Windows 2000 Setup Automatically Selects Network Adapter

When you initially install Windows 2000, the automatic selection of the network adapter cannot be changed, regardless of any installation options you select.

To resolve this issue:

1. Complete the Windows 2000 installation process.
2. After your computer restarts, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Hardware.
3. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, click Next, and then click Next.
4. In the Devices box, click your network adapter, click Next, click Yes, I want to uninstall this device, click Next, and then click Finish.
5. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Hardware.
6. Click Next, click Add/troubleshoot a device, and then click Next.
7. In the Devices box, click Add a new device, click Next, click No, I want to select the hardware from a list, and then click Next.
8. In the Hardware types box, click Network Adapters, and then click Next.
9. Click the appropriate network adapter manufacturer and model, click Next, click Next, and then click Finish.
10. Restart your computer.

To work around this issue, you can use the unattended installation feature to install Windows 2000 and to explicitly specify the network adapter you have installed in your computer. For information about unattended installations, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: