My computer (laptop) has both wired and wireless network interfaces. When I use the wired interface and plug my computer into an ethernet port, I lose all connectivity. (How to disable Windows XP Network Bridge)

Disable Network Bridging

Windows XP includes the Network Bridge, a feature of the Network Connections folder that allows a computer with multiple network adapters installed to act as a bridge, connecting multiple LAN segments together to form a single network segment. The most common example is a laptop that has a network interface for a wired network and a network interface for a wireless network, although this may apply to any desktop computer as well.

How to disable Windows XP Network Bridge
Step 1: Open Network Connections

• Start
• Control Panel
• Network And Internet Connections
• Double-click Network Connections

• Start
• Settings
• Control Panel
• Double-click Network Connections

Step 2: Delete the Network Bridge
Under the Network Bridge section, right-click on the Network Bridge icon and select Delete.

A pop-up window will appear while the connection is being deleted....

Verify that the Network Bridge section and icon no longer appear in the Network Connections window.