. Lets call it removit.cmd:

rem Start of cut/paste removeit.cmd

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start c:\windows\system32\devmgmt.msc

rem End of cut/paste

This launches Device Manager, but you still need to first Click View, Show all hidden devices.

Now you can see all of your devices.

2. Unless the device is actually causing a problem, leave it alone. If the Device description begings "Wan Miniport" it is likely best to just leave it.

 

[dignick]

Sorry guys for waisting your time, I sorted it by doing a system restore just before i was messing with it, uninstalled it as it didn't work then, then reinstalled it, disabled one unecessary connection and it works great now. I'm not patricularly bothered about getting rid of the disabled one, because it is normally installed anyway, and it isn't bothing me like the other ones were. Thanks again.