cannot rename network adapter in Device Manager

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Guest

I recently updated the driver of my wireless card. Under Network Adapters in
Device Manager, Vista is now referring to it as: its name followed by "#2".

I was wondering how I could get rid of that "#2" since it's still the same
card. XP had a rename function in the properties menu, but Vista does not. In
the configuration window for the card, under the details tab, it's name is
listed with the "#2" under Friendly Name, yet I can't change it from there
either.

Cheers,
Delta_J
 
Thanks for your input, Joe, but I feel that I must remind you that I have
Vista installed, not XP. Hitting F2 doesn't do a thing. I believe I have
already stated that the usual rename function was present in XP but for some
reason has been taken out of Vista.

I am talking about the "friendly name" of the adapter in Device Manager, not
Network Connections, as that was easy to fix by renaming a couple registry
entries.

Perhaps someone knows what registry value to change? I am well aware of the
risks of messing around in the registry in case an MVP feels reluctant to
offer any instructions on doing so.

But thanks anyway, Joe.

Cheers,
Delta_J
 
Hmm. In Vista ultimate if you open network and sharing center, click on
Manage Network Connections, click on the network adapter (once) and hit the
F2 key it allows you to change it's name.

Joe
 
"Joe said:
Hmm. In Vista ultimate if you open network and sharing center, click on
Manage Network Connections, click on the network adapter (once) and hit the
F2 key it allows you to change it's name.

Joe
Click to expand...

That changes the name of the network connection that uses the network
adapter. It doesn't change the name of the network adapter itself.

To see what network adapter a network connection uses, right-click the
network connection, click Properties, and look in the "Connect using"
box. For example, my "Local Area Connection" network connection uses
the "CNet PRO200WL PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter" network adapter.

Device Manager shows the network adapter name, not the network
connection name.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Yep. I assumed he wanted to change the name of the connection. I.e.
instead of it saying "Local area connection #2" he wants it to say "Local
Area Connection".

Joe
 
Thank you for your input, Steve, but I already know how to determine which
adapter Vista is using to establish the connection. As Joe said, my point is
that I'd like to be able to change the number following the name of the
adapter as recognized by Vista. This is purely out of curiosity on how to
keep the interface clean. I'm having no problems connecting to my intended
network.

To be honest, I don't really see why Windows, no matter which version, keeps
adding numbers to the names of the devices it recognizes. It added the #2
after I updated the driver, which seems odd since it's the same device and I
did not uninstall the old driver prior to the update.

Let me know,
Delta_J
 
Thank you for your input, Steve, but I already know how to determine which
adapter Vista is using to establish the connection. As Joe said, my point is
that I'd like to be able to change the number following the name of the
adapter as recognized by Vista. This is purely out of curiosity on how to
keep the interface clean. I'm having no problems connecting to my intended
network.

To be honest, I don't really see why Windows, no matter which version, keeps
adding numbers to the names of the devices it recognizes. It added the #2
after I updated the driver, which seems odd since it's the same device and I
did not uninstall the old driver prior to the update.

Let me know,
Delta_J
Click to expand...

I know what you want to do. I was simply pointing out that what Joe
described was something different.

In the very first message that you posted, you said that XP has a
rename function for devices in the properties menu. I can't find that
function anywhere in XP's Device Manager. Please describe how to get
to it.

I've found a registry hack in XP that changes the name of a network
adapter in Device Manager. When I have more time, I'll see if it
works in Vista . . .
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Wait a minute, I think what I meant to say for XP at the start of this thread
is what Joe described. Sorry about the confusion. Naturally, Vista has the
same rename capability of the connection in Network Connections as XP: "Loca
Area Connection" vs. "Local Area Connection 2". I know of the registry hack
for when it gives the error that another network by that name is already
being used.

I'm glad you know what I'm finally talking about, Steve, but please feel
free to share the registry hack even before you had the time to try it
yourself. I know the risks of dabbling in the registry and don't worry, I
won't sue MS if I mess up my system :)

Cheers, sorry for not being clear initially.

