Unfortunetly all of my PCI slots are full.

Which means unless I use a USB modem I won't have anywhere to install it.

I have this acheing fear that I'm going to run into trouble with my system searching for my network connection!

If you are going to replace the network card, first go into Device Manager, click on the + sign next to network adapters, select the network adapter then remove it.  Then shut down the computer, open the case and physically remove the network card.  Follow  psemar's advice on removing any software that your broadband ISP may have had you install.

Steve

There is really no need to uninstall the network card.  Just unplug the cables from any network.  The drivers take up little space and do not really run any programs.

Steve

It should be auto-sensing so really no need to uninstall anything unless you just want to.

Once you make your Dial-up connection your "default connection" and the broadband access has been disconnected(cable pulled), the PC will revert back to depending on a dial-up connection for all your Internet needs. If you just want to uninstall network, go to Device manager and remove the network driver, keep in mind, if you dont pull network card it will just re-install the next time you boot it up. It will not hurt anything at all to leave it in your PC and leave you network connections active while still maintaining a dial-up connection.

I would reccommend running start>run>msconfig and remove any resident programs not affiliated with antivirus. This will disable these startup services for these programs that will try and update themselves via internet.

 

I almost forgot, whomever the company is that offers your broadband service send these insignificant CD's with loads of software for connecting to your DSL/Cable account. Be sure to uninstall these from the control panel, or uninstall program if they offer it.