Weird problem - Internet connection sharing does not even appear!

[BBDefender]

Hi Guys,

REALLY weird one here but its doing my nut as its stopping me upgrading my network!

Basically, I bought a new HD for a computer the other day. Fitted it this evening, no probs. Formatted it and reinstalled windows (a genuine paid for copy as well ). Got the broadband up and running and installed all available windows updates, service pack 2 was the main one obv. Everything was running SWEET LIKE A DREAM as all fresh installs do, but then I came to set it up as the main network computer. I tried to run the network setup wizard as per usual. It appeared to work ok but then always at the end it said "The wizard encountered an error and could not complete, you can set up manually or try again with different settings". All my settings were ok and the same as my old networks main computer - there was no info offered by it as to what this error was. I then tried to turn on internet connection sharing by hand where a weird thing presented itself. Going to the bt broadband connections properties and clicking on the advanced tab (this is where the ICS options are usually present) There was the usual windows firewall s*** but.........no ICS options at all! Just blank underneath! Never seen this before so I put my win xp cd in to check all the necessary components had been installed - they had so no joy there. I then used system recovery to roll back the updates I had installed - no joy, I then disabled all firewalls/virus scanner software - no joy. Where the hell are my options? Whys the wizard not working! And how do I sort it all - most importantly getting my ICS back! Any help gratefully appreciated its doing my nut in

BBDefender

[BBDefender]

It was the ethernet drivers, XP had installed generic drivers which showed the LAN connection, however they were not working properly. This confused me obv as everything was reported as being OK. However when I got hold of the correct drivers and installed them this cured the problem and the options became available to me as per usual and the network set up ok.