Silvertones:
Separate computers is a good idea. I just don't have the space to do that.

Bob:
Concerning your idea of going to:
"Control Panel – Network and Internet – Network and Sharing Center – click disconnect

When you're finished, follow the same path - click connect." ... would that require the computer to reconfigure the IP address each time I hit connect?

I don't know much about how that works.

Also, regarding the idea of just pulling the cable: If I got an ethernet cable connector with two cables and had the connector is a convenient place, would that also work?

Thanks.

John