Indeed ady4um, I apologise- I'm not so good with the terminology having had no training and piecemeal self education, so please bear with me. I will try my best
By my network functioning normally I meant that I could access the internet (it's all I use netbook and home netwok for) , and the connection showed properly in the notification window (from the system tray? Bottom right)- it is here that I meant it looks normal, rather than the actual network connections page. I don't believe my network connections page has been functioning normally since the first uninstallation of AIS- I think it has been totally blank.
Thanks bob3160 for the link. Unfortunately that was for XP, whilst I'm on Windows 7 Starter. It did lead me to this page however
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistanetworking/thread/19daf9d3-48ef-40c4-82ba-3e8931189486/ Even though this was for Vista, I have gone through every process detailed on that page with the exception of using the clean boot method. This is what I think I must try next, as it's the only option I have left to go with.
I'm not sure how to progress immediately next though- I've system restored to before the uninstallation of AIS so the network connection is open, though it's not a 'clean' restore it seems, and AIS doesn't work correctly. Should I uninstall AIS before I do this clean boot method to try to recover my network connection icons?
If I do, and my connection settings are reset by the firewall change, any subsequent recovery of my network connection icons might not lead me to the correct settings.
On the other hand, I might go through this clean boot process and somehow recover my icons, only to have it all thrown into disarray again by the uninstall of AIS. (but i guess at least I should have some settings then, and can try to address the lack of icons again if the issue remains)
Clearly I don't have much of a clue as to how all these bits integrate. Should I uninstall the dodgy AIS (and thereby close my network connections) before I progress any further with this clean boot method?
Any advice on anything would be welcomed. I am a little out of my depth, but live in a very rural location and professional help isn't an option for at least another week.
If all else fails I've noticed the reset to factory settings button
Could be a drastic but pragmatic solution? Does this reset to before the OS was installed? I have no way to reinstall windows
Many thanks