High Speed Internet(DSL)on cross platforms
 

This is more of an annoyance than a serious problem but in configuring AT&T DSL in the "live" CD versions of Puppy Linux and Freespire I find that subsequently Windows XP will not recognize the Ethernet card. The somewhat clumsy fix I've come up with is to shut down XP, remove the card and boot up. Then shut down XP again, reinstall the card and reboot. Windows XP will then inevitably find the card. Can anyone tell me why this anomaly occurs since both versions of Linux and Windows show the connection as eth0? I'd like to install Freespire as a dual boot but only if there's a more intuitive way of getting on the internet across operating systems.

This is bizzare behavior, to say the least. I have never know an ethernet card to retain configuration information across a shutdown and re-boot.

I'm wondering if you could try a few things. After running either linux, try a power off and power on of your DSL modem. I'm guessing there is something residual left there messing up XP.

Could you confirm if you have a router or not? They can store information and pass it back as well.

Some of the newer DSL modems are routers as well. ( two devices in one box ) If you have only one device between your hardware system, and the phone line, could you post the make and model information of the Modem?