I posted this message on the Linux Mint forums but have not gotten an answer yet. LQ is much more active so I have decided to see if someone can help me here.

I have Linux Mint 13 (MATE).

I recently purchased a VPN to allow me to watch TV from the U.S. When I went to install it this is what I did:

1. Installed openvpn network-manager-openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome
2. Went to Control Panel > Networking --> There was not VPN option
3. Terminal > sudo service network-manager restart
4. Manually created /etc/openvpn/ca.crt and put the cert into there.
5. Now the icon appeared in the tray. I right clicked the icon and setup a VPN connection.
6. Tried to connect but it didn't seem to connect at all.
7. Lost all internet connection.
8. Restarted the network-manager again.
9. Still no internet. Could ping within my network but couldn't reach outside my network
10. Rebooted my computer.
11. Internet back. Icon in bottom right shows Networking Disabled (even though internet is back)
12. Right click icon in tray --> turn on networking
13. Try to connect to VPN --> Nothing showing, no notification of failed or successful attempt to connect.
14. Posting a message on the forums.

I'm puzzled. I have no idea what is going on. I think that maybe there is two networking managers installed because when I go to the Network Manager from within the Control Panel it does not show any VPN options, but in the connection manager in the right shows the VPN tab but it does not seem to be connecting.

Can someone please help me get this going?

P.S. Further testing revealed that I can successfully connect via commandline using:
sudo openvpn config.ovpn

In case anyone is having the same issue. I finally solved the issue by doing the following:

1. Control Panel > Network Settings > Wired (Properties) and deactivated this connection.
2. Connection Manager > Wired > Add New Connection and select your interface (i.e. eth0)
3. Then reboot computer
4. Then connection manager will show connection.
5. Add VPN and will connect.