Yes.
It comes with an Eithernet cord.
For some crappy reason my computer does not recognize the modem when i plug it into my motherboards eithernet plug. Its really annoying.

And i've noted that people who do use there eithernet get better performance.

You might need a cross-over cable. If you don't have one, barrow a hub from someone and put it between the modem and the PC.

?.

I wouldn't bother.
USB is fine if u have the XP drivers installed.
Those crappy drivers found on the Motorola CD did a part in destroying my hard-drive, from all the auto-reseting (didn't turn it off...learnt my lesson).

dear anny try to stay off downloading updates
some of them updates have malicious code and make your computer crash
or reinstall your operating system and start again or try system repair ?? if you have any probs you can email me i had the same probs from using updates