Below is the procedure for removing the ethernet device and then let xp
reinstall it on reboot. Incidentally, if folks are having problems like I did
and even if you are not using Internet connection sharing, your ethernet
device which connects to your gateway router could be hosed up in the same
manner and require removal and re-install. I'm pretty convinced this was a
packet/frame dropping issue:
Right click the 'My computer' icon on the desktop
Select 'Properties'
Select 'Hardware' tab
Select 'Device Manager'
Select 'Network Adapters' by clicking the '+' sign
Right click the adapter connecting the pc to the home lan or gateway router
Select 'Uninstall'
Reboot
XP will find the device again and reload the drivers for it.
If you don't want to use file and print sharing and QOS, be sure to go to
Network and Internet connections from control panel, Change settings for the
device and unselect file and print sharing and qos.
Hope this helps!!