New xp-pro user ?'s-help-long

Given xp-pro for xmas-coming from 98se-doing clean install. Starting
over, wiped xp off new machine-P4-with built in intel 10/100 lan. Using
a Diva lan isdn (right-can't get dsl) external router that is always on
because it is my home phone lines also, but is NOT connected to the web
to my ISP in any way until I open the browser to surf. I had
file/printer sharing off. Did not have this problem in 98-I'll explain.

From what I see in xp-pro, I want to be the only user, no default-no
other user-no other machine attached-I am the only user and
administrator. I don't have to deal with other profiles, in what xp
thinks is a network, the only network involved is me, (xp thinks I'm not
the administrator), the lan router, and connecting to net. Because of
the way xp functions, I suppose, me being a user in this network, a lot
of what I try to access in the computer, windows explorer (not IE), some
device manager functions, folders, etc. etc., it thinks I'm trying to do
some networking with something, and brings up the connection. I
disconnected the router 6 times in a row this morning, because xp
thinking me the user, was trying to do some networking functions on the
computer, (not the web), and it must connect to the network and bring up
the connection for me to do this.

How do I stop all of this? I want to be the only user and admin., no
other profiles, and have xp know that whatever I do, it does not need to
bring up the connection for a network, (there is really none until I
browse the web), until I open the browser and start to access the web as
in 98se.

Thanks-if you can help, and I will give more info if this is not enough.
I re-read this, I'll add, in 98se, the only thing I have in Network
folder is the tcp/ip, and standard windows logon. The software for the
diva router takes care of everything else, I don't need DUN, and I have
the proper software and drivers for xp.