Windows XP: Network Cable is Unplugged Message, Red X on Network Icon

Windows XP: Network Cable is Unplugged Message, Red X on Network Icon

ISSUE:
Find out why a red X appears over the network icon in the system tray.

Figure 1: Red X over network icon

SOLUTION:
The red X over the network icon appears when the PC is disconnected from the network. Some of the reasons might be:
The PC is not currently connected to a network.
The network cable is not connected.
DSL or Cable modem is locked up and needs to have the power cord unplugged and then plugged back in after five seconds.
The network connection is actually disabled (re-enable by right-clicking the network connection icon and select Enable).
There is a problem with the network setup. Please refer to the following articles to troubleshoot the type of network connection you are using:

Wireless Networking
Resolving Cable, DSL, or Other Broadband Internet Connection Problems
Problems Connecting to the Internet; Dial-Up Modem Troubleshooting

If the PC is not connected to a network, you can remove the red X by disabling the connection.
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then click Network Connections.
Right-click the network connection icon and select Disable.
To enable the connection as needed, perform the steps again and select Enable.

NOTE:
To make this process much easier in the future, drag and drop the connection icon from the Network Connections window onto your Windows desktop. Doing so, creates a desktop icon that you can right-click and enable/disable easily.