LAN is removed from the Network Connections page

I understand that Windows XP is designed to create a Local Area Connection (LAN) for each and every NIC it detects. I've been with this old laptop of mine for quite a while. I don't absolutely love it, I'd much prefer my non-obsolete newer DS system. Heck, this laptop doesn't even have a Core 2 Duo. Bringing this thing along is inevitable, though, since I'm not going to be lugging around a 32-pound powerhouse, but now this piece of scrap metal has REALLY done it. This Dell's been giving me some serious BS in last times I've used it, but now its gone past the line. It's gone and deleted my LAN settings. I know that every time Windows detects a broadband chip, it's supposed to make a LAN for it. Before this, I think I had a LAN, LAN 2, LAN 3, and 1394/Mini-Firewire connection. Now, nothing... Good-bye wired high-speed internet, R.I.P. until this scrap heap starts cooperating with me. Restart after restart, driver update after update, nothing's working. I've gone to google for help, no one in their right mind knows what the heck they're talking about. I've gone to Microsoft for help, but you have to PAY to get assistance. Can you believe that? I'm not forking over $60 to get help for a bug that they didn't fix! RIDICULOUS! Anyone here got a solution for this problem?? It's impossible to do anything with this hunk of junk without at least 100 Mbps, and the wireless on this lags and runs at 54 Mbps. Grrrrrrrrr, excuse me if i sound a bit pissed off right now, well, when have I not been pissed off with this thing... Thanks.