Network connections folder

Network connection icons are missing from the Network Connections folder in Windows XP
The former is a link offering a possible solution to a problem I have with my PC.
My PC came equipped with two methods of connecting to a wireless network, 1) with the "Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG" and the other 2) the wireless connection icon found in the Microsoft Network connections folder. The former option is a lot more convoluted and each time in the past when I have wanted to connect to a LOCKED wireless network the procedure has been too complicated for the average person to handle. The first time it was to connect to the locked network a hired computer technician looked at my computer did some things and had it working in no time. The only problem is he never walked me through the procedure. He never told me what he put in the box "encryption" whether it was a 128 bit or not, whether he used hexagonal characters or not etc. So now I sit facing the same predicament but this time no technician since I am overseas.
I would opt for the latter option with the Microsoft Network connections folder because as I remember it is MUCH easier to connect to a locked network via this method than the Intel Pro Wireless one. However, the only problem is that the network connections folder is completely empty! It never used to be empty and I have no idea what magically deleted the contents in the folder. I think I found the solution with the website I mentioned earlier but I don't want this "hotfix" to mess any of the files up on my computer. But the other thing, the hotfix solution assumes that the computer with the problem in question already has a connection the the internet and I can't even do that! I am using my mac for the internet. It connected to the network here in my building no problem. I was only given a 11 digit password to access the network and that sufficed for my mac but the Intel Pro set procedure (since option number 2 for connecting to a wireless network seems to longer be accessible) on my Gateway asks for encryption, a profile name, 64 bit, 128 bit, hexagonal or not etc. I never got any of that information, only that 11 character password.