Delta_J
 
Wait a minute, I think what I meant to say for XP at the start of this thread
is what Joe described. Sorry about the confusion. Naturally, Vista has the
same rename capability of the connection in Network Connections as XP: "Loca
Area Connection" vs. "Local Area Connection 2". I know of the registry hack
for when it gives the error that another network by that name is already
being used.

I'm glad you know what I'm finally talking about, Steve, but please feel
free to share the registry hack even before you had the time to try it
yourself. I know the risks of dabbling in the registry and don't worry, I
won't sue MS if I mess up my system :)

Cheers, sorry for not being clear initially.

Delta_J
Click to expand...

OK, here's what I found in XP to rename a PCI or USB network adapter:

1. In Device Manager, go to the network adapter's Properties >
Details, and find the DeviceInstanceID (which Vista calls "Device
Instance Path").

2. In Regedit, open HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI or
HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB.

3. Open the subkey that corresponds to the DeviceInstanceID. You
might have to go down more than one level.

4. Modify the value of "DeviceDesc". You might have to right-click
the registry key and change the permissions to give yourself full
control.

I don't work for Microsoft, so promise that you won't sue me, either,
if you mess up your system. :-)

I can't get that to work in Vista. Even when I run Regedit as
Administrator and give Everyone full control, I get an error trying to
write the value's new contents.

I wonder if the reason you got "#2" in the network adapter name is
that something changed the NIC's Device Instance Path. There might be
more than one entry for the device under the PCI or USB key. If so,
here's something that might work (but I haven't tried it):

1. Start Vista in Safe mode with networking.

2. Open a command prompt window as Administrator.

3. Type these command lines:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
cd %SystemRoot%\System32
start devmgmt.msc

4. In Device Manager, click View > "Show hidden devices".

5. If there are multiple instances of the NIC, remove all of them.

6. Reboot normally to reinstall the NIC.

What's the XP registry hack that you can use when another network
connection by that name is already being used?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Thanks a million, Steve! :) Don't worry, I won't sue anyone. I followed your
first list of instructions for the registry.

I opened the HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI list of entries, but
there is no DeviceInstanceID subkey, and the DeviceDesc key doesn't contain
the information for the name of the adapter by which Vista identifies my
network card. The FriendName subkey, though, is the one corresponding to the
"#2". I gave myself full permissions and managed to delete the "#2". Thanks
again for pointing this out!!

As for checking for multiple entries in the Device Instance Path, I haven't
checked those yet but I will as soon as I'm done writing this reply.

The XP registry hack to rename the Network Connections name is the same as
the one I used successfully in Vista hoping it was a related entry to the
FriendName one:

HLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet2\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. Then I just
looked for the subentry that contained the FriendlyName subkey with the name
of my network card. I didn't need to change the permissions to change the
Network Connection name.

Cheers and thanks a lot!!

Delta_J
 
Thanks a million, Steve! :) Don't worry, I won't sue anyone. I followed your
first list of instructions for the registry.
Good.

I opened the HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI list of entries, but
there is no DeviceInstanceID subkey, and the DeviceDesc key doesn't contain
the information for the name of the adapter by which Vista identifies my
network card. The FriendName subkey, though, is the one corresponding to the
"#2". I gave myself full permissions and managed to delete the "#2". Thanks
again for pointing this out!!
Click to expand...

I didn't say to look for a subkey named DeviceInstanceID. Look for a
subkey with the same name that appears under Device Instance Path in
the network adapter's properties. On my computers, those names start
with VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxxxxxx&REV_xx.

I don't see a subkey named FriendName or FriendlyName for any network
adapters on my Vista computers. I wonder why you do and I don't.
As for checking for multiple entries in the Device Instance Path, I haven't
checked those yet but I will as soon as I'm done writing this reply.
Click to expand...

I didn't suggest checking Device Instance Path. I suggested booting
in Safe mode, showing hidden devices, and looking for multiple copies
of the same device.
The XP registry hack to rename the Network Connections name is the same as
the one I used successfully in Vista hoping it was a related entry to the
FriendName one:

HLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet2\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. Then I just
looked for the subentry that contained the FriendlyName subkey with the name
of my network card. I didn't need to change the permissions to change the
Network Connection name.
Thanks.

Cheers and thanks a lot!!
Click to expand...

You're welcome!
Delta_J
Click to expand...
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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