The skip issue with unplugged ethernet is well discussed and well known. Here's the short version.
1. Windows will keep trying to get an address for all enabled adapters. This may mean that you will get a pause as it waits for the DHCP response to the now disconnected port.
2. Windows will also attempt to connect to any share or printer that you configured. These will cause small delays as well.
Fix?
a. Disable interfaces you don't use.
b. Disconnect from shares.
I will not explain why Windows does this. It suffices that it does.
Bob
I purchased a used Dell C600 on Ebay. It did not have a built in Wifi card. I bought a Linksys wpc54g wifi card and installed it. I have 2 problems. First, if I reboot the computer and start it up without it having the ethernetcable plugged in, it ''skips'', meaning any video played or sounds have a skip, same with the pointer, any function I do has a slight delay. So I figured the wifi card was doing it, but even if I take the wifi card out it doesn't matter. If I start computer with the ethernet cable hooked up, it is fine. (with or without wifi card plugged in). If I start without ethernet cable plugged in, it ''skips'', reguardless if wifi card is plugged in or not.
2nd problem, I bought a used Dlink DI524 wireless router, I know, I know. With the laptop only 2 feet away, I cant get better than 13% strength, and if I move 20 feet away, I lose it all. I plan on buying a new Lynksys wireless router, but now I don't know. The only way I can get the Lynksys wifi card to connect is to have ethernet cable plugged in, then unplug ethernet cable, then it finally hooks up, but only with 11 mbps. The wireless router is for 802.11g. What is wrong??? Is it just a bad router? Or should I return wifi card and go with something different. Thank you.

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