Windows XP Network Connection Icon Missing

Subscriber Robin wrote from the U.K. to tell me about a problem she was having with her computer’s Internet connection — and wrote again to say that she’d solved the problem, too.

Hi Terry

I am a subscriber to your newsletter which always contains some good tips and advice.

My problem is that when I connect to the internet through my Speedtouch modem router, I used to see a small icon on my task bar (near where the antivirus icon shows) that looked like a small blue/grey television. I noticed a few days ago that this icon had vanished. I then went into Network Connections and unchecked the box to “show an icon when connected” and then re-checked the box again. I have had to do this previously when I had manually closed my internet connection before shutting down my computer and it worked ok.

However, this time it did not work and I also noticed that in Network Connections, my internet connection always shows disconnected, even when I am connected, which I suppose explains why the icon is missing!

How do I now get my internet connection in Network Connections, to correctly show whether or not I am connected to the internet?

I have googled this and although several others seem to have this problem, I have not found anything to solve the problem. Can you help?

Details of my system are:-
Windows XP home edition with SP3 and all the updates.
Broadband connected through Tiscali.co.uk.
Speedtouch ST585 v6 modem router.
Regards
Robin

Before I could respond to Robin with some suggestions or answers, she solved the problem herself.

Hi Terry
Regarding my attached email that I previously sent you regarding the missing tv icon (I should have said missing icon showing two small computers), I have now found what caused the problem but not the resolution to the problem.

I found that the connection icon with the two small computers that was missing from my taskbar at the bottom right hand of the screen, came back when I uninstalled the free Online Armor firewall and the connection correctly showed whether I was connected or not. I downloaded and installed another copy of Online Armor but the problem returned. I therefore uninstalled Online Armor and downloaded and installed the free ZoneAlarm firewall and the problem was resolved.

Thought you would like to know just in case anyone else asked the question.
Regards
Robin