vpn device missing

First I'd like to say that this a real problem and other folks are having it.
I'm an MCSE and professional admin and have been since the days of NT4 so I
do have a clue and this isn't a minor configuration issue. Now the details.

I was using vista to connect to a PPTP server and it has been working for
months until recently. When I now attempt to connect it wants to dial in. I
checked the connection properties and under the connect using header it shows
a red x and "Removed WAN Miniport (L2TP) (VPN0-0)" I have tried almost all
of the solutions you see when you do a google search for "vista vpn device
missing" to no avail.

I have followed the procedure in article 953795 and it hasen't helped.

Another clue is that the system tray and network map show I'm not connected
to the Internet when I am. I'm posting this while it says I'm not connected.
I have seen numerous posts about the network map being wrong. I'm guessing
that most of these people are having the same problem, but they probably
don't use L2TP/PPTP VPN connections. Another thing I have tried is creating
a new VPN connection. I'm open for other suggestions.

Thanks