network-manager disappeared and won't come back

[keevill]

For some reason, I can't get network-manager to appear on the task bar so that I can edit the connections.
Also, network manager doesn't appear in system/prefs menu.
if I try typing at the terminal 'sudo nm-applet" it says "An instance of nm-applet is already running.

** (nm-applet:9074): WARNING **: <WARN> constructor(): Couldn't initialize the D-Bus manager."

If I inspect the system | preferences | startup apps , network manager is selected with the command "nm-applet --sm-disable".

I can see "network-manager" shown in /etc/inid.d but "sudo network-manager" gives "command not found".
Anyone know what I have to do to get it working ?
Uninstalling and re-installing hasn't worked.

I have tried installing Wicd and that shows Lan & wireless connections ok but it *doesn't show my usb data-dongle* which I've just got working using the very useful application UsbModem_Switch by Draisberghof .

So the workaround for me is to call that connection manually ( if I need to use the usb data-card dongle ) with the command "sudo usb_modeswitch -W -c /etc/usb_modeswitch.d/0471:1210".

However, if I can get the network-manager applet thing to show up and use that it would be easier.

Or is there a better alternative to Wicd which can handle usb data-card modem connections ?
Using Ubuntu 10.04 32bit.

-keevill-

[firbolg]

Have you lost notification area?

Right click panel - Add to Panel - Notification Area

[keevill]

Have you lost notification area?

Right click panel - Add to Panel - Notification Area

It's not available to add to Panel.
-keevill-

[keevill]

May I respectfully 'Bump' this topic - I really am stumped how to get this working....