In case people are still having issues with this (as I was) I found the answer here:
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-server-help/1141789.htmThis is an excerpt from the post:
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Start with an elevated command prompt
The following procedure will show no-longer-connected devices in Device
Manager for Server 2008.
1) Open a command window with elevated privileges (Start -> Right-click
"Command Prompt", select "Run as Administrator")
2) In the command window, execute the following commands:
SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
START DEVMGMT.MSC
The second command starts the Device Manager. It MUST be started from the
elevated-privilege command window for this procedure to work.
3) In Device Manager, click the VIEW menu item and select "Show hidden
devices".
This should show any hidden devices. For network adapters, expand the
network adapters node. Right-Click any device you wish to remove, and click
Uninstall.