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Q206145: Random Characters Appear in Network Adapters List

Article: Q206145
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbhw kbnetwork kbHardware
Last Modified: 06-AUG-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
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IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you 
modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore 
the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the 
registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

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: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems
that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot
guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor
incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

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 and 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:

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Keywords          : kbenv kbhw kbnetwork kbHardware 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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