The connection is created automatically when
a device driver loads that reports it is network-capable.
You can't create it yourself. (There also is a service that
needs to start in order for network connections
to appear so you might check services and the
event log.)
The first thing to check if you are having these
kinds of difficulties this week is to see if the Blaster
worm has infected your system. It can cause all sorts
of bizarre problems, including the one you're reporting.
Make sure the ADSL device or adapter is functioning,
the driver is loading and so forth. If it is a device
you can move (USB, PCI, etc.), then try it in a different
slot or socket -- this will auto-create a new connection.
Steve Duff, MCSE
Ergodic Systems, Inc.