WHEN IS A SECOND HARDWARE PROFILE USEFUL?

Separate hardware profiles are used when your computer is capable of having different hardware configurations, for example, a laptop that operates both independently or docked in a desktop "station." However, some network software may also appear to add "hardware" elements, which can cause problems with normal network behavior when this hardware is not in use.

Third-party VPN clients may add an adaptor object to the list of installed network hardware in Control Panel. If these third-party objects cause conflicts with network adaptors installed in the computer, the computer can be rendered incapable of communicating by either adaptor. You can work around this dilemma by creating a separate hardware profile and installing the VPN software in the second profile. The VPN adaptor object will only appear in the profile where you install it.

First, rename the original profile to "network" by starting the System applet in Control Panel. Click on the Hardware tab and click on Original Configuration. Click Rename and, in the To box, type NETWORK. OK your change. Now, with "Network" highlighted, click on Copy. In the To box, type VPN, and OK your changes. Click OK again to close the System applet.

Now reboot the computer and select the VPN profile from the configuration menu when Windows starts. When Windows starts, install the VPN software and check that it works. Following the reboot, check the Network profile to see that the adaptor object is not listed. If the VPN adaptor appears, reopen the System applet under Control Panel and select the Device Manager tab. Locate the VPN adaptor object on the list of devices and double-click it. On the General tab, click the Network check box to clear the adaptor object from the Device Usage area, and then click OK. The VPN object will no longer operate under the Network profile